Bill > HB1501

This bill requires common interest community associations, such as those governing condominiums and homeowners' associations, to respond in writing to unit owners' inquiries about association governance or operations within 30 days of receiving a written inquiry sent by certified mail. The response must be substantive, meaning it provides a factual explanation, references governing documents, states current practices, or offers other available information, or the association must notify the owner if more time is needed, for example, to obtain a legal opinion. If a legal or third-party opinion is necessary to provide a substantive response, the association is not required to obtain one unless it's reasonably needed. In any legal dispute arising from such an inquiry, the prevailing party can recover their attorney fees and costs. Associations can establish reasonable rules about the frequency of responses, such as only being obligated to answer one inquiry per unit every 30 days, but owners can ask multiple questions within a single inquiry. Notably, the provisions for apartment owners' associations and homeowners' associations are set to expire on January 1, 2028.

Housing and Urban Affairs

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