The proposed bill seeks to reform landlord-tenant laws in Washington State by introducing new provisions and amending existing statutes. A significant change is the requirement that landlords cannot evict tenants or terminate tenancies without just cause, which is defined in detail within the bill. For tenancies with a specified period, landlords must provide at least 60 days' written notice before the lease ends if they intend to terminate the agreement. The bill also clarifies the conditions under which a landlord may end a tenancy without cause, emphasizing the need for advance notice and the nature of the rental agreement. Additionally, it outlines specific causes for eviction, such as non-payment of rent and substantial breaches of lease terms, while establishing protections for tenants against wrongful eviction.

Moreover, the bill introduces new sections that preempt local regulations regarding landlord-tenant agreements, asserting that such regulations are of statewide significance. This means that cities and towns cannot enact ordinances regulating these agreements for residential rental properties, except in specific cases involving public ownership or low-income housing. The legislation also mandates that landlords provide written notice detailing the reasons for termination and the circumstances surrounding it, and it requires expedited hearings for unlawful detainer actions in certain situations. Lastly, the bill sets expiration dates for specific sections, indicating that some of the new regulations are temporary.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 59.18.650, 59.18.370