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Bill

Bill

SB 6064

Concerning moneys collected by a landlord as fees, deposit, or security for pets.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Drew Hansen and 2 co-sponsors

SB 6064 establishes state rules governing how Washington landlords collect, hold, and return pet-related fees and deposits from tenants.

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 6064

Legislative bill overview

SB 6064 establishes regulations for how Washington landlords may collect and handle pet-related fees, deposits, and security payments from tenants. The bill appears designed to create transparency and consumer protections around these financial arrangements, which currently lack comprehensive state-level oversight.

Why is this important

Pet owners renting housing face inconsistent practices regarding pet fees and deposits—some landlords may retain funds improperly or charge unclear amounts. Clear statutory rules protect tenants from arbitrary charges while establishing predictable expectations for landlords, affecting hundreds of thousands of Washington renters with pets.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee structure clarity: Whether pet deposits should be refundable (like security deposits) or non-refundable (like fees), and how to distinguish between them
  • Cost-sharing concerns: Disputes over whether landlords should be able to charge both non-refundable pet fees AND refundable pet deposits for the same pet
  • Landlord burden: Property owners may argue excessive regulation creates administrative costs and discourages pet-friendly housing availability
  • Enforcement mechanisms: Questions about who investigates violations and what penalties apply to non-compliant landlords

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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