Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20 § 59.20.270
Arbitration -- Application -- Hearings -- Decisions.
Operative Text
(1) If the landlord and tenant agree to submit the matter to arbitration, the parties shall complete an application for arbitration and deliver it to the selected arbitrator. (2) The arbitrator shall schedule a hearing to be held no later than ten days following receipt of the application. (3) Reasonable notice of the hearings shall be given to the parties, who shall appear and be heard either in person, by counsel, or by other representative. Hearings shall be informal and the rules of evidence prevailing in judicial proceedings shall not be binding. Hearings may be public or private. The proceedings may be recorded. Any oral or documentary evidence and other data deemed relevant by the arbitrator may be received in evidence. The arbitrator may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and require the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, contracts, agreements, and documents deemed by the arbitrator to be material to a just determination of the issues in dispute. If a person refuses to obey a subpoena or refuses to be sworn to testify, or any witness, party, or attorney is guilty of any contempt while in attendance at any hearing held under this section, the arbitrator may invoke the jurisdiction of any district or superior court, and the court shall have jurisdiction to issue an appropriate order. Failure to obey the order may be punished by the court as contempt. (4) Within five days after the hearing, the arbitrator shall make a written decision upon the issues presented. A copy of the decision shall be mailed by certified mail or otherwise delivered to the parties or their designated representatives. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon all parties. (5) If a dispute exists affecting more than one tenant in a similar manner, the arbitrator may with the consent of the parties consolidate the cases into a single proceeding. (6) Decisions of the arbitrator shall be enforced or appealed under chapter 7.04A RCW.
Washington's Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act, at Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.270, establishes a structured arbitration process for disputes between landlords and tenants who mutually agree to use it. Once an application is submitted, a hearing must be held within ten days, conducted informally without strict rules of evidence, and a written decision must be issued within five days of the hearing. That decision is final and binding on all parties, and it can be enforced or appealed under Washington's Uniform Arbitration Act (chapter 7.04A RCW).
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.270, landlords who agree to arbitration are expected to promptly complete and deliver the joint application to the selected arbitrator and participate in the scheduled hearing, which must occur within ten days of the application's receipt. Compliant operators generally appear at the hearing—whether in person, through counsel, or through another representative—and cooperate with any subpoenas or document requests the arbitrator issues. Because the arbitrator's written decision, issued within five days of the hearing, is final and binding, operators typically treat the arbitration process with the same seriousness as formal litigation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.270 gives tenants who agree to arbitration the right to participate in a hearing scheduled within ten days of the application, appearing in person, through an attorney, or through another representative of their choosing. The informal nature of the proceedings means strict courtroom evidence rules do not apply, and the arbitrator has authority to compel witnesses and documents relevant to the dispute. Because the resulting decision is final and binding and enforceable under chapter 7.04A RCW, tenants facing a dispute may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand what agreeing to arbitration under this section means before submitting an application.
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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