Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28 § 59.28.120
Department of commerce -- Develop and provide information and technical assistance.
Operative Text
The department of commerce shall within ninety days after March 31, 2000, consult with all interested stakeholders and develop and provide to owners and tenants of federally assisted housing, state and local agencies, and other interested persons all of the following: (1) Written information concerning the legal rights, responsibilities, and options of owners and tenants when an owner intends to prepay a mortgage or loan or terminate a rental assistance contract. This information shall include the name and telephone number of any qualified legal aid program that provides civil legal services to indigent persons and of any other state, regional, or local organization that can be contacted to request additional information about an owner's responsibilities and the rights and options of an affected tenant; (2) Written information sufficient to enable an owner of federally assisted housing to comply with the notification requirements of this chapter, including the name and address of any public housing agency that would be responsible for administering tenant-based rental assistance to persons who would otherwise be displaced from federally assisted housing; and (3) Any other information or technical assistance the department determines will further the purposes of this chapter.
Washington Revised Code § 59.28.120 directs the state Department of Commerce to develop and distribute written materials to owners and tenants of federally assisted housing, as well as to state and local agencies and other interested parties. These materials must cover the legal rights, responsibilities, and options that arise when a property owner plans to prepay a mortgage or end a rental assistance contract, and must include contact information for legal aid programs and relevant organizations. The Department is also required to provide guidance sufficient to help owners meet the notification requirements of Chapter 59.28, including identifying public housing agencies that could administer tenant-based assistance for potentially displaced residents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 59.28.120, the Washington Department of Commerce is the primary source of official written guidance for owners of federally assisted housing who are considering prepaying a mortgage or terminating a rental assistance contract. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the materials the Department has developed under this provision, which outline notification requirements and identify the public housing agencies responsible for administering tenant-based rental assistance. Staying current with these resources helps owners understand their obligations under the broader Chapter 59.28 framework before initiating any prepayment or contract termination process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Washington Revised Code § 59.28.120 entitles tenants in federally assisted housing to receive written information—developed by the Department of Commerce—explaining their legal rights and options when an owner intends to prepay a mortgage or end a rental assistance contract. This information must include contact details for qualified legal aid programs that serve low-income individuals, as well as other state, regional, or local organizations that can provide further guidance. Tenants who believe they have not received required information may consider reaching out to the Department of Commerce, a local legal aid program, or a tenant-rights organization to learn more about protections available under Chapter 59.28.
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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