Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.020
Rights and remedies -- Obligation of good faith imposed.
Operative Text
Every duty under this chapter and every act which must be performed as a condition precedent to the exercise of a right or remedy under this chapter imposes an obligation of good faith in its performance or enforcement.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.020, establishes that every duty and every condition that must be met before exercising a right or remedy carries with it a built-in requirement of good faith. This means that neither party can technically comply with the letter of the law while acting dishonestly or in bad faith to undermine the other party's rights. The good-faith obligation applies to both performance of duties and enforcement of remedies throughout the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.020, property owners and managers operating under the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act are generally expected to carry out their duties and exercise their rights honestly and in a straightforward manner. Compliant operators typically document their actions, communicate transparently with tenants, and avoid using technical compliance as a cover for conduct that is designed to circumvent tenant protections. Practices that appear procedurally correct but are carried out in a manner intended to deceive or harm tenants may be scrutinized under this good-faith standard.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.020 gives tenants a basis to challenge landlord conduct that, while perhaps technically procedural, appears to be carried out in bad faith rather than honestly. If a landlord's actions in performing duties or enforcing remedies seem designed to circumvent your rights under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, this provision may be relevant to raising a defense or pursuing a claim. Tenants can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization or consulting with a legal aid office to understand how the good-faith obligation might apply to their circumstances.
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.
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