{"id":377160,"date":"2017-10-18T10:47:42","date_gmt":"2017-10-18T15:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-tenant-rights-laws.html"},"modified":"2019-05-30T11:29:30","modified_gmt":"2019-05-30T16:29:30","slug":"washington-tenant-rights-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-tenant-rights-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Tenant Rights Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington Tenant Rights Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Many of us will be a party to a residential lease at some point in our lives. As common as lease agreement are, it’s important to understand your legal rights and what’s in your lease before becoming a tenant. If you are a residential renter in Washington state, read on to learn more about your rights as a tenant.<\/p>\r\n

Washington Tenants Rights Overview<\/h2>\r\n

Like all other states, Washington has laws governing the relationships between landlords and tenants. There are some areas that Washington chooses not to regulate. For example, Washington law doesn’t limit how much a landlord can require you to pay as a security deposit<\/a>. There is also no limit on how much a landlord can charge you as a fee for a late rent payment.<\/p>\r\n

On the other hand, Washington law dictates a timeline for your landlord to either return your security deposit<\/a> or provide a list of itemized deductions. Washington law also limits how much your landlord can charge as a bounced check fee.<\/p>\r\n

The below chart provides details of Washington tenants’ rights laws at a glance.<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Security Deposits<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Washington law does not limit how much a landlord can require as a security deposit<\/li>\r\n
  • Security deposit or itemized list of deductions must be provided within 14 days of tenant move-out<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Paying Rent<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Washington law does not limit how much a landlord can charge as a late fee for missed rent payments<\/li>\r\n
  • Washington landlords can charge a bounced check fee of 12% plus cost of collection, not to exceed $40 or the face amount of the check, whatever is less<\/li>\r\n
  • To increase the amount of rent owed on a month-to-month lease, landlords must provide 30 days’ notice<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Living Conditions<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Landlords have an obligation to keep premises fit for human habitation, and comply with applicable housing codes<\/li>\r\n
  • Tenant has the right to "repair and deduct" if landlord fails to make important repairs<\/li>\r\n
  • Landlord must provide notice before entering tenant’s unit<\/li>\r\n
  • Tenant can’t unreasonably withhold consent for landlord to enter to make an inspection or conduct repairs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Discrimination<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • It’s illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, marital and familial status, or military\/veteran status<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Ending or Renewing a Tenancy<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Month to month tenancies can be terminated through written notice of 20 days or more<\/li>\r\n
  • If tenant fails to pay rent, landlord can give 10 days’ notice to pay or quit<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Retaliation<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n