Washington Statutes

In Washington, landlord-tenant law is governed by the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA), codified in RCW Chapter 59.18. The RLTA covers rental agreements, landlord responsibilities, tenant rights, eviction processes, and housing conditions. Recent updates have strengthened notice periods, eviction protections, and habitability standards. Each section is outlined and linked below.

Washington RCW §§ 59.18.060 – Landlord-Duties
Washington RCW §§ 59.18.130 – Duties of tenant
RCW §§ 59.18.280 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Statement and notice of basis for retention-Remedies for landlord’s failure to make refund-Exception
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.270 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Deposit by landlord in trust account-Receipt-Remedies under foreclosure-Claims
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.285 – Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit-Written rental agreement required-Remedies
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.260 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord-Written checklist required
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.063 – Landlord-Written receipts for payments made by tenant
Wash. Rev. Code § 62A.3-515 – Checks dishonored by nonacceptance or nonpayment; liability for interest; rate; collection costs and attorneys’ fees; satisfaction of claim
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.115 – Substandard and dangerous conditions-Notice to landlord-Government certification-Escrow account
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.100 – Landlord’s failure to carry out duties-Repairs effected by tenant-Procedure-Deduction of cost from rent-Limitations
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.310 – Default in rent-Abandonment-Liability of tenant-Landlord’s remedies-Sale of tenant’s property by landlord, deceased tenant exception
Wash. Rev. Code §59.04.030 – Tenancy for specified time-Termination
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.200(1a-b) – [Effective 1/1/2028] Tenancy from month to month or for rental period-End of tenancy-Armed forces exception-Exclusion of children-Conversion to condominium-Demolition, substantial rehabilitation of the premises-Notice
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.050 – Tenancy by sufferance-Termination
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(3) – Unlawful detainer defined
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(4) – Unlawful detainer defined
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(5) – Unlawful detainer defined
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.150(6) – Landlord’s right of entry-Purposes-Searches by fire officials-Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes-Conditions
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.150(5) – Landlord’s right of entry-Purposes-Searches by fire officials-Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes-Conditions
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.290 – Removal or exclusion of tenant from premises-Holding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination date-Attorneys’ fees
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.300 – Termination of tenant’s utility services-Tenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.060 – Landlord-Duties
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.130 – Duties of tenant
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.065 – Landlord-Copy of written rental agreement to tenant
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.257 – Screening of prospective tenants-Notice to prospective tenant-Costs-Adverse action notice-Violation
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(1b) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(2-3) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(4) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.580 – Victim protection-Limitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord’s rental decisions
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.240 – Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord-Prohibited
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.250 – Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord-Presumptions-Rebuttal-Costs
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.140 – Reasonable obligations or restrictions—Tenant’s duty to conform—Landlord’s duty to provide written notice in increase of rent