Washington Repair Request Letter to Landlord
A free Washington repair request letter to landlord that follows Washington law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.
What Washington law says
| Repair and deduct | Yes. After written notice and the landlord's failure to start repairs within the statutory period, tenant may (a) hire a licensed/qualified contractor and deduct up to two months' rent per repair (max two months' rent in any 12 months), or (b) make the repair personally and deduct up to one month's rent per repair (max one month's rent in any 12 months). Source: RCW 59.18.100; RCW 59.18.070 |
|---|---|
| Withholding rent | No general right to withhold rent. Tenant may deposit rent into an escrow account only after a local government official certifies a condition that substantially endangers health or safety and the landlord fails to repair; tenant must notify the landlord within 24 hours of the deposit using the sworn form. Source: RCW 59.18.115 |
| Landlord retaliation | Landlord may not evict, raise rent, reduce services or increase obligations (or threaten to) in retaliation for good-faith complaints to a government authority about code violations or for asserting rights under RCW 59.18. Action within 90 days after the protected act (or a resulting inspection/proceeding) is presumed retaliatory. Source: RCW 59.18.240; RCW 59.18.250 |
| Heat | Yes. The landlord must provide facilities adequate to supply heat (and water and hot water) as reasonably required by the tenant, and keep heating facilities it supplies in reasonably good working order. After notice, a defect depriving the tenant of heat must be remedied within 24 hours (where possible). State law sets no minimum indoor temperature or heating season. |
| Mold | Disclosure required: the landlord must give tenants information provided or approved by the Department of Health about the health hazards of indoor mold and how tenants can control mold growth, either in writing to each tenant or posted in a visible public location on the property. The landlord is immune from civil liability for failing to do so unless the failure is knowing and intentional. There is no mold-specific remediation standard; mold is handled under the landlord's general duty to keep the premises fit for habitation, comply with health and safety codes and make repairs. |
Fill in your letter
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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]
From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]
I am asking you to repair the following problems at my rental: [describe each problem, where it is, and when it started].
I first reported this on [date first reported] by [phone, text, email, portal or letter].
Please make these repairs by [date]. You may enter to make repairs after giving the notice required by law; times that work for me: [access times].
Washington law protects tenants from retaliation for asking for repairs (RCW 59.18.240; RCW 59.18.250).
Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________
How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.
Repair Request Letter to Landlord templates for other states · All Washington landlord-tenant rules · Free legal help in Washington
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.