What Owners Need to Know

Timely repairs are a core part of maintaining a safe, habitable rental home.

Washington State sets specific timelines that determine how quickly landlords must respond once a tenant reports an issue in writing. Email counts as written notice if the lease allows it. Below is a clear breakdown of the required repair timeframes, along with the remedies available to tenants when repairs are not completed on time.

24 Hour Repairs: Emergency or Immediate Danger

Landlords must begin repairs within 24 hours when the issue threatens health or safety or makes the home uninhabitable. Common examples include:
• No heat during winter
• No water or no hot water
• Sewage backup
• Major electrical hazards
• Serious leaks or flooding

72 Hour Repairs: Essential Services

Landlords must begin repairs within 72 hours when important services fail but the issue does not meet the emergency definition. Examples include:
• Refrigerator not working
• Stove or oven failure
• Partial electrical outages
• Broken exterior doors or locks

10 Day Repairs: Standard Issues

Landlords must begin repairs within 10 days for non essential problems that do not impact habitability. Examples include:
• Minor leaks
• Damaged drywall
• Appliance failures that do not affect health or safety
• Cosmetic issues

Tenant Remedies if Repairs Are Not Started on Time

If the landlord does not begin repairs within the required timeframe, tenants may use remedies available under Washington law. These include:
• Hiring a licensed professional and deducting the cost from rent, following proper notice and legal limits
• Ending the lease for major habitability failures
• Seeking damages or other remedies allowed by RCW 59.18.100

By staying ahead of maintenance needs and responding quickly to tenant concerns, property owners protect their investment and maintain strong relationships with residents. At Maple Leaf Property Management, our team ensures repairs are handled within legal timelines and recorded accurately to maintain compliance.

Source Link

Washington repair timelines and tenant remedies are defined in the Residential Landlord Tenant Act. See RCW 59.18.100 for the official statute on landlord repair responsibilities and tenant remedies.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.100

https://www.seattle.gov/rentinginseattle/renters/managing-the-rental-relationship/repair-requests