September 30, 2026
What Washington Law Says
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, RCW 59.18.060(4), requires landlords to provide a reasonable program for controlling pest infestations at the beginning of a tenancy and to continue reasonable control during the tenancy. So as a starting point, the landlord is the responsible party for pests, including rodents.
The Two Big Exceptions
The law carves out two exceptions. First, the landlord is not responsible for an infestation the tenant caused, for example by leaving food out, hoarding clutter, or keeping the unit unsanitary. Second, in single-family residences, the landlord does not have to control infestations that arise during the tenancy. In practice this means renters in houses often end up handling mid-lease rodent problems themselves, while apartment renters can usually look to the landlord. Tenants also have their own duty under RCW 59.18.130 to keep the unit clean and sanitary and dispose of garbage properly so infestations do not start.
What Tenants Should Do
If you find rodents in a rental, notify the landlord in writing right away and keep copies. Document the evidence with photos and dates. Tenants can request repairs through the landlord's official repair request process under RCW 59.18.070, and the law provides remedies if the landlord fails to act within a reasonable time. Check your lease too, since it may spell out pest control duties in more detail. Free legal information is available from the Northwest Justice Project, and this article is general information, not legal advice.
For Puyallup Renters and Landlords
Whether you rent or own the property, a rodent problem needs the same response: find how they are getting in, remove them, and seal the entry points. Puyallup Rodent Pros works with both tenants and property owners across Puyallup, WA. Call (253) 452-0383 for inspection and exclusion that keeps rodents out regardless of who pays the bill.
