Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20 § 59.20.180
Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant -- Statement and notice of basis for retention.
Operative Text
Within fourteen days after the termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the mobile home space, the landlord shall give a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit together with the payment of any refund due the tenant under the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. No portion of any deposit shall be withheld on account of wear resulting from ordinary use of the mobile home space. The statement shall be delivered to the tenant personally or by mail to the last known address. If the landlord fails to give such statement together with any refund due the tenant within the time limits specified above such landlord shall be liable to the tenant for the full amount of the refund due. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the landlord from proceeding against, and the landlord shall have the right to proceed against a tenant to recover sums exceeding the amount of the tenant's damage or security deposit for damage to the property for which the tenant is responsible.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.180, when a mobile home space rental agreement ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord has fourteen days to either return the security deposit in full or provide a detailed, itemized written statement explaining any amounts withheld, along with any refund owed. Normal wear and tear from ordinary use of the space cannot be used as a basis for keeping any portion of the deposit. If the landlord misses the fourteen-day deadline without providing the required statement and refund, the law makes the landlord liable to the tenant for the full deposit amount.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of mobile home parks subject to Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.180 generally document the condition of the space at move-in and move-out to support any deductions they may need to justify. A compliant landlord delivers a full, specific written statement of any retained amounts—along with any refund—to the tenant personally or by mail to the last known address within fourteen days of termination and vacation. Landlords should be aware that deductions for ordinary wear and tear are not permitted, and that missing the fourteen-day window can expose them to liability for the entire deposit amount, regardless of whether some deductions might otherwise have been valid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.180, tenants in mobile home spaces are entitled to receive either a full deposit refund or a detailed written explanation of any withheld amounts within fourteen days of moving out, and deductions for normal wear and tear are expressly prohibited. If a landlord fails to meet this deadline or provide the required statement, the law provides that the landlord may be liable for the full deposit amount. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have been violated may consider documenting their move-out condition, sending a written demand to the landlord, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization or Washington's Attorney General's Office for general information about available options.
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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