Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.510

Gang-related activity -- Notice and demand the landlord commence unlawful detainer action -- Petition to court -- Attorneys' fees.

In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/25/2026
effective 10/7/2026WashingtonEviction & Just Cause

Operative Text

Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.510
(1)(a) Any person whose life, safety, health, or use of property is being injured or endangered by a tenant's gang-related activity, who has legal standing and resides, works in, or owns property in the same multifamily building, apartment complex, or within a one-block radius may serve the landlord with a ten-day notice and demand that the landlord commence an unlawful detainer action against the tenant. The notice and demand must set forth, in reasonable detail, facts and circumstances that lead the person to believe gang-related activity is occurring. The notice and demand shall be served by delivering a copy personally to the landlord or the landlord's agent. If the person is unable to personally serve the landlord after exercising due diligence, the person may deposit the notice and demand in the mail, postage prepaid, to the landlord's or the landlord's agent's last known address.
(b) A copy of the notice and demand must also be served upon the tenant engaging in the gang-related activity by delivering a copy personally to the tenant. However, if the person is prevented from personally serving the tenant due to threats or violence, or if personal service is not reasonable under the circumstances, the person may deposit the notice and demand in the mail, postage prepaid, to the tenant's address, or leave a copy of the notice and demand in a conspicuous location at the tenant's residence.
(2)(a) Within ten days from the time the notice and demand is served, the landlord has a duty to take reasonable steps to investigate the tenant's alleged noncompliance with RCW 59.18.130 (9). The landlord must notify the person who brought the notice and demand that an investigation is occurring. The landlord has ten days from the time he or she notifies the person in which to conduct a reasonable investigation.
(b) If, after reasonable investigation, the landlord finds that the tenant is not in compliance with RCW 59.18.130 (9), the landlord may proceed directly to an unlawful detainer action or take reasonable steps to ensure the tenant discontinues the prohibited activity and complies with RCW 59.18.130 (9). The landlord shall notify the person who served the notice and demand of whatever action the landlord takes.
(c) If, after reasonable investigation, the landlord finds that the tenant is in compliance with RCW 59.18.130 (9), the landlord shall notify the person who served the notice and demand of the landlord's findings.
(3) The person who served the notice and demand may petition the appropriate court to have the tenancy terminated and the tenant removed from the premises if: (a) Within ten days of service of the notice and demand, the tenant fails to discontinue the gang-related activity and the landlord fails to conduct a reasonable investigation; or (b) the landlord notifies the person that the landlord conducted a reasonable investigation and found that the tenant was not engaged in gang-related activity as prohibited under RCW 59.18.130 (9); or (c) the landlord took reasonable steps to have the tenant comply with RCW 59.18.130 (9), but the tenant has failed to comply within a reasonable time.
(4) If the court finds that the tenant was not in compliance with RCW 59.18.130 (9), the court shall enter an order terminating the tenancy and requiring the tenant to vacate the premises. The court shall not issue the order terminating the tenancy unless it has found that the allegations of gang-related activity are corroborated by a source other than the person who has petitioned the court.
(5) The prevailing party shall recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. The court may impose sanctions, in addition to attorneys' fees, on a person who has brought an action under this chapter against the same tenant on more than one occasion, if the court finds the petition was brought with the intent to harass. However, the court must order the landlord to pay costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to the person petitioning for termination of the tenancy if the court finds that the landlord failed to comply with the duty to investigate, regardless of which party prevails.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Washington law under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.510 establishes a formal process by which neighbors, co-residents, or nearby property owners who believe a tenant is engaging in gang-related activity can serve a written notice and demand on the landlord, triggering a duty to investigate within ten days. If the landlord fails to investigate or the problem persists after reasonable steps, the complaining party may petition a court to terminate the tenancy — but a court may only order removal if the gang-related activity allegations are corroborated by a source independent of the petitioner. The prevailing party in any such court action is generally entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, and courts may impose additional sanctions when petitions are found to have been filed to harass a tenant.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 7, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.510, a landlord who receives a properly served ten-day notice and demand has a legal duty to begin a reasonable investigation into the alleged gang-related activity and to promptly notify the complaining party that an investigation is underway. Compliant operators document their investigative steps, communicate findings to the person who filed the notice, and then either proceed with an unlawful detainer action or take reasonable corrective measures if noncompliance is found. Landlords who fail to fulfill the duty to investigate risk being ordered to pay the petitioner's costs and reasonable attorneys' fees regardless of the ultimate outcome of any court proceeding.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.510 provides that a tenant facing a notice and demand for gang-related activity must also receive a copy of that notice, and any court order terminating a tenancy requires independent corroboration of the allegations beyond the petitioner's own account. Tenants who believe a petition has been filed in bad faith or to harass them may raise that issue before the court, which has authority to impose sanctions on repeat filers acting with harassing intent. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Washington landlord-tenant law can help a tenant understand the procedural rights and potential defenses available under this provision.

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

Current
Oct 7, 2026
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Related Rules

§ 151.20
TEMPORARY EVICTION CONTROLS AND RENT REDUCTIONS FOR MOBILE HOMES DAMAGED IN THE JANUARY, 1994 EARTHQUAKE
§ 1
Definitions
§ 2
Eviction of tenants prohibited; exceptions

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