Landlords must inform tenants about the Washington State law requiring flood-risk disclosure and to inform tenants most rental insurance policies do not cover floods.
Washington lawmakers approved legislation requiring landlords to disclose when rental units are in areas at risk of flooding and to inform tenants that standard renters’ insurance does not cover flood damage.
The bill, prompted by flooding in Western Washington that displaced renters, would apply to leases signed after Dec. 31, 2026, and recommends tenants consider purchasing flood insurance, according to the Seattle Timess.
Why it matters to rental property owners
Disclosure requirements for rental housing continue to expand nationwide.
While the new Washington rule is relatively narrow, it reflects a broader regulatory trend toward increasing landlord disclosure obligations related to climate risks, insurance coverage, and property conditions.
Unlike some states, including Oregon, California and Texas, Washington only required flood risk disclosures in home sales — not in rental leases.
The bill passed with bipartisan support — and no strong opposition from major landlord groups. But some say there’s still work to be done.
Sean Flynn, president of the Rental Housing Association of Washington, was initially concerned that a disclosure requirement would cause unnecessary fear and ostracism of certain properties. But with the requirement only applying to leases, and not rental advertisements, he’s changed his tune according to the Seattle Times.
“What ended up getting passed, I think, meets everyone’s goals and is a good bill,” he said. “It’s pretty reasonable.”
About the author:
Aaron Kirk Douglas is a multifaceted storyteller and market analyst. His career spans journalism, creative nonfiction, filmmaking, and real estate research. He serves as Director of Market Intelligence at HFO Investment Real Estate/GREA, the Pacific Northwest’s leading multifamily brokerage.
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