# Washington Renters: Who Pays for Repairs? (Landlord vs Tenant) | Who Pays the Repair?

> RCW 59.18.060 requires Washington landlords to keep rentals fit for habitation at all times, unless the tenant caused the problem.

**Who pays:** landlord

In Washington, the landlord has a statutory duty to keep the rental fit for human habitation at all times under RCW 59.18.060, except for conditions the tenant, their family, or a guest caused.

**Boundary:** Washington landlords have a statutory duty to keep rental premises fit for human habitation at all times, under RCW 59.18.060.

**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).

## Sources
- [RCW 59.18.060 - "Landlord - Duties"](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?Cite=59.18.060) — "The landlord will at all times during the tenancy keep the premises fit for human habitation" (accessed 2026-09-13)
- [RCW 59.18.090: Landlord failure to remedy defective condition, tenant options](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?Cite=59.18.090) — "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" (accessed 2026-09-13)
- [RCW 59.18.060: Landlord: Duties](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?Cite=59.18.060) — "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;" (accessed 2026-09-27)

_Last verified 2026-09-13. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/washington-landlord-tenant-repair-responsibility/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._