Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.120
Defective condition -- Unfeasible to remedy defect -- Termination of tenancy.
Operative Text
If a court or arbitrator determines a defective condition as described in RCW 59.18.060 to be so substantial that it is unfeasible for the landlord to remedy the defect within the time allotted by RCW 59.18.070 , and that the tenant should not remain in the dwelling unit in its defective condition, the court or arbitrator may authorize the termination of the tenancy: PROVIDED, That the court or arbitrator shall set a reasonable time for the tenant to vacate the premises.
Under Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, specifically Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.010 et seq. § 59.18.120, when a court or arbitrator finds that a dwelling's defective condition is so serious that it cannot reasonably be fixed within the statutory repair period and that the tenant's continued occupancy would be unsafe or inappropriate, the court or arbitrator has the authority to end the tenancy. Importantly, any such termination must include a reasonable period of time for the tenant to find alternative housing and vacate. This provision applies only after a formal legal or arbitration proceeding has made these specific findings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.010 et seq. § 59.18.120 comes into play when a property has a defect so severe that repair within the timeframe set by RCW 59.18.070 is not feasible. Compliant operators generally document the nature and scope of serious defects thoroughly and engage with any court or arbitration process transparently, since only a court or arbitrator — not the landlord acting unilaterally — can authorize a tenancy termination on these grounds. Even when termination is authorized, operators must observe the reasonable vacate period that the court or arbitrator is required to set.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.010 et seq. § 59.18.120, a tenancy can only be terminated on the basis of an unfeasible-to-remedy defect if a court or arbitrator makes that determination — a landlord cannot simply declare the situation and end the tenancy on their own. Tenants facing such proceedings have the right to a reasonable amount of time to vacate, which the court or arbitrator must establish. Tenants in this situation may benefit from consulting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how this provision interacts with their specific lease and 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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