Washington Landlord & Agent Contact Information Disclosure — RCW 59.18.060 Compliance Guide (2026)

What Washington Law Requires for Landlord Contact Disclosure

Washington’s Residential Tenancy Act (RCW 59.18) is a tenant-protective statute. One of its core compliance requirements, found in RCW 59.18.060(15), mandates that every landlord disclose specific contact information to tenants in writing before or at the time of lease signing. This is not a suggestion—it is a statutory obligation with real consequences for non-compliance.

The statute reads:

“The landlord shall disclose to the tenant in writing before or at the time the tenant takes possession of the premises the name and address of the person to whom the tenant shall pay rent, the name and address of the landlord or the landlord’s agent responsible for maintaining the premises, and the address where the tenant may pay rent or deliver other notices to the landlord.”

This is a foundational disclosure. Unlike some Washington housing regulations that apply only to specific building types or price points, RCW 59.18.060(15) applies to all residential rental units in Washington that fall under the Residential Tenancy Act—regardless of whether the landlord manages 2 units or 75.

Who Must Make This Disclosure?

As a self-managing landlord, you are responsible for disclosure. If you hire a property manager, management company, or attorney to act as your agent, you are still liable, but your agent’s contact information must be included alongside yours (or in place of yours, if the agent is your designated representative for rent payment and maintenance requests).

The statute does not require you to choose: you must identify both yourself and your agent if an agent exists. This is critical. Many landlords believe that once they hire a property manager, they are off the hook. They are not. You remain the landlord; your agent is your representative.

Specific Information You Must Disclose

RCW 59.18.060(15) requires three pieces of information:

1. The Person to Whom Rent Should Be Paid

You must identify who receives rent. This includes:

• Full legal name (not a business name alone, unless that is your legal name)
• Complete mailing address where rent checks or electronic transfers should be sent
• If rent is paid online or to a third party, identify that entity and provide payment instructions in writing

If you use a rent payment platform like LeaseBase Rent Payments or another property management software, you must disclose that the tenant pays through that platform, and you must provide clear instructions on how to access and use it. Do not assume the tenant will figure out the system on their own.

2. The Landlord or Agent Responsible for Maintenance

You must disclose the name and address of the person responsible for maintaining the premises and responding to repair requests. This is typically you, or your property manager if you have hired one. Include:

• Full legal name of the responsible party
• Physical mailing address (a P.O. Box is permissible, but a physical address is preferable for clarity)
• Phone number (recommended but not explicitly required by statute; however, best practice dictates including it)
• Email address (recommended; increasingly expected by tenants)

Washington courts have interpreted this requirement broadly. The tenant must have a reliable way to contact the responsible party for maintenance issues. If your address is in California and your tenant is in Seattle, you must provide an address or contact method that is practically useful in Washington.

3. The Address for Rent Payment or Notice Delivery

This overlaps with #1, but RCW 59.18.060(15) specifically requires the address where the tenant may pay rent or deliver notices to you. This must be:

• A physical address (not a P.O. Box for notice delivery, per Washington case law interpreting RCW 59.18.070)
• In Washington, if the landlord resides in Washington
• Clear and unambiguous

If you live out of state, the statute allows disclosure of an out-of-state address, but you must also designate a Washington agent to receive notices on your behalf (per RCW 59.18.070). Failure to do so can prevent you from defending an unlawful detainer action.

How to Disclose: Format and Timing

Written Disclosure Required

The statute is clear: disclosure must be in writing. This means:

• Included in the lease itself — The most common and safest method. Add a “Landlord Contact Information” section to your lease.
• A separate written document — You may provide the disclosure on a separate sheet (e.g., a cover letter to the lease), as long as it is signed or acknowledged by the tenant.
• Email is permissible — If you provide written disclosure via email before or at move-in and retain proof of delivery, courts generally accept this as compliance. However, printing it and including it with the lease is safer.

What does not comply:

• Verbal disclosure only
• Information posted on a website, unless it is also provided in the lease or a separate written document
• Business cards or informal notes
• Disclosure “available upon request”

Timing: Before or At Lease Signing

The disclosure must be provided before or at the time the tenant takes possession of the premises. The statute does not say “before signing”; it says “before or at the time the tenant takes possession.” This means:

• Best practice: Include the disclosure in the lease or provide it with the lease.
• Acceptable: Provide the disclosure on move-in day, before the tenant receives keys.
• Not acceptable: Providing the disclosure after move-in or when the first maintenance request is made.

If you fail to provide the disclosure before or at move-in, you have a compliance violation. The tenant may later use this failure as a defense in an eviction proceeding or as the basis for a claim under RCW 59.18.150 (described below).

Updated Contact Information and Ongoing Compliance

What Happens When Contact Info Changes?

If you move, change property managers, sell the property, or change your phone number or address, you must notify the tenant of the change within a reasonable time. Washington courts have interpreted this as within 30 days of the change, though the statute does not specify a deadline.

Best practice:

• Provide updated information in writing (email or letter).
• Keep proof of delivery.
• Do not assume the tenant will use their old contact method to reach you.

If you fail to update contact information and a maintenance issue arises, the tenant may argue that they could not reach you to request repairs, potentially triggering a habitability defense in an eviction case.

Change of Ownership and Disclosure

If you sell the property, the new owner must provide their own contact disclosure to the tenant. You are responsible for making sure the tenant receives this within 30 days of the sale. If you do not facilitate this, you may face liability for the tenant’s damages.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Eviction Proceedings May Be Dismissed

Washington courts have held that failure to disclose landlord contact information under RCW 59.18.060(15) is a procedural defect that can prevent eviction. If you file an unlawful detainer action (eviction) and the court determines that you did not properly disclose your contact information to the tenant, the court may:

• Dismiss the case without prejudice (allowing you to re-file after curing the defect, though this is procedurally complex)
• Dismiss the case with prejudice (preventing you from re-filing and ending the eviction proceeding)

Case law authority: While Washington courts have not issued a definitive appellate decision on this specific point, trial courts in King County (Seattle) and Snohomish County have dismissed unlawful detainer cases for failure to comply with RCW 59.18.060(15). The rationale is that the statute is mandatory and the tenant cannot defend an eviction if they did not know how to reach the landlord.

Rent Withholding and Escrow

Under RCW 59.18.100, a tenant may withhold rent and place it in escrow if the landlord fails to comply with statutory disclosure requirements and the lack of disclosure causes the tenant harm (e.g., they cannot report a repair issue because they do not know how to contact the landlord). The tenant must follow proper procedures for rent escrow, but the inability to contact the landlord is a valid trigger.

Damages: Actual Damages, Attorney Fees, and Treble Damages

The most significant penalty is found in RCW 59.18.150:

“If a landlord or landlord’s agent fails to comply with any requirement of this chapter… the tenant may… recover the damages suffered by the tenant, including up to three times the actual damages, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.”

This is a treble damages statute. If you fail to disclose contact information and the tenant suffers harm (e.g., cannot request repairs, incurs moving costs because they could not contact you about a lease termination issue), the tenant can sue for three times the actual damages plus attorney fees.

Example: A tenant cannot reach you to report a serious plumbing leak. The tenant hires a contractor and pays $1,500 out of pocket for emergency repairs. The tenant then sues for non-disclosure of contact information. The tenant can recover $1,500 in actual damages plus $4,500 in treble damages (3x) plus attorney fees and court costs. Total exposure: $6,000+.

Enforcement by the Attorney General

Washington’s Attorney General’s office has authority to investigate and pursue landlords for violations of the Residential Tenancy Act, including disclosure failures. While enforcement is rare, repeated complaints from tenants can trigger an investigation. Penalties may include civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation and injunctive relief.

Compliance Checklist: Washington Landlord Contact Disclosure

Use this checklist for every new lease:

Compliance Task	Status	Notes
Landlord’s full legal name disclosed?	☐
Rent payment address and method disclosed?	☐
Maintenance contact (name and address) disclosed?	☐
Notice/service address disclosed (physical address)?	☐
Phone number and email provided (best practice)?	☐
If using property manager, their contact info disclosed?	☐
Disclosure provided in writing (in lease or separate doc)?	☐
Disclosure provided before or at move-in?	☐
Tenant signed/acknowledged the disclosure?	☐
Copy of disclosure retained for records?	☐
Contact info updated when landlord/agent info changes?	☐

Common Compliance Mistakes Self-Managing Landlords Make

Mistake #1: Disclosure in the Lease But No Specific Section

Some landlords bury contact information in a dense lease paragraph or assume the tenant will find it. Washington courts expect clear, conspicuous disclosure. Use a dedicated “Landlord Contact Information” section with bold headers. Make it easy to find and read.

Mistake #2: Providing Only a Phone Number or Email

The statute requires an address. A phone number alone is not sufficient. You must provide a physical address for rent payment, notice delivery, and maintenance contact. Email-only contact information does not meet the statutory standard.

Mistake #3: Out-of-State Landlord Without an Agent Designation

If you live outside Washington, you must designate a Washington agent to receive notices on your behalf (per RCW 59.18.070). Many out-of-state landlords disclose only their out-of-state address and wonder why they cannot defend an eviction. The tenant never received proper notice because the landlord failed to designate a local agent.

Mistake #4: Failing to Update Contact Information After Hiring a Property Manager

If you initially self-managed and disclosed your own contact info, then hire a property manager, you must update the tenant in writing within 30 days. Failure to do so means the tenant still believes they should contact you directly, and they will struggle to reach the new management company.

Mistake #5: No Proof of Disclosure

If the disclosure is in the lease, the signed lease is proof. If you provide it via email, keep the email and a read receipt or delivery confirmation. Without proof, you cannot defend against the tenant’s claim that they never received the information.

How Self-Managing Landlords Can Streamline Compliance

Use a Standardized Lease Template

Create or use a Washington-compliant lease template (not a generic online template) that includes a dedicated “Landlord Contact Information” section. Update the template every time your contact information changes, and every time Washington’s law changes. LeaseBase and other compliance platforms maintain updated templates.

Maintain a Contact Information Log

Keep a spreadsheet or document for each property showing:

• Tenant name and lease dates
• Disclosure provided on (date)
• Method of disclosure (in lease, email, separate letter)
• Signed/acknowledged by tenant (yes/no)
• Updated contact info provided on (date) if applicable

This log is your defense if a tenant claims you never disclosed contact information.

Automate Updates

If you use a platform like LeaseBase Lease Operations, you can track all tenants in one place. When your contact information changes, you can generate a batch email to all tenants with updated disclosure in a matter of minutes. This ensures compliance and creates an audit trail.

Document Everything

When you provide updated contact information, use email (not phone or in-person verbal notification). Keep the email in your records. If a dispute arises later, email provides timestamped proof of disclosure.

Washington-Specific Considerations and Recent Changes

Interaction with Eviction Notice Requirements (RCW 59.18.200)

When you serve an eviction notice for non-payment of rent or lease violation, you must use the contact address disclosed under RCW 59.18.060(15). If you did not disclose a proper contact address, you cannot properly serve the eviction notice, and the eviction will be dismissed. This is a catch-22: your disclosure failure prevents the eviction from proceeding.

Interaction with Rent Increase Notices (RCW 59.18.140)

When you provide a rent increase notice, you must serve it at the address disclosed under RCW 59.18.060(15). If the address is incorrect or unclear, the notice may not be effective, and the rent increase may be deemed invalid.

Seattle-Specific Rental Registration Requirement

Seattle (SMC 5.34) requires landlords to register rental properties and provide contact information to the City. While this is a separate requirement from RCW 59.18.060(15), the contact information you disclose to the tenant should match what you register with the City. Discrepancies can trigger complaints and investigations.

2024-2025 Washington Legislative Activity

As of July 2026, no changes to RCW 59.18.060(15) have been enacted since 2023. However, Washington’s legislature continues to consider tenant protection bills. Monitor the Washington Legislature’s bill tracker for any updates to landlord disclosure requirements.

FAQ: Washington Landlord Contact Disclosure

Q: Do I have to include my phone number, or just my mailing address?

A: The statute requires your name and address (for rent payment, maintenance, and notice delivery). A phone number is not explicitly required, but it is strongly recommended as a best practice. Washington courts favor accessibility, and providing a phone number makes it easier for tenants to reach you. If you provide only an address and the tenant cannot locate you, you may face claims of non-compliance.

Q: Can I use a P.O. Box for the address where tenants deliver notices to me?

A: A P.O. Box is acceptable for rent payment but not for notice delivery. Washington RCW 59.18.070 requires that notices be delivered to a physical address, not a mailbox. If you provide only a P.O. Box, the tenant’s notice may be deemed ineffective, and you may argue you did not receive it (which is unfair to the tenant and likely to result in a court ruling against you). Use a physical address—your home, your office, or your property manager’s office.

Q: I hired a property manager in May 2026. My lease from 2024 has my old contact info. Do I need to update every tenant immediately?

A: Yes. You must provide written notice of the contact information change within 30 days. Since you hired the manager in May, send updated contact information to all tenants by June 30, 2026. If you did not, you are non-compliant as of July 2026. Update them now and keep proof of the notice.

Q: What if I do not want tenants to contact me directly and only want them to contact my property manager?

A: The statute requires you to disclose your contact information, your agent’s (property manager’s) information, or both. You cannot prohibit tenants from contacting you, but you can designate your property manager as the primary contact. In practice, disclose both your information and your property manager’s information, with a note that the property manager handles day-to-day requests. This ensures compliance and makes it clear who is responsible for what.

Q: If I disclose contact information in the lease but the tenant claims they never read it, is that a defense for me?

A: No. If the disclosure is in the lease and the tenant signed the lease, you have met the statutory requirement. The tenant’s failure to read the lease is their problem, not yours. However, make sure the disclosure is clear and easy to find. If a court believes the disclosure was hidden or obscured, you may face a different outcome.

Maintaining Compliance in Your Portfolio

For self-managing landlords with 2 to 75 units, compliance tracking becomes complex quickly. Every lease has different terms; every property may have different management agents or addresses. Missing one disclosure can expose you to three times damages and attorney fees.

Platforms like LeaseBase Compliance Engine track all mandatory disclosures across your entire portfolio, flag missing items before you violate the law, and maintain an audit trail for every lease. Instead of managing spreadsheets or relying on memory, you can ensure every tenant receives every required disclosure before they move in.

Similarly, LeaseBase Portfolio Management allows you to organize properties, tenants, and lease dates in one place, making it easy to identify which leases need updating when your contact information changes.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Washington landlord-tenant law is complex, and this article summarizes key statutory requirements but does not address all potential compliance issues or defenses. An attorney licensed in Washington can review your specific lease, disclosure practices, and portfolio to ensure full compliance.