Bill > HB1501

This bill establishes uniform rules for how common interest community associations (such as condominiums, apartments, and homeowners' associations) must respond to written inquiries from property owners. Under the proposed law, when a unit owner or their authorized agent sends a certified mail inquiry about association governance or operations, the association must provide a substantive written response within 30 days. If the association needs to obtain a legal or third-party opinion, they have up to 60 days to respond. The bill applies to four different types of community associations under Washington state law (chapters 64.90, 64.32, 64.34, and 64.38 RCW). If an association fails to provide a substantive response, they are barred from recovering attorneys' fees and costs in any subsequent legal dispute related to the inquiry. Associations can create reasonable rules about inquiry frequency, such as limiting responses to one inquiry per unit per 30-day period, but owners can still ask multiple questions within a single inquiry. These provisions are set to expire on January 1, 2028, and are designed to improve transparency and communication between property owners and their governing associations.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1501&Year=2025&Initiative=false