Which disclosures must a Washington lease include?
| Disclosure | Statute | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Move-in condition checklist | RCW 59.18.260 | Any lease where a deposit is collected |
| Deposit trust-account / bank notice | RCW 59.18.270 | Any lease where a deposit is collected |
| Mold information (DOH) | RCW 59.18.060 | Every new tenancy |
| Fire safety / smoke-detector notice | RCW 59.18.060 | Every lease |
| Lead-based paint hazard + EPA pamphlet | Title X (federal) | Housing built before 1978 |
The move-in checklist and deposit bank disclosure
Move-in checklist (RCW 59.18.260): a landlord cannot collect a security deposit unless the rental agreement is in writing and is accompanied by a written checklist describing the condition and cleanliness of the unit, signed by both parties. Collecting a deposit without it makes the landlord liable to the tenant for the deposit amount plus costs and fees.
Deposit bank disclosure (RCW 59.18.270): the deposit must be held in a trust account with a Washington bank or escrow agent, and the landlord must give a written receipt and disclose the name and address of the depository.
Mold and fire-safety disclosures (RCW 59.18.060)
Mold information: the landlord must provide the Washington Department of Health's information on indoor mold and its health effects to new tenants at the start of the tenancy.
Fire safety / smoke detectors: the landlord must give written notice that the unit has a smoke-detection device, the tenant's duty to maintain it, and the penalties for noncompliance, signed by both parties; multifamily notices must also address whether detectors are hard-wired, and whether the building has sprinklers, a fire alarm, a smoking policy, and an evacuation plan.
Federal lead-based paint disclosure
For any dwelling built before 1978, federal law requires the landlord to provide the signed lead-warning disclosure, any known records, and the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.
Local disclosures to check
Washington cities add their own requirements. Seattle, for example, requires landlords to distribute a summary of the city's landlord-tenant regulations, and several cities cap move-in costs and late fees. Confirm the local requirements for the property's city before finalizing the lease.
What happens if a Washington landlord skips a required disclosure?
Consequences vary:
- No move-in checklist: the landlord cannot lawfully keep the deposit and may owe the tenant the deposit amount plus costs (RCW 59.18.260).
- No bank disclosure: undercuts the landlord's right to retain the deposit (RCW 59.18.270).
- Federal lead-paint violation: carries civil and, in egregious cases, criminal penalties plus tenant damages.
Managing rentals in more than one state? Compare Washington's list with our California and New York disclosure checklists.
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Create your Washington lease agreement →Frequently asked questions
What disclosures are required in a Washington lease?
A signed move-in condition checklist and deposit trust-account/bank notice (RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270), the Department of Health mold information and a fire-safety/smoke-detector notice (RCW 59.18.060), and the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing.
Can a Washington landlord collect a deposit without a checklist?
No. Under RCW 59.18.260 a deposit may not be collected unless the lease is in writing and accompanied by a signed move-in condition checklist; doing so makes the landlord liable for the deposit amount plus costs and fees.
Does Washington require a mold disclosure?
Yes. The landlord must provide the Department of Health's indoor-mold information to new tenants at the start of the tenancy (RCW 59.18.060).
Does Washington require a lead-paint disclosure?
Yes, for pre-1978 housing. This is a federal requirement: the signed lead-warning disclosure, known records, and the EPA pamphlet.
Where is a Washington deposit held, and must the bank be disclosed?
The deposit must be held in a trust account with a Washington bank or escrow agent, and the landlord must give a written receipt and disclose the bank's name and address (RCW 59.18.270).
Official sources
Primary statutes and official government references for this guide. Statutes change — always confirm against the current official text before you act.