These pages are provided by the Attorney General's Office to give general information about the state's:
How to Handle a Complaint Against a Landlord or Tenant
Residential Landlord-Tenant Dispute: In a 1985 decision (State v. Schwab), the Washington Supreme Court ruled that a violation of the Landlord Tenant Act is not a per se violation of Washington State's Consumer Protection Act. As a result, the Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division is prohibited from acting as a private attorney on an isolated residential landlord-tenant complaint. If your complaint demands immediate legal action, you should consider private legal action in Small Claims Court (no attorney necessary) if your claim is under $4,000. If your complaint involves more than $4,000, you should seek a private attorney. You might also consider arbitration.
Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Dispute: In a 2001 Appellate Court decision (Ethridge v. Hwang), the court held that the Consumer Protection Act applies to mobile/manufactured home tenancies. Consequently, the Attorney General’s Office does accept and mediate complaints concerning tenancies from individuals who are mobile/manufactured home owners and are renting space for their homes. In addition, E2SHB 1461, passed by the State Legislature in 2007, provides for the Attorney General to administer a manufactured/mobile home dispute resolution program that aims specifically to resolve disputes regarding alleged violations of the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act.
To Contact the Consumer Resource Centers of the Attorney General:
Statewide (800) 551-4636
Bellingham (360) 738-6185
Seattle (206) 464-6684
Spokane (509) 456-3123
Tacoma (253) 593-2904
Vancouver (360) 759-2150
For Further Information:
The Attorney General's Office has a policy of providing equal access to its services. If you need to receive the information in this brochure in an alternate format, please call (206) 464-6684.
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Residential Landlord-Tenant Act | Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant | Resources & Links