SB 5313 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Adding to the list of provisions prohibited from rental agreements.

This bill updates Washington state law by adding new provisions that cannot be included in residential rental agreements between landlords and tenants. It prohibits agreements that require tenants to waive their right to join class actions, sign nondisclosure agreements about lease terms, or pay late fees if rent is paid within five days of its due date. The bill also prevents rental agreements from mandating electronic-only rent payments. If a landlord knowingly uses a rental agreement with prohibited provisions, tenants may recover damages and attorney's fees. These changes apply to leases entered into or renewed on or after July 27, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Signed May 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Bill Passed Legislature · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized and enrolled for the 2025 Regular Session, adding a new section to specify when the new rules take effect. Substantively, the law now prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to use electronic payment methods exclusively and bans mandatory nonessential services like insurance or internet, allowing tenants to opt out without fees. The act also clarifies that late fees can only be charged after the rent due date has passed.
Scope change
A new section was added to clarify that the act applies to leases entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of the section.
TIMELINE

Added a new section specifying that the act applies to leases entered into or renewed on or after the effective date.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the prohibition on requiring electronic rent payments, meaning landlords can now mandate this method.

Revised the rule on nonessential services to explicitly allow landlords to automatically enroll tenants in services like insurance or internet if the tenant fails to pay, charging the cost as additional rent.

Updated the late fee provision to clarify that fees can only be charged starting the day after the rent is due, even if paid within five days.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2025 · House Apr 15, 2025

How they voted

437
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Feb 19, 2025
D Democratic31
30 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican20
13 Yea 7 Nay
65% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
30
Key actions
16
Committee
10
Amendments
1
May 7, 2025
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Apr 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed final passage; yeas, 36; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 0.
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House amendments.
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Amended
Committee amendment not adopted.
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
HSG - Majority; do pass.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors