This bill aims to protect tenants in Washington State by prohibiting predatory residential rent practices and extending the consumer protection act to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act. Key provisions include prohibiting landlords from charging excessive rent increases, imposing burdensome rental agreement terms, and charging move-in fees or security deposits that exceed one month's rent. The bill also empowers the attorney general to investigate violations, issue cease and desist letters, and enforce penalties, including civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. Additionally, tenants harmed by unlawful rent practices can seek damages and punitive damages in court.

The bill establishes specific definitions, such as "excessive rent," which is defined as a rent increase greater than the rate of inflation or three percent, up to a maximum of seven percent. It also mandates that the Department of Commerce calculate and publish the maximum allowable rent increase percentage annually. Furthermore, the bill requires the attorney general's office to provide translated versions of the law in multiple languages by January 1, 2024, to ensure accessibility for non-English speakers. The act is declared an emergency measure, taking effect immediately to address urgent tenant protection needs.