Wash. Rev. Code » Title 59 · Chapter 59.18
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.240 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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So long as the tenant is in compliance with this chapter, the landlord shall not take or threaten to take reprisals or retaliatory action against the tenant because of any good faith and lawful:
(1) Complaints or reports by the tenant to a governmental authority concerning the failure of the landlord to substantially comply with any code, statute, ordinance, or regulation governing the maintenance or operation of the premises, if such condition may endanger or impair the health or safety of the tenant; or
(2) Assertions or enforcement by the tenant of his or her rights and remedies under this chapter.
"Reprisal or retaliatory action" shall mean and include but not be limited to any of the following actions by the landlord when such actions are intended primarily to retaliate against a tenant because of the tenant's good faith and lawful act:
(a) Eviction of the tenant;
(b) Increasing the rent required of the tenant;
(c) Reduction of services to the tenant; and
(d) Increasing the obligations of the tenant.
[ 2010 c 8 s 19025; 1983 c 264 s 9; 1973 1st ex.s. c 207 s 24.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: Stephanus v. Anderson, 613 P.2d 533 (Wash. Ct. App. 1980).
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Stephanus v. Anderson, 613 P.2d 533 (Wash. Ct. App. 1980). · cites it 13× “RCW 59.18.240 reads: So long as the tenant is in compliance with this chapter, the landlord shall not take or threaten to take reprisals or retaliatory action against the tenant because of any good faith and lawful: (1) Complaints or reports by the tenant to a governmental…”
State v. Schwab, 693 P.2d 108 (Wash. 1985). · cites it 2× “See RCW 59.18.240, .250. Additionally, the right to terminate for constructive eviction is an illusory remedy where there is a serious housing shortage for low income tenants.”
Lian v. Stalick, 106 Wash. App. 811 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “RCW 59.18.240, .250. Indeed, there is a presumption of retaliation if the landlord takes adverse action toward the tenant in the 90 days after the tenant enforces her rights under the RLTA.”
Lian v. Stalick, 25 P.3d 467 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “RCW 59.18.240, .250. Indeed, there is a presumption of retaliation if the landlord takes adverse action toward the tenant in the 90 days after the tenant enforces her rights under the RLTA.”
Helfrich v. Valdez Motel Corp., 207 P.3d 552 (Alaska 2009). · cites it 2× “§ 66-28-514 (1999) (prohibiting retaliation if tenant has "made use of remedies provided under this chapter"); Wash. Rev.Code § 59.18.240 (2004) (prohibiting retaliation for "[a]ssertions or enforcement by the tenant of his rights and remedies under this chapter").”
Wright v. Brady, 889 P.2d 105 (Idaho Ct. App. 1995). “385; Wash.Rev. Code § 59.18.240. See generally statutes cited in RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF PROPERTY § 14.”
Columbus Park v. Patricia Croghan (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 9× “These findings in turn support the trial court’s conclusion that Croghan’s allegation of retaliation under RCW 59.18.240 does not apply here. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in declining to admit one of Croghan’s proffered exhibits at trial because it contained…”
Jeannene Mitchell, V. Ywca King Snohomish Cnty. Officers (Wash. Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 6× “These actions violate my rights under RCW 59.18.240 and 59.18.250 of the Washington State Landlord-Tenant Act, which protect tenants from retaliation and ensure the freedom to report unsafe living conditions.”
Kristie J. Tedford, V Charles L. Guy, Angie Mattler (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 3× “Further, the Court rejects [Guy’s and Mattler’s] argument that [Tedford’s] Notice of Termination was a retaliatory act in violation of RCW 59.18.240. The Court specifically rules that, although [Guy and Mattler] informed [Tedford] about the absence of smoke detectors in the…”
Esterra Commons Venture, Llc, V. Justin Norton (Wash. Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 3× “Norton further relies on RCW 59.18.240 to argue that by proceeding with eviction after accepting partial payment—notwithstanding that the fact he presented no evidence of partial payment during the show cause hearing—his landlord demonstrated bad faith and retaliation.”
Fabian Vaksman v. Bruce Lystad (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “RCW 59.18.240 prohibits a landlord from retaliating against a tenant for any good faith and lawful complaint or assertion of rights.”
Eight Is Enough, Llc, V. Cynthia Ohlig (Wash. Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 2× “RCW 59.18.240. Again, “[i]f unlawful discrimination is the reason for an eviction, the defense certainly affects the tenant’s right of possession” and must be considered at a show cause hearing.”
Show all 16 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.240(1) — 1 case
Pac. NW Land, LLC, V. Sheila Swan (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.240(2) — 4 cases
Stephanus v. Anderson, 613 P.2d 533 (Wash. Ct. App. 1980). “RCW 59.18.240 reads: So long as the tenant is in compliance with this chapter, the landlord shall not take or threaten to take reprisals or retaliatory action against the tenant because of any good faith and lawful: (1) Complaints or reports by the tenant to a governmental…”
Eight Is Enough, Llc, V. Cynthia Ohlig (Wash. Ct. App. 2024). “RCW 59.18.240. Again, “[i]f unlawful discrimination is the reason for an eviction, the defense certainly affects the tenant’s right of possession” and must be considered at a show cause hearing.”
Jeannene Mitchell, V. Ywca King Snohomish Cnty. Officers (Wash. Ct. App. 2026). “These actions violate my rights under RCW 59.18.240 and 59.18.250 of the Washington State Landlord-Tenant Act, which protect tenants from retaliation and ensure the freedom to report unsafe living conditions.”
Pac. NW Land, LLC, V. Sheila Swan (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.240(2)(1) — 1 case
Stephanus v. Anderson, 613 P.2d 533 (Wash. Ct. App. 1980). “RCW 59.18.240 reads: So long as the tenant is in compliance with this chapter, the landlord shall not take or threaten to take reprisals or retaliatory action against the tenant because of any good faith and lawful: (1) Complaints or reports by the tenant to a governmental…”
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