HB 2023 Creating a New Cause of Action Against Housing Providers

Bill Summary

• Allows a tenant to sue the housing provider if they:
  • Violate any provision of RCW 59.18 or RCW 59.20
  • Engaged in "Unfair, deceptive or abusive practices"
  • Violate any provision in the lease.
• A show cause hearing must be scheduled by the court within 14 days of filing
• If issues of material fact are raised, the show cause will be pushed to trial.
• Permits a court that rules in favor of the tenant to do any or all of the following:
  • Require remedy by the housing provider
  • Forgive or require a refund of the rent
  • Allow the tenant to remedy the issue and charge the housing provider
  • Terminate the tenancy and award the tenant damages
  • Reinstate a tenancy
• Permits the court to appoint an administrator to oversee the case.
  • Requires the housing provider to pay the fees and costs of the administrator.
• Repeals RCW 59.18.080 and RCW 59.20.240 requiring a tenant to be current on rent before taking action against a housing provider.

Bill Schedule

• Hearing in the House Housing, Human Services and Veterans Committee on January 28th at 10:00 am

Sponsors

Hackney, Macri, Berry, Fitzgibbon, Johnson, J., Peterson, Ramel, Chopp, Bateman, Pollet

FOR MORE INFO.

• Visit our Advocacy Center for Calls to Action