Under the Landlord-Tenant Act, the landlord must:
- Maintain the dwelling so it does not violate state and local codes in ways that endanger the tenant's health and safety
- Maintain the structure, including roofs, floors and chimneys, in reasonably good repair
- Maintain the dwelling in reasonably weather-tight condition
- Provide reasonably adequate locks and keys
- Provide equipment necessary to supply heat, electricity and hot and cold water
- Provide garbage cans and arrange for removal of garbage, except in single family dwellings
- Keep common areas, such as lobbies, stairways and halls, reasonably clean and free from hazards
- Control pests before the tenant moves in. The landlord must continue to control infestations except in single family dwellings, or when the infestation was caused by the tenant
- Make repairs to keep the unit in the same condition as when the tenant moved in (except for normal wear and tear)
- Keep electrical, plumbing and heating systems in good repair, and maintain any appliances that are provided with the rental
- Provide the tenant with the name and address of the landlord or landlord's agent
- Set water heaters at 120° when a new tenant moves in
- Provide smoke detectors, and ensure they work properly when a new tenant moves in
- Tenants are responsible for maintaining detectors
- Investigate whether a tenant is engaging in gang-related activity when another tenant notifies the landlord of gang-related activity by serving a written notice and investigation demand to the landlord (Revised Code of Washington 59.18.180).
Tenant Damage
A landlord is not responsible for the cost of correcting problems caused by the tenant.
