It looks like this week’s heat wave has passed, and we’ve returned to mild summer weather.
But, did you know… If you want to be ready for the next round of hot weather, you have the right to install AC in your rental?
This is thanks to a new Washington state law (Senate bill 6200) that went into effect in June this year.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Landlords aren’t required to provide AC units, but in most cases, they cannot ban tenants from installing their own. The law applies to both traditional rental units and mobile homes.
- The bill explicitly addresses three types of units: window-mounted, saddle-mounted, and floor-mounted (portable).
- Tenants must give their landlord at least two days’ notice before installing a window unit.
- Units must be securely installed, cannot require excessive brackets that damage the window, and must allow accessible exterior windows to lock safely.
- Landlords can require an inspection of the installed unit. They can only ban window units if their property insurance policy explicitly prohibits them.
- Portable floor-mounted and saddle-mounted AC units have significantly fewer restrictions than window units.
