# Who pays for pest control in a Washington rental? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Washington landlords must provide a pest control program at move-in and, except in single-family homes, control pests during the tenancy (RCW 59.18.060).

**Who pays:** landlord

In Washington, the landlord must run a pest control program at the start of the tenancy and control infestation during it (except single-family homes); the tenant pays extermination costs for infestation the tenant caused.

**Boundary:** Under RCW 59.18.060, the landlord must provide a reasonable program for the control of infestation by insects, rodents, and other pests at the initiation of the tenancy and, except in a single-family residence, control infestation during the tenancy unless the tenant caused it. Under RCW 59.18.130, the tenant assumes all costs of extermination and fumigation for infestation caused by the tenant.

**Exceptions:** Single-family residence: the landlord duty to control infestation during tenancy does not apply.; Infestation caused by the tenant.

## Sources
- [RCW 59.18.060 Landlord - Duties](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.060) — "Provide a reasonable program for the control of infestation by insects, rodents, and other pests at the initiation of the tenancy and, except in the case of a single-family residence, control infestation during tenancy except where such infestation is caused by the tenant" (accessed 2026-10-17)
- [RCW 59.18.130 Duties of tenant](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.130) — "assume all costs of extermination and fumigation for infestation caused by the tenant" (accessed 2026-10-17)

_Last verified 2026-10-17. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/washington-landlord-pest-control-duty/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._