A new law went into effect July 24, 2005 that requires Washington landlords to make disclosures to all tenants regarding
potential health hazards of mold.
The legislature found that "residents of the state face preventable exposures to mold" and that such exposure has "been
found to have adverse health effects".
The new mold disclosure law further states in the legislative findings that "steps can be taken by landlords and tenants
to minimize exposure to indoor mold". And that as "the reduction of exposure to mold in buildings could reduce the rising
number of mold-related claims submitted to insurance companies and increase the availability of coverage, the legislature
supports providing tenants and landlords with information designed to minimize the public's exposure to mold".
The new law requires landlords to provide all new tenants with information provided or approved by the Department of
Health about the health hazards associated with exposure to indoor mold. The information must be provided in writing
either individually to each tenant, or may be posted in a visible, public location at the dwelling unit property.
The landlord must provide the information:
1) to new tenants at the time the lease or rental agreement is signed, and
2) to current tenants no later than January 1, 2006, or post the mold information in a visible, public location at the
dwelling unit property beginning the effective date of the act (July 24, 2005).
Washington landlord attorney Scott Eller
