Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60 § 49.60.240
Complaint investigated -- Procedure -- Conference, conciliation -- Agreement, findings -- Rules.
Operative Text
(1)(a) Except as provided for in (c) of this subsection, after the filing of any complaint, the chairperson of the commission shall refer it to the appropriate section of the commission's staff for prompt review and evaluation of the complaint. If the facts as stated in the complaint do not constitute an unfair practice under this chapter, a finding of no reasonable cause may be made without further investigation. If the facts as stated could constitute an unfair practice under this chapter, a full investigation and ascertainment of the facts shall be conducted. (b) If the complainant has limitations related to language proficiency or cognitive or other disability, as part of the review and evaluation under (a) of this subsection, the commission's staff must contact the complainant directly and make appropriate inquiry of the complainant as to the facts of the complaint. (c) After the filing of a complaint alleging an unfair practice in a real estate transaction pursuant to RCW 49.60.222 through 49.60.225 , the chairperson of the commission shall refer it to the appropriate section of the commission's staff for prompt investigation and ascertainment of the facts alleged in the complaint. (2) The investigation shall be limited to the alleged facts contained in the complaint. The results of the investigation shall be reduced to written findings of fact, and a finding shall be made that there is or that there is not reasonable cause for believing that an unfair practice has been or is being committed. A copy of the findings shall be provided to the complainant and to the person named in such complaint, hereinafter referred to as the respondent. (3) If the finding is made that there is reasonable cause for believing that an unfair practice has been or is being committed, the commission's staff shall immediately endeavor to eliminate the unfair practice by conference, conciliation, and persuasion. If an agreement is reached for the elimination of such unfair practice as a result of such conference, conciliation, and persuasion, the agreement shall be reduced to writing and signed by the respondent, and an order shall be entered by the commission setting forth the terms of said agreement. No order shall be entered by the commission at this stage of the proceedings except upon such written agreement, except that during the period beginning with the filing of complaints alleging an unfair practice with respect to real estate transactions pursuant to RCW 49.60.222 through 49.60.225 , and ending with the filing of a finding of reasonable cause or a dismissal by the commission, the commission staff shall, to the extent feasible, engage in conciliation with respect to such complaint. Any conciliation agreement arising out of conciliation efforts by the commission shall be an agreement between the respondent and the complainant and shall be subject to the approval of the commission. Each conciliation agreement shall be made public unless the complainant and respondent otherwise agree and the commission determines that disclosure is not required to further the purposes of this chapter. If no such agreement can be reached, a finding to that effect shall be made and reduced to writing, with a copy thereof provided to the complainant and the respondent. (4) The commission may adopt rules, including procedural time requirements, for processing complaints alleging an unfair practice with respect to real estate transactions pursuant to RCW 49.60.222 through 49.60.225 and which may be consistent with the federal fair housing amendments act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3601 et seq.), but which in no case shall exceed or be more restrictive than the requirements or standards of such act.
Washington's Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.240 establishes the step-by-step process the Washington State Human Rights Commission follows after a housing discrimination complaint is filed. Staff first reviews the complaint to determine whether the alleged facts could constitute an unfair practice; if so, a full investigation is conducted and written findings of fact are issued to both the complainant and the respondent. When reasonable cause is found, the Commission attempts to resolve the matter through conference, conciliation, and persuasion, and any resulting agreement must be put in writing, signed, and approved by the Commission before an order is entered.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.240, a property owner or manager named as a respondent in a housing discrimination complaint will receive a copy of the Commission's written findings of fact once the investigation concludes. If the Commission finds reasonable cause, staff will reach out to attempt resolution through conference and conciliation, and any agreement reached at that stage must be reduced to writing and signed by the respondent before it becomes a Commission order. Operators familiar with this process generally maintain clear records of their rental practices and communications, which can be relevant during the Commission's fact-gathering phase.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60.240 gives complainants the right to receive a written copy of the Commission's findings after their housing discrimination complaint is investigated, keeping them informed at each stage of the process. If the Commission finds reasonable cause, staff will work toward a conciliation agreement, and complainants are a party to any such agreement, which must be approved by the Commission. Tenants who believe their complaint involves real estate transaction discrimination under RCW 49.60.222–49.60.225 may also benefit from knowing that conciliation efforts can begin even before a formal reasonable-cause finding; tenant-rights organizations in Washington can help explain what to expect at each stage of this process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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