Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.590
Death of a tenant -- Designated person.
Operative Text
(1)(a) At a landlord's request, the tenant may designate a person to act for the tenant on the tenant's death when the tenant is the sole occupant of the dwelling unit. (b) Any designation must be in writing, be separate from the rental agreement, and include: (i) The designated person's name, mailing address, any address used for the receipt of electronic communications, and telephone number; (ii) A signed statement authorizing the landlord in the event of the tenant's death when the tenant is the sole occupant of the dwelling unit to allow the designated person to: Access the tenant's dwelling unit, remove the tenant's property, receive refunds of amounts due to the tenant, and dispose of the tenant's property consistent with the tenant's last will and testament and any applicable intestate succession law; and (iii) A conspicuous statement that the designation remains in effect until it is revoked in writing by the tenant or replaced with a new designation. (2) A tenant may, without request from the landlord, designate a person to act for the tenant on the tenant's death when the tenant is the sole occupant of the dwelling unit by providing the landlord with the information and signing a statement as provided in subsection (1) of this section. (3) The tenant may change the designated person or revoke any previous designation in writing at any time prior to his or her death. (4) Once the landlord or the designated person knows of the appointment of a personal representative for the deceased tenant's estate or of a person claiming to be a successor of the deceased tenant who has provided the landlord with proof of death and an affidavit made by the person that meets the requirements of RCW 11.62.010 (2), the designated person's authority to act under this section terminates.
Washington law under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.590 establishes a voluntary system allowing a tenant who is the sole occupant of a dwelling unit to formally designate someone to handle their affairs after death. The designation must be a separate written document—not part of the lease—and must include the designated person's contact information, a signed authorization, and a notice that the designation stays in effect until revoked or replaced in writing. The designated person's authority automatically ends once a personal representative of the estate is appointed or a qualified successor comes forward with proper documentation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.590, landlords may request that a sole-occupant tenant complete a written designation form, but the tenant is not required to do so. Compliant operators keep any completed designation on file as a document separate from the rental agreement and recognize that the designated person's authority is limited to accessing the unit, removing and disposing of property, and receiving applicable refunds. Landlords should also be aware that the designated person's authority terminates once a personal representative or qualified successor presents proof of death and a proper affidavit under RCW 11.62.010(2).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.590 gives sole-occupant tenants the right to name a trusted person to manage their belongings and receive refunds on their behalf after death, and this can be done with or without a landlord's request. The designation is a separate written document from the lease and remains in effect until the tenant revokes or replaces it in writing, giving tenants ongoing control over who holds that authority. Tenants who have questions about how to complete a valid designation or what rights it confers may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Washington landlord-tenant law.
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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