Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.330
Arbitration -- Application -- Hearings -- Decisions.
Operative Text
(1) Unless otherwise mutually agreed to, in the event a controversy arises under RCW 59.18.320 the landlord or tenant, or both, shall complete an application for arbitration and deliver it to the selected arbitrator. (2) The arbitrator so designated shall schedule a hearing to be held no later than ten days following receipt of notice of the controversy, except as provided in RCW 59.18.350 . (3) The arbitrator shall conduct public or private hearings. Reasonable notice of such hearings shall be given to the parties, who shall appear and be heard either in person or by counsel or other representative. Hearings shall be informal and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. A recording of the proceedings may be taken. Any oral or documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrator may be received in evidence. The arbitrator shall have the power to administer oaths, to issue subpoenas, to require the attendance of witnesses and the production of such books, papers, contracts, agreements, and documents as may be deemed by the arbitrator material to a just determination of the issues in dispute. If any person refuses to obey such subpoena or refuses to be sworn to testify, or any witness, party, or attorney is guilty of any contempt while in attendance at any hearing held hereunder, the arbitrator may invoke the jurisdiction of any superior court, and such court shall have jurisdiction to issue an appropriate order. A failure to obey such order may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. (4) Within five days after conclusion of the hearing, the arbitrator shall make a written decision upon the issues presented, a copy of which shall be mailed by certified mail or otherwise delivered to the parties or their designated representatives. The determination of the dispute made by the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon both parties. (5) If a defective condition exists which affects more than one dwelling unit in a similar manner, the arbitrator may consolidate the issues of fact common to those dwelling units in a single proceeding. (6) Decisions of the arbitrator shall be enforced or appealed according to the provisions of chapter 7.04A RCW.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.330, establishes a structured arbitration process for resolving certain landlord-tenant disputes. Once a controversy arises under RCW 59.18.320, either or both parties may file an arbitration application, triggering a hearing that must be scheduled within ten days. The arbitrator conducts informal hearings, may administer oaths and issue subpoenas, and must issue a written decision within five days of the hearing's conclusion — a decision that is final and binding on both parties unless appealed under chapter 7.04A RCW.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.330, property owners and managers involved in a qualifying dispute should be prepared to participate in arbitration proceedings that move on a compressed timeline — hearings are scheduled within ten days of notice, and decisions follow within five days of the hearing. Compliant operators typically respond promptly to arbitration notices, appear at hearings either in person or through a representative, and produce any requested documents or records. Where a defective condition affects multiple units similarly, the arbitrator has authority to consolidate those cases, which can affect how evidence and arguments are presented across a property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.330 gives tenants the right to initiate or participate in arbitration when a covered dispute arises under RCW 59.18.320, with hearings scheduled quickly and conducted informally — meaning strict courtroom rules of evidence do not apply. Tenants may appear at hearings in person, through an attorney, or through another representative, and the arbitrator's written decision is binding on both parties. Tenants who believe a decision was improperly reached may explore appeal options under chapter 7.04A RCW, and tenant-rights organizations in Washington can help explain what those paths generally involve.
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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