Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20 § 59.20.134
Written receipts for payments made by tenant.
Operative Text
(1) A landlord must accept a personal check, cashier's check, or money order for any payment of rent made by a tenant, except that a landlord is not required to accept a personal check from any tenant that has had a personal check written to the landlord or the landlord's agent that has been returned for nonsufficient funds or account closure within the previous nine months. A landlord must also allow for the tenant to submit a rental payment by mail unless the landlord provides an accessible, on-site location. (2) A landlord shall provide a written receipt for any payment made by a tenant in the form of cash. (3) A landlord shall provide, upon the request of a tenant, a written receipt for any payments made by the tenant in a form other than cash.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.134, landlords in Washington are generally required to accept personal checks, cashier's checks, or money orders as forms of rent payment, with a narrow exception allowing landlords to refuse personal checks from tenants who have had a check returned for nonsufficient funds or account closure within the past nine months. Landlords must also permit tenants to pay by mail unless an accessible on-site payment location is provided. Additionally, written receipts must be issued automatically for any cash payments, and upon request for any non-cash payments.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Compliant operators under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.134 maintain payment acceptance policies that include personal checks, cashier's checks, and money orders, and document any NSF or account-closure history that would justify declining a personal check within the nine-month lookback window. They ensure that a mailing address is available for rent payments unless an accessible on-site drop-off location is provided. Operators also issue written receipts automatically for every cash payment received and have a process in place to promptly provide written receipts for non-cash payments whenever a tenant requests one.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.134 gives tenants the right to pay rent by personal check, cashier's check, or money order, and to submit payments by mail if no accessible on-site location exists. Tenants who pay in cash are entitled to a written receipt without having to ask, and those who pay by other means can request a written receipt at any time. Tenants who believe their landlord is not complying with these requirements may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, raising the issue with a housing authority, or consulting an attorney 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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