RCW 59.18.570
Victim protection—Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and RCW 59.18.575 through 59.18.585 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Credit reporting agency" has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 19.182.010(5).
(2) "Domestic violence" has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 7.105.010.
(3) "Household member" means a child or adult residing with the tenant other than the perpetrator of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
(4) "Landlord" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.l8.030 and includes the landlord's employees.
(5) "Qualified third party" means any of the following people acting in their official capacity:
(a) Law enforcement officers;
(b) Persons subject to the provisions of chapter 18.120 RCW;
(c) Employees of a court of the state;
(d) Licensed mental health professionals or other licensed counselors;
(e) Employees of crime victim/witness programs as defined in RCW 7.69.020 who are trained advocates for the program; and
(f) Members of the clergy as defined in RCW 26.44.020.
(6) "Sexual assault" has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 70.125.030.
(7) "Stalking" has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 9A.46.110.
(8) "Tenant screening service provider" means any nongovernmental agency that provides, for a fee, background information on prospective tenants to landlords.
(9) "Unlawful harassment" has the same meaning as in RCW 7.105.010 and also includes any request for sexual favors to a tenant or household member in return for a change in or performance of any or all terms of a lease or rental agreement.
[ 2021 c 215 § 154. Prior: 2009 c 395 § 1; 2004 c 17 § 2.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2022 c 268; 2021 c 215: See note following RCW 7.105.900.
Findings—Intent—2004 c 17: "The legislature finds and declares that:
(1) Domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are widespread societal problems that have devastating effects for individual victims, their children, and their communities. Victims of violence may be forced to remain in unsafe situations because they are bound by residential lease agreements. The legislature finds that the inability of victims to terminate their rental agreements hinders or prevents victims from being able to safely flee domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The legislature further finds that victims of these crimes who do not have access to safe housing are more likely to remain in or return to abusive or dangerous situations. Also, the legislature finds that victims of these crimes are further victimized when they are unable to obtain or retain rental housing due to their history as a victim of these crimes. The legislature further finds that evidence that a prospective tenant has been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking is not relevant to the decision whether to rent to that prospective tenant.
(2) By this act, the legislature intends to increase safety for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking by removing barriers to safety and offering protection against discrimination." [ 2004 c 17 § 1.]
Effective date—2004 c 17: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 15, 2004]." [ 2004 c 17 § 7.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 59 - Landlord and Tenant
Chapter 59.18 - Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.
59.18.020 - Rights and remedies—Obligation of good faith imposed.
59.18.040 - Living arrangements exempted from chapter.
59.18.050 - Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.
59.18.058 - Notice—Translated versions—Legal or advocacy resource information.
59.18.063 - Landlord—Written receipts for payments made by tenant.
59.18.065 - Landlord—Copy of written rental agreement to tenant.
59.18.075 - Seizure of illegal drugs—Notification of landlord.
59.18.080 - Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies—Exceptions.
59.18.090 - Landlord's failure to remedy defective condition—Tenant's choice of actions.
59.18.120 - Defective condition—Unfeasible to remedy defect—Termination of tenancy.
59.18.160 - Landlord's remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition.
59.18.170 - Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out duties—Late fees.
59.18.190 - Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance.
59.18.210 - Tenancies from year to year except under written contract.
59.18.220 - End of tenancy for a specified time—Armed forces exception.
59.18.240 - Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Prohibited.
59.18.250 - Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Presumptions—Rebuttal—Costs.
59.18.253 - Deposit to secure occupancy by tenant—Landlord's duties—Violation.
59.18.255 - Source of income—Landlords prohibited from certain acts—Violation—Penalties.
59.18.315 - Mediation of disputes by independent third party.
59.18.320 - Arbitration—Authorized—Exceptions—Notice—Procedure.
59.18.330 - Arbitration—Application—Hearings—Decisions.
59.18.350 - Arbitration—Completion of arbitration after giving notice.
59.18.354 - Threatening behavior by landlord—Termination of agreement—Financial obligations.
59.18.363 - Unlawful detainer action—Distressed home, previously.
59.18.365 - Unlawful detainer action—Summons—Form.
59.18.367 - Unlawful detainer action—Limited dissemination authorized, when.
59.18.415 - Applicability to certain single-family dwelling leases.
59.18.420 - RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable.
59.18.430 - Applicability to prior, existing or future leases.
59.18.435 - Applicability to proprietary leases.
59.18.500 - Gang-related activity—Legislative findings, declarations, and intent.
59.18.550 - Drug and alcohol free housing—Program of recovery—Terms—Application of chapter.
59.18.570 - Victim protection—Definitions.
59.18.575 - Victim protection—Notice to landlord—Termination of rental agreement—Procedures.
59.18.585 - Victim protection—Possession of dwelling unit—Exclusion of others—New lock or key.
59.18.590 - Death of a tenant—Designated person.
59.18.595 - Death of a tenant—Landlord duties—Disposition of property procedures—Liability.
59.18.610 - Installments—Deposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month's rent—Statutory penalty.
59.18.620 - Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
59.18.630 - Eviction moratorium—Unpaid rent—Repayment plans—Rental assistance.
59.18.660 - Eviction resolution pilot program.
59.18.900 - Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 207.
59.18.911 - Effective date—1989 c 342.
59.18.912 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.