Washington Landlord-Tenant Law

When it comes to Washington state rental laws, there are a few specifics landlords need to know:

1. Specific Disclosures – Landlords are required to disclose whether any fees are refundable in the lease. For example, security deposits or pet deposits that are refundable or non-refundable need to be clearly written in the lease for clarity for both parties. 
2. Mold Education – Landlords must provide educational materials on household mold along with the lease. Due to the wet weather in the Pacific Northwest, mold growth can be common in homes which can cause respiratory issues and is dangerous for those who have mold allergies. Landlords are required to fix the problems that cause mold growth such as ensuring proper ventilation.
3. Return of Security Deposit – Landlords must return the remainder of a tenant’s security deposit within 21 days after move-out. The deposit may be the full amount or partial – if it’s partial the landlord must include the deductions and costs in a letter. 
4. Small Claims Court – Tenants have the right to sue landlords for the return of the security deposit or specific contractual violations for up to $5,000. Small claims courts are one of the most efficient ways for renters to recover money owed to them by their landlord. 
5. Special Protections – Like in many states, victims of domestic violence are protected by law and cannot be evicted out of rentals because of their situation. For more details on what constitutes domestic violence, see our resources at the bottom of this page.
6. Rental Applications (Seattle only) – The Fair Chance Housing Act prohibits private landlords from screening for criminal history for any reason, with very minimal exceptions. This law also requires housing providers to include the following statement on tenant applications: “[Housing Provider] is prohibited from requiring disclosure, asking about, rejecting an applicant, or taking adverse action based on any arrest record, conviction record, or criminal history, except sex offender registry information” (WMFHA, 2020). Note: There was a lawsuit filed against this ordinance in 2018 that is currently pending. 
   1. One exception of the Fair Chance Housing Act is if the landlord’s dwelling unit shares a single-family home with the dwelling unit they rent. In this case, landlords can conduct a criminal background screening. 
   2. Another exception is that landlords may search for applicants on local, state, or national sex offender registries.