Bill > HB2022

This bill addresses reforms to Washington state's landlord-tenant laws, focusing on eviction procedures, notice requirements, and statewide preemption of local rental regulations. The bill makes several key changes to existing law, including modifying when and how landlords can end tenancies. Specifically, it clarifies that landlords can only terminate a tenancy for specific enumerated causes, such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or certain owner-use scenarios. The bill introduces more detailed notice requirements for different types of tenancies, including specifying the length of advance written notice needed for various termination reasons, ranging from 20 to 90 days depending on the circumstance. A significant new provision prohibits cities and towns from enacting their own local ordinances regulating landlord-tenant agreements for residential rental properties, effectively creating a statewide standard for rental agreements. The bill also strengthens tenant protections by requiring landlords to provide specific, detailed written notices that explain the reasons for potential eviction and allow tenants an opportunity to remedy certain violations. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for potential financial penalties against landlords who wrongfully evict tenants, with tenants potentially able to recover economic damages or three times the monthly rent. The legislation includes an expiration date of January 1, 2028, for some of its provisions, suggesting it is intended as a time-limited reform measure.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2022&Year=2025&Initiative=false