Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Seattle: What Can I Do?

1. Your landlord must keep your home fit to live in for the whole time you rent it.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.060

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

2. Your landlord must keep the roof, floors, walls, and foundation in reasonably good repair.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.060(2)

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

3. Your landlord must control insects, rodents, and other pests. This does not apply to single family homes, or when you caused the problem.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.060(4)

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

4. Your landlord must give you working locks and keys.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.060(6)

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

5. Your landlord must keep the home reasonably weathertight.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.060(9)

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

6. Give your landlord written notice. Say which home it is, who owns it, and what is broken.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.070

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

7. For no heat, no water, no hot water, or no electricity, your landlord has 24 hours to start work. The same applies to anything that puts your life in danger.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.070(1)

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

8. For a broken refrigerator, stove, oven, or major plumbing fixture, your landlord has 72 hours to start work.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.070(2)

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

9. For every other repair, your landlord has 10 days to start work.

   Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.070(3)

   ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

10. If your landlord does not fix the problem in a reasonable time, you can end your lease and move out. You must tell them in writing. You then stop owing rent from the day you leave. This works only if you strictly followed the repair notice rules and are current on rent. If not, you can owe rent until the landlord rents the home again, up to the end of your lease.

    Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.090(1) Northwest Justice Project (WashingtonLawHelp.org) Tenants' rights: Moving out

    ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

11. You can also take your landlord to court instead of moving out.

    Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.090(2)

    ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

12. Your landlord does not have to fix damage that you, your family, or your guests caused.

    Washington State Legislature RCW 59.18.060

    ✓ Sources checked September 21, 2026

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