Housing (Landlords)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2699: Concerning landlord-tenant relations.

HB 2699 changes Washington's landlord-tenant laws by requiring landlords to provide 60 days' written notice before ending fixed-term leases without cause (for leases between 6-12 months). It also extends notice periods to 30 days for nonpayment evictions in federally subsidized housing or properties with federally backed mortgages. The bill affects landlords and tenants statewide, particularly those in federally assisted housing programs or properties with federal loans. Key mechanisms include stricter notice requirements for evictions, clearer definitions of "covered" properties, and new rules for lease terminations without cause. These changes aim to provide greater stability for tenants while clarifying landlord obligations under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends eviction notice periods to 60 days for fixed-term leases and 30 days in federally subsidized housing, strengthening tenant protections against sudden displacement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5964: Establishing an independent living ombuds to support seniors living in independent living facilities and the independent living portion of continuing care retirement communities.

SB 5964 creates a new state office for a senior independent living ombuds to assist residents of senior housing communities that do not provide medical care (like standard independent living facilities or non-licensed portions of retirement communities). The ombuds will handle complaints about landlord-tenant issues, contract disputes, and facility conditions, while tracking data on these concerns. Facilities must post the ombuds' contact information for residents and prospective residents before agreements are signed. The ombuds cannot issue sanctions but will investigate issues, provide resources, and report annual data to the legislature on resident concerns.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates ombuds to resolve tenant complaints in senior housing facilities, strengthening tenant protections within housing communities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tags Seniors

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 6237: Concerning rental property disclosures of flooding history and flood risk.

SB 6237 requires landlords in Washington to disclose flood risk information to tenants for new rental agreements signed after December 31, 2026. Specifically, landlords must inform tenants if a property is in a flood hazard area, clarify that landlord insurance typically doesn’t cover tenant belongings, and recommend renters’ and flood insurance. They must also provide details on where to access local flood hazard maps from county governments. This law directly affects renters in flood-prone areas and landlords who must include these disclosures in lease agreements. The bill aims to increase transparency about flood risks without changing insurance requirements or costs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to disclose flood risks and insurance coverage to tenants, strengthening tenant protections by enabling informed rental decisions regarding safety and financial risks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2664: Modifying requirements for service of unlawful detainer notices and other notices served in the same manner.

HB 2664 modifies how eviction notices (unlawful detainer notices) and similar legal notices must be delivered in Washington state. It clarifies service methods when tenants are absent or untraceable, allowing notices to be left on the property and mailed to the last known address, with a mandatory 5-day waiting period after mail delivery before eviction actions can begin. The bill directly affects tenants facing eviction, landlords seeking possession, and property management companies (including corporate owners). Key provisions specify acceptable service locations, required mailing procedures, and define how subtenants are handled in lodging situations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds 5-day waiting period for eviction notices, strengthening tenant protections against sudden displacement85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 6200: Concerning renters' and mobile home occupants' ability to install portable cooling devices.

This bill allows renters and mobile home occupants in Washington to install portable cooling devices (like window units or floor models) without landlord approval, with key exceptions for safety, building codes, or existing heat pumps. Landlords cannot charge fees for installation or restrict devices, but may require proper drainage and 48-hour notice for inspections. They must disclose insurance restrictions on window units in leases and inform tenants of their rights. The law does not override existing disability accommodation requirements or landlord responsibilities for electrical issues caused by tenant devices.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant rights by allowing renters to install cooling devices without landlord fees or restrictions, directly protecting tenants' housing conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 6139: Concerning partial rental payments and rental payment methods of an unlawful detainer action or issuance of a writ of restitution.

SB 6139 requires landlords to accept checks (except for tenants with recent bounced checks) and provide receipts for cash or non-cash payments. It clarifies that partial rent payments made during an eviction case do not restart a lease, stop eviction proceedings, or change the five-day deadline for full payment. The bill directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords handling rental payments in court disputes. Tenants must still pay the full rent amount by the court deadline to avoid eviction, regardless of partial payments.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingClarifies partial payments don't stop eviction proceedings, weakening tenant protections by preventing delayed payment from halting forced displacement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 6153: Concerning senior independent housing protections.

Washington's SB 6153 creates protections for seniors living in independent housing communities (like retirement communities designed for seniors who don't need daily care). It requires these facilities to register annually with the state, report occupied/vacant unit counts, and fund a dedicated ombuds program to resolve resident complaints about management issues. The bill establishes a statewide database tracking senior housing inventory and mandates a trained ombuds office to handle disputes related to landlord-tenant laws, without conflicting with existing healthcare facilities. This directly affects seniors in these housing types, who previously lacked specialized advocacy services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates protections for senior housing residents via ombuds program, registration, and complaint resolution, strengthening tenant protections in housing communities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2022: Concerning reforms of landlord-tenant laws.

HB 2022 limits landlords' ability to evict tenants without cause by requiring 60 days' advance written notice for month-to-month leases or fixed-term leases initially lasting 6-12 months. It expands the list of valid "causes" for eviction to include rent nonpayment, lease breaches (like unauthorized subletting), waste or nuisance, and owner occupancy/sale scenarios - each requiring specific notice periods (30-90 days). The bill also prevents landlords from ending fixed-term tenancies without cause after the initial period unless they provided 60 days' notice and met lease duration requirements. These changes directly affect tenants in Washington state rental properties, particularly those in month-to-month or short-term leases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by limiting no-cause evictions and requiring specific notice periods for valid reasons, directly advancing tenant rights in housing policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5222: Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement.

SB 5222 limits annual rent and fee increases for Washington tenants to 7% (with specific exemptions), requires landlords to provide written notice for increases, and bans excessive or arbitrary fees. It directly affects all renters under Washington’s residential and manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant acts, including households with children, seniors, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by rent hikes. Key provisions include allowing tenants to terminate leases without penalty if increases violate the cap, creating a landlord resource center for compliance support, and establishing parity between month-to-month and fixed-term leases. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to enforce violations and recover damages for unlawful rent or fee charges.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent increases to 7%, bans excessive fees, requires notice - directly protects tenants and improves housing stability per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5678: Preparing for revisions to the residential landlord-tenant act by creating a task force and establishing a moratorium on new residential landlord-tenant regulations.

SB 5678 creates a state task force to study Washington's residential landlord-tenant laws and imposes a 36-month moratorium on new local rental regulations. The task force, composed of landlords, tenants, housing advocates, and local government representatives, will examine issues like rent limits, evictions, security deposits, and tenant screening. Local governments (cities, towns, counties) cannot enact new rental rules during the moratorium period, which begins when the bill takes effect. The task force must report its recommendations to the legislature by July 2027, with the bill expiring in 2029.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingMoratorium on new local rental regulations restricts tenant protections and housing development at local level by halting rent limits, eviction rules, and security deposit reforms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track