Are there laws that prohibit discrimination against tenants?

Yes, there are laws that prohibit discrimination against tenants in Washington. The Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) protects people from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. The WLAD covers all areas of housing including leasing. Under the WLAD, it is illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to someone based on any of the above characteristics. Additionally, landlords may not discriminate against tenants by offering different or lower-quality services, setting different rent fees and deposits, or applying different lease terms. The WLAD also stipulates other protections for tenants, such as prohibiting landlords from maintaining policies or practices that are intended to exclude tenants based on their protected characteristics. For instance, landlords may not change the terms and conditions of a rental agreement after a tenant has moved in if the changes are intended to exclude the tenant from their rights. The WLAD also protects tenants from retaliatory eviction. This means landlords may not attempt to evict a tenant for making a legitimate complaint about their rental housing. Additionally, landlords must provide all tenants with a clear set of rights, such as the right to terminate a rental agreement. Overall, the Washington Law Against Discrimination provides important protections to tenants against all forms of discrimination when it comes to leasing.

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Are there laws that prohibit discrimination against tenants?

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