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Bill

Bill

SB 6237

Concerning rental property disclosures of flooding history and flood risk.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 4 co-sponsors

Washington bill requiring landlords to disclose flooding history and flood risk to rental tenants before lease execution to improve tenant safety and property vulnerability awareness.

Effective date 6/11/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 6237

Legislative bill overview

SB 6237 requires landlords and rental property owners in Washington to disclose flooding history and flood risk information to prospective tenants before lease signing. The bill mandates transparent communication about past flood events and current flood vulnerability assessments for rental properties.

Why is this important

Tenants currently have limited access to information about whether rental properties are prone to flooding, making it difficult to assess risks to their belongings, health, and safety. Climate change is increasing flood frequency in many regions, making this disclosure particularly relevant for renters in flood-prone areas who may face property damage, displacement, or health hazards without knowing the property's vulnerability.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden on landlords: Determining and documenting accurate flooding history and risk assessment may require costly professional evaluations or research, potentially increasing compliance costs for smaller property owners
  • Definition and standards: The bill may lack clear definitions of what constitutes "flood risk" and what disclosure methods/timeline satisfy requirements, creating enforcement challenges and inconsistent compliance
  • Impact on property values and insurability: Required disclosures could stigmatize properties, reduce rental demand, increase insurance costs, or create liability concerns for landlords even if they've disclosed information properly

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

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