Washington Landlord Tenant Law

King County has passed a “Safer Neighborhoods” Ordinance that requires landlords in unincorporated King County to take measures to prevent recurrence of criminal activity on rental property.

If the sheriff’s department has probable cause to believe that criminal conduct has occurred on the rental property the sheriff may serve notice on the landlord.  The behavior can be that of the tenant or any guest.  Criminal conduct includes serious felonies, drug activity, and furnishing alcohol to minors.

If three or more notices for the same property are served on the landlord in a six month period and the landlord has not taken reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood that criminal conduct will reoccur on the rental property the landlord is guilty of a civil infraction.

Reasonable steps the landlord may take include attendance of a landlord training class, pursuing eviction, or seeking assistance from the County.

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