Seattle Tenant Rights Guide

Seattle and Washington State have strong tenant protections—some of the best in the country. Whether you're dealing with a neglectful landlord, facing eviction, or just want to know your rights before signing a lease, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Just Cause Eviction Protection

Seattle's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance is one of the strongest tenant protections in the country. Landlords can only evict tenants for specific, legally defined reasons:

Your landlord cannot evict you simply because your lease ended, because they want to raise rent higher than you can pay, or because they just want a different tenant. This protection applies to all Seattle rentals.

Your Right to Repairs

Under Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18), landlords must maintain rental units in habitable condition. This is known as the Implied Warranty of Habitability.

Your landlord must provide and maintain:

• Heat — Adequate heating facilities in good working order
• Hot and cold water — Year-round
• Working plumbing — Toilets, sinks, drains
• Electricity — Safe electrical systems
• Weatherproofing — Windows, doors, roof in good repair (important in rainy Seattle!)
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Working locks — On all entry doors
• Pest-free conditions — Landlord must address infestations
• Common area maintenance — Hallways, stairs, parking areas

How to Get Repairs Done

1. Notify your landlord in writing — Email or letter. Keep copies of everything.
2. Give reasonable time to respond — 10 days for most repairs, 24-72 hours for emergencies (no heat, no water, security issues).
3. Document everything — Photos, videos, written records of communication.
4. If landlord doesn't respond: You have several options under Washington law.

Security Deposit Rights

Washington State has specific rules about security deposits:

• No maximum amount — But most Seattle landlords charge one month's rent
• Written checklist required — Landlord must provide condition checklist at move-in AND move-out
• Trust account — Deposit must be held in a trust account in a Washington bank
• 21-day return deadline — Landlord must return deposit within 21 days of move-out
• Itemized statement — Any deductions must be explained in writing
• No deduction for normal wear — Only for actual damage beyond normal use

Rent Increase Rules

Seattle does not have rent control, but there are rules landlords must follow:

• 60-day written notice required — For any rent increase
• No increases during lease term — Unless specified in the lease
• Cannot be retaliatory — Landlord can't raise rent in response to complaints or exercising rights
• Cannot be discriminatory — Must apply equally to similarly situated tenants

First-in-Time Rental Protections

Seattle's First-in-Time rule requires landlords to:

• Post clear, written screening criteria before accepting applications
• Screen applicants in the order applications are received
• Offer the unit to the first qualified applicant

This protects against discrimination and ensures a fair application process for everyone.

Fair Housing Protections

Seattle has some of the strongest fair housing protections in the country. Landlords cannot discriminate based on:

• Race, color, national origin, or ancestry
• Religion or creed
• Sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation
• Age (except in senior housing)
• Disability
• Marital status or familial status (having children)
• Military/veteran status
• Immigration status (Seattle law)
• Source of income (including housing vouchers)
• Criminal history (limited, under Fair Chance Housing)

Eviction Process

Even when a landlord has just cause, they must follow a legal eviction process:

Protection from Retaliation

Washington law protects tenants from retaliation. Your landlord cannot evict you, raise rent, or decrease services because you:

• Complained about repairs or habitability issues
• Reported violations to city inspectors
• Joined or organized a tenants' union
• Exercised any legal right

If negative action is taken within 90 days of protected activity, the law presumes it's retaliatory.

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