Renter's Handbook

Landlords are required by law to provide tenants with the Renter's Handbook when:

  1. A tenant signs their initial rental agreement (printed copy required)
  2. At the renewal of a rental agreement
  3. Annually for month-to-month tenants
  4. The City makes updates:

The City's Renting in Seattle program produces the Renter's Handbook. The handbook summarizes rental regulations and outlines the obligations and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords throughout the rental cycle. It also provides tips and best practices to help enhance the landlord/tenant relationship. You must give a printed copy to your tenant when you sign an initial rental agreement. Subsequent copies can be sent electronically.

Translated versions are available in Amharic, Chinese(Simplified), Chinese(Traditional), Khmer, Korean, Lao, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Thai, Tigrinya, Vietnamese.

Renting in Seattle

Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA, 98124
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA, 98124-4019
Phone: (206) 684-5700
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The Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) includes permitting, construction inspections, code compliance and tenant protections, and rental housing registration and inspections.