Are there any laws forbidding discrimination against tenants?
Yes, there are laws forbidding discrimination against tenants in Washington. The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) enforces fair housing laws that prohibit landlords from discriminating against tenants. The WSHRC states that it is illegal to refuse to rent or show an apartment to a tenant because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or gender identity. Additionally, the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 1973 prohibits any kind of discrimination in a tenancy. This includes gender, race, religion, familial status, national origin, source of income, disability, marital status, and sexual orientation. Landlords are also not able to discriminate based on whether or not the prospective tenant has children. The WSHRC has regulations that require landlords to treat prospective families with children the same as any other family. Landlords are not allowed to discriminate against families or individuals with children or charge them different rent. Washington law also requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. This includes allowing tenants to make physical changes to the unit for medical purposes if needed, or making an exception to a general policy or rule. Overall, Washington has laws that prohibit landlords from discriminating against tenants. This ensures that all tenants in the state are treated fairly and equally.
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