Bill > SB5313

This bill amends Washington state's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act to expand protections for renters by prohibiting certain provisions in rental agreements. Specifically, the bill adds several new restrictions to what landlords can include in lease agreements, such as preventing tenants from: waiving their right to participate in legal actions against the landlord (including class action lawsuits), signing nondisclosure agreements about lease terms or rent amounts, agreeing to pay late fees for rent paid within five days of the due date, and being required to make rent payments exclusively through electronic means. The bill also maintains existing protections that prevent landlords from demanding tenants waive their legal rights, confess judgment, pay the landlord's attorney fees, or limit the landlord's liability. If a landlord knowingly includes prohibited provisions in a rental agreement, tenants can recover actual damages, potentially receive statutory damages up to twice the monthly rent, and recover court costs and attorney fees. The bill will apply to all leases entered into or renewed on or after its effective date, continuing Washington's trend of strengthening tenant protections in the rental market.