Washington — Ch. 26 Art. III Housing § 26-62
Lodginghouse or boardinghouse; duty of owner
Operative Text
Every owner, lessee, tenant, or manager of any tenement house, lodginghouse, or boardinghouse shall cause every part thereof and its appurtenances to be put, and shall thereafter cause the same to be kept, in a clean and wholesome condition, and shall speedily cause every apartment thereof in which any person may sleep or dwell to be adequately lighted and ventilated.
Washington § 26-62 establishes a continuous cleanliness and habitability standard for tenement houses, lodginghouses, and boardinghouses. Under this provision, every part of such a building—including its appurtenances—must be maintained in a clean and wholesome condition, and any room used for sleeping or dwelling must be adequately lit and ventilated. The obligation applies not just at move-in but on an ongoing basis, and it extends to owners, lessees, tenants, and managers alike.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of lodginghouses, boardinghouses, or tenement houses covered by § 26-62 are generally expected to establish routine cleaning and maintenance schedules that keep all areas of the property—including common spaces and appurtenances—in a clean and wholesome state. Compliant operators also ensure that every sleeping or dwelling room has sufficient lighting and ventilation before occupancy and maintain those conditions throughout the tenancy. Documenting inspections and remediation efforts can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with the provision's continuous-maintenance requirement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 26-62 gives residents of lodginghouses, boardinghouses, and tenement houses a basis to expect that their sleeping and dwelling spaces will be kept clean, wholesome, adequately lit, and properly ventilated throughout their stay. If conditions fall short of these standards, tenants may have grounds to raise a violation of § 26-62 in a housing complaint or as a defense in related proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations in Washington can help residents understand what documentation to gather and which local or state agencies handle habitability complaints.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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