SSB 6237
SignedSenate
Rental property flood discl.
Concerning rental property disclosures of flooding history and flood risk.
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 requires landlords to disclose to tenants whether a rental property is in a flood-prone area, any known flooding issues, and key insurance-related limitations. It also mandates information about where to get flood risk data and encourages tenants to consider protective insurance. The provisions become part of the state’s existing landlord-tenant law (RCW 59.18.060).
- Requires landlords to disclose in writing if the rental property is located in a special flood hazard area or an area of potential flooding, based on actual knowledge (e.g., public agency notice, mortgage requirement, or current flood insurance).
- Mandates disclosure of any known flooding, standing water, or drainage problems on the property that affect the unit or access to it.
- Requires landlords to inform tenants that their insurance does not cover the tenant’s personal belongings, and to recommend purchasing renter’s and flood insurance.
- Requires landlords to provide information on where tenants can get flood risk data — specifically from their county government.
- Adds new disclosure requirements under existing law (RCW 59.18.060) that apply to all new tenancies starting on or after the effective date.
- Includes a liability exemption for landlords who fail to comply unless the failure was knowing and intentional.
Who is affected
- Landlords and property owners — Rental property owners and landlords must now disclose known flood-related risks and provide additional information about property hazards and insurance limitations to tenants before or at lease signing.
- Renters — Tenants gain access to important information about flood risks, property flooding history, and insurance recommendations, helping them make informed housing decisions and consider protective coverage.
- County governments — County governments may see increased demand for flood hazard information requests and related public education as tenants seek to understand local risks.
- Insurance industry — Insurance agents and providers may experience higher demand for renter's and flood insurance as tenants become more aware of coverage gaps and risks.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (3)
Mandating written disclosure of known flood hazards and drainage problems empowers tenants to make informed housing decisions, reducing risk of displacement, health hazards, and financial loss — especially critical for vulnerable populations (e.g., seniors, disabled, low-income) who may not otherwise know to ask.
HousingPeopleRef: RCW 59.18.060(13)(a)-(b)Explicitly informing tenants that landlord insurance does not cover personal property — and recommending renter’s and flood insurance — helps close a well-documented knowledge gap; many renters incorrectly assume landlord coverage protects their belongings, leaving them financially exposed after disasters.
HousingPeopleRef: RCW 59.18.060(13)(c)Requiring landlords to direct tenants to county flood risk data increases public access to hazard information, supporting long-term resilience and preparedness — particularly valuable in climate-vulnerable regions like the Puget Sound lowlands and river valleys.
HousingPeopleRef: RCW 59.18.060(13)(d)
Potential Concerns (4)
Landlords may pass increased insurance and administrative costs to tenants through higher rents, especially in flood-prone areas where flood insurance premiums are already elevated — this disproportionately affects low- and middle-income renters who spend a high share of income on housing.
HousingPeopleRef: RCW 59.18.060(13)(c)The requirement to direct tenants to county governments for flood risk data may burden tenants with limited digital literacy, transportation, or time — especially seniors, non-English speakers, and hourly workers — making the information less accessible despite good intent.
HousingPeopleRef: RCW 59.18.060(13)(d)The liability exemption for landlords who fail to comply unless the failure was “knowing and intentional” significantly weakens enforcement, reducing accountability and potentially undermining the bill’s purpose — especially for tenants without legal resources to prove intent.
Rights & LibertiesRef: RCW 59.18.060(15)While the bill recommends flood insurance, it does not require landlords to verify whether tenants can afford it — low-income renters may be left exposed to catastrophic financial loss if they purchase inadequate coverage or none at all, worsening housing instability after floods.
HousingPeopleRef: RCW 59.18.060(13)(c)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and moderate-income renters benefit significantly — especially those in flood-prone areas like the Snohomish or Yakima River basins — by gaining critical information to avoid unsafe housing and make informed insurance decisions. However, they may also face rent increases if landlords pass on insurance costs.
Small landlords (e.g., single-property owners) face modest administrative burden and may absorb higher insurance costs, but are less able to spread risk than large firms. Large property management firms may already have disclosure systems in place and can absorb costs more easily — potentially consolidating market share.
Counties may see increased demand for floodplain information and public education, straining limited resources — but this also supports better-informed local planning and emergency response. No new funding is allocated to support this.
Insurance agents and providers may see a rise in renter’s and flood insurance sales — especially in high-risk counties — but this does not guarantee broader coverage or affordability for low-income tenants. Brokers may benefit more than consumers.
Homeowners and buyers may indirectly benefit from improved community flood resilience and transparency, but the bill does not directly affect them. Some may face higher premiums if more people opt for coverage, increasing risk pool visibility.