HB 1915
In CommitteeHouse
Tenant protections
Strengthening tenant protections.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill strengthens tenant protections across Washington by limiting no-cause evictions, extending notice periods, improving eviction procedures, and expanding defenses for nonpayment of rent. It also adds new eviction safeguards for mobile home park residents and creates a repayment plan and landlord mitigation program to help stabilize tenancies.
- Landlords can no longer evict tenants without cause unless specific conditions are met—such as a 60-day notice for ending a month-to-month tenancy after an initial 6- to 12-month lease, or a 60-day notice for ending a fixed-term lease of 12+ months or successive 6+-month leases.
- For nonpayment of rent, landlords must give at least 30 days’ notice (instead of 14) to tenants in covered dwelling units (those participating in federal housing programs or with federally backed mortgages).
- Tenants can use the landlord’s failure to maintain the unit as a defense against eviction for nonpayment of rent, and may be awarded damages and attorney fees if they win.
- Landlords must provide detailed written notices for evictions, specifying facts and circumstances supporting the eviction, and must follow strict procedures for eviction notices and court filings.
- Tenants evicted for nonpayment of rent may qualify for a court-ordered repayment plan (up to 6 months), with a cap of $100/month minimum and up to one month’s rent maximum, and may be protected from eviction if they pay one month’s rent within 5 court days of judgment.
- Mobile home park tenants must receive 2 years’ notice for park closure or conversion, and landlords must provide relocation assistance of at least $10,000–$15,000 per home if they fail to provide relocation assistance, the notice period shortens to 12 or 18 months depending on assistance level.
Who is affected
- Residential tenants — Tenants in residential rental units (including apartments, houses, and condos) gain stronger protections against no-cause evictions, longer notice periods for certain evictions, and new defenses against eviction for nonpayment of rent if the landlord failed to maintain the unit. They also gain access to legal representation and eviction defense services, and may qualify for repayment plans if evicted for nonpayment.
- Mobile home park residents — Mobile home park residents gain stronger eviction protections, including longer notice periods for park closures or rule violations, and requirements for landlords to provide relocation assistance when the park closes or converts to another use.
- Landlords — Landlords must follow stricter rules for evictions, including providing detailed written notices, adhering to specific notice timelines, and facing liability for wrongful eviction. They also gain access to a state-funded landlord mitigation program to help recover unpaid rent in certain cases.
- Low-income renters — Low-income tenants facing eviction may qualify for court-appointed legal representation, emergency rental assistance, and court-ordered repayment plans that cap monthly payments and prevent immediate eviction.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Eliminates no-cause evictions for most month-to-month and periodic tenancies after initial lease terms, requiring 60-day notice and just cause — significantly reduces arbitrary displacement for everyday renters, especially in tight housing markets like Seattle and Spokane.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(b)-(c); Sec. 1(2)(a)(ii); Sec. 4(3)(c)Makes landlord habitability failures a full affirmative defense to nonpayment evictions, with damages and attorney fees — empowers tenants to enforce housing standards without fear of retaliation, improving living conditions and legal parity.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)(iv)-(v); Sec. 4(3)(e)(i)-(ii)Mobile home park residents gain 2-year closure notices and $10,000–$15,000 relocation assistance — critical protection for a population with high asset lock-in (home ownership) and limited mobility, preventing sudden homelessness.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(e); Sec. 2(3); Sec. 4(3)(e)(ii)Allows courts to stay evictions for up to 6 months with repayment plans capped at $1,000/month, and permits prospective rent coverage (up to 3 months) via landlord mitigation program — provides breathing room for families facing temporary hardship, reducing shelter stays and family separation.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 4(3)(c)(ii); Sec. 4(3)(e)(vi)Requires courts to assess low-income/hardship status to trigger landlord mitigation program reimbursement — intended to reduce landlord losses and stabilize tenancies, but implementation risks delays and administrative burdens that may not reach the most vulnerable.
HousingLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(3)(e)(i); Sec. 4(3)(e)(ii)
Potential Concerns (5)
Tenants gain a robust affirmative defense against eviction for nonpayment when landlords fail to maintain habitability, with potential damages and attorney fees — strengthening tenant rights to safe housing and legal recourse.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)(iv)-(v); Sec. 4(3)(e)(i)-(ii)Extends notice periods for no-cause evictions (60 days), increases nonpayment notice to 30 days for federally assisted units, and creates court-ordered repayment plans (up to 6 months, $100–$1,000/month) — reducing sudden displacement and stabilizing tenancies for low- and moderate-income renters.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(b)-(c); Sec. 1(2)(a)(ii); Sec. 4(3)(c)Mobile home park residents receive 2-year closure notices and $10,000–$15,000 relocation assistance per home, plus extended 120-day sale periods — protecting a uniquely vulnerable, often elderly, low-asset housing cohort from forced displacement without compensation.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(e); Sec. 2(3); Sec. 4(3)(e)(ii)Creates a landlord mitigation program to reimburse landlords for unpaid rent when tenants qualify as low-income/hardship — intended to stabilize tenancies, but risks diverting public funds to landlords while only partially shielding tenants from eviction if assistance is delayed or denied.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 4(3)(e)(i); Sec. 4(3)(e)(ii); Sec. 4(3)(e)(vi)Bars repeat nonpayment evictees (3+ prior notices in 12 months) from repayment plans unless prior notices were invalid — disproportionately harms chronically low-income tenants with unstable housing histories, potentially increasing long-term housing insecurity.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(3)(d); Sec. 4(3)(e)(i)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income renters benefit most: stronger eviction defenses, repayment plans, and legal aid access reduce displacement risk. However, those with prior nonpayment notices (3+) may be excluded from repayment plans, increasing vulnerability.
Mobile home park residents gain critical protections: 2-year closure notices and $10K–$15K relocation aid prevent forced displacement. But those without title to their homes (e.g., park-owned homes) may not qualify for full assistance.
Landlords face higher compliance costs and liability (e.g., wrongful eviction penalties up to 3x rent), but gain access to a state-funded mitigation program to recover unpaid rent. Small landlords (1–4 units) bear disproportionate burden relative to corporate landlords.
Courts and legal aid providers face increased caseloads and administrative duties (e.g., repayment plan oversight, mitigation program applications), straining resources. This could delay justice for both tenants and landlords if funding is insufficient.