Bill would require landlords to disclose flood history and risk to renters
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Summary
A proposed bill would make landlords disclose whether a rental may be in a flood hazard area and that landlords’ insurance typically does not cover tenants’ personal property; supporters call it a simple resilience step, while housing providers warned about operational burdens and asked for clarifying language.
An unnamed sponsor introduced a bill that would require landlords to disclose to prospective tenants whether a rental property may be located in a special flood hazard area or an area of potential flooding and that landlords’ insurance does not cover tenants’ personal property.
Supporters told the Senate Housing Committee the measure is a straightforward consumer-protection step that could help renters understand flood risk and consider insurance. "We strongly support this bill. It's simple, straightforward, addresses a known and needed problem," said Caskey Jose of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
The bill would add disclosure requirements to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act and apply to leases entered into after 12/31/2026. Committee staff summarized the measure and noted that a fiscal note had not been requested.
Housing-industry witnesses expressed general support for the bill's intent but urged clearer, operationally workable language. "WEMFA is neutral on this legislation as currently drafted," said Crystal Perkey of the Washington Multifamily Housing Association, thanking the sponsor for narrowing disclosure requirements and for removing a provision that would have required housing providers to recommend flood insurance.
Jim Henderson of the National Association of Residential Property Managers told the committee he supports transparency but asked for clarification about whether disclosures should focus on flooding of a specific structure versus flooding of the parcel or surrounding land. He warned that unnecessary alerts could drive renters to buy costly insurance they do not need.
Environmental and resilience witnesses suggested broader, future improvements — for example, attaching a short lease rider at signing or renewal, improving public-facing flood maps, and expanding acquisition and buyout funding to move people out of harm's way. Caskey Jose asked the bill's reference to "county government" be changed to "the jurisdiction in which the property is located" to account for tribal or city-held records.
The sponsor and staff said they will continue to work with stakeholders on statutory language. The committee paused consideration of the bill after public testimony and moved on to other items on the agenda.