If the repair is yours to pay
Get more than one quote before you agree to a price, and ask the contractor to confirm where the property line and the public side begin.
Repair-request & landlord/tenant forms (LawDepot)Templates for a notice to repair, security-deposit demand, and more.
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Default rule and exceptions
Washington landlords have a statutory duty to keep rental premises fit for human habitation at all times, under RCW 59.18.060.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Landlord | Keep the premises fit for human habitation at all times during the tenancy, covering structural repairs, electrical/plumbing/heating systems, weatherproofing, locks, and pest control (RCW 59.18.060). |
| Tenant | Not cause the defective condition; no duty devolves on the landlord to repair a condition caused by the tenant, their family, an invitee, or another person under the tenant's control. |
| Exceptions | No duty devolves upon the landlord to repair a defective condition caused by the conduct of the tenant, their family, invitee, or other person acting under their control (RCW 59.18.060). |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 13, 2026.
The landlord will at all times during the tenancy keep the premises fit for human habitation
the tenant may: (1) Terminate the rental agreement and quit the premises upon written notice to the landlord without further obligation under the rental agreement
Maintain the structural components including, but not limited to, the roofs, floors, walls, chimneys, fireplaces, foundations, and all other structural components, in reasonably good repair so as to be usable; ... Maintain all electrical, plumbing, heating, and other facilities and appliances supplied by him or her in reasonably good working order;
City rules rest on state law. Read Washington's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for rental / landlord-tenant repair in Statewide, WA?
The landlord. Keep the premises fit for human habitation at all times during the tenancy, covering structural repairs, electrical/plumbing/heating systems, weatherproofing, locks, and pest control (RCW 59.18.060).
Are there exceptions in Statewide, WA?
No duty devolves upon the landlord to repair a defective condition caused by the conduct of the tenant, their family, invitee, or other person acting under their control (RCW 59.18.060).
What is this based on for Statewide, WA?
This verdict is sourced to RCW 59.18.060 - "Landlord - Duties" and 3 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- RCW 59.18.060 - "Landlord - Duties"statute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
- RCW 59.18.090: Landlord failure to remedy defective condition, tenant optionsstatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
- RCW 59.18.060: Landlord: Dutiesstatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
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