Landlord Entering Without Notice in Seattle: What Are My Rights?

When your landlord can come in

1. 1

   Your landlord must give you at least 2 days written notice before entering your home. They can only enter at reasonable times.

   Source:

   1. RCW 59.18.150(6), Washington State Legislature. Law.
2. 2

   The notice must say the exact date and time your landlord plans to enter. If they give a time range, the notice must say the earliest and latest times.

   Source:

   1. RCW 59.18.150(6), Washington State Legislature. Law.
3. 3

   The notice must also give you a phone number. You can use it to object to the entry or ask for a different time.

   Source:

   1. RCW 59.18.150(6), Washington State Legislature. Law.
4. 4

   If your landlord wants to show your home to a buyer or a future renter, they only need to give you 1 day of notice.

   Source:

   1. RCW 59.18.150(6), Washington State Legislature. Law.
5. 5

   Your landlord can enter without notice in an emergency. They can also enter if you have moved out and left the home empty.

   Source:

   1. RCW 59.18.150(5), Washington State Legislature. Law.
6. 6

   Outside of those situations, your landlord can only enter with your permission, a court order, or a ruling from an arbitrator (an outside neutral person).

   Source:

   1. RCW 59.18.150(7), Washington State Legislature. Law.
7. 7

   Your landlord cannot use entry to bother you. They also cannot show your home so often that it interferes with your use of it.

   Source:

   1. RCW 59.18.150(6), Washington State Legislature. Law.

If your landlord comes in without notice

8. 8

   Give your landlord a written notice that lists the date and time of each entry. If they keep entering after that, they owe you up to $100 for each time. If you go to court and win, they also pay your court costs and lawyer fees. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

   Sources:

   1. Our editorial rules.
   2. RCW 59.18.150(8), Washington State Legislature. Law.