Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.340
Arbitration -- Fee.
Operative Text
The administrative fee for this arbitration procedure shall be established by agreement of the parties and the arbitrator and, unless otherwise allocated by the arbitrator, shall be shared equally by the parties: PROVIDED, That upon either party signing an affidavit to the effect that he or she is unable to pay his or her share of the fee, that portion of the fee may be waived or deferred.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.340, when landlord-tenant disputes go through the statutory arbitration process, the administrative fee is set by mutual agreement among the parties and the arbitrator. Unless the arbitrator decides otherwise, each side pays an equal share of that fee. A financial hardship exception exists: if either party signs an affidavit stating they cannot afford their share, that portion of the fee may be waived or postponed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.340 establishes that landlords entering arbitration under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act generally expect to share the administrative fee equally with the tenant, unless the arbitrator allocates costs differently. Compliant operators come prepared to negotiate the fee amount with the other party and the arbitrator at the outset of the proceeding. Landlords should also be aware that a tenant's fee share may be waived or deferred if the tenant submits a qualifying hardship affidavit, which could affect how costs are ultimately distributed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.340 gives tenants a meaningful protection in the arbitration process: if a tenant cannot afford their share of the administrative fee, they may sign an affidavit to that effect and request that their portion be waived or deferred. The fee itself is determined by agreement among both parties and the arbitrator, and the arbitrator has discretion to allocate costs in a way other than an equal split. Tenants who believe they qualify for a fee waiver or who have questions about the arbitration process may find it helpful to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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