# RCW 59.18.040: RCW 59.18.040: Living arrangements exempted from chapter > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S040 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 59.18.040 - **Heading:** RCW 59.18.040: Living arrangements exempted from chapter - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 59 / Chapter 18 / Section 040 ## Text The following living arrangements are not intended to be governed by the provisions of this chapter, unless established primarily to avoid its application, in which event the provisions of this chapter shall control: (1) Residence at an institution, whether public or private, where residence is merely incidental to detention or the provision of medical, religious, educational, recreational, or similar services including, but not limited to, correctional facilities, licensed nursing homes, monasteries and convents, and hospitals; (2) Occupancy under a bona fide earnest money agreement to purchase or contract of sale of the dwelling unit or the property of which it is a part, where the tenant is, or stands in the place of, the purchaser; (3) Occupancy under a written rental agreement entered into by a seller and buyer of a dwelling unit, for the seller to retain possession of the dwelling unit after closing of the sale of the dwelling unit, if the conditions in (a) through (c) of this subsection are satisfied. (a) The rental agreement permits the seller to remain in the dwelling unit for no more than three months after closing, and the buyer does not accept any rent payments from the seller after three months from closing; (b) At the time of closing of the sale, the dwelling unit was not a distressed home as defined in chapter 61.34 RCW; and (c) During negotiation of the purchase agreement or at the time of closing of the sale, the seller was represented by an attorney licensed to practice law in this state or by a real estate broker or managing broker licensed under chapter 18.85 RCW; (4) Residence in a hotel, motel, or other transient lodging whose operation is defined in RCW 19.48.010 ; (5) Rental agreements entered into pursuant to the provisions of chapter 47.12 RCW where occupancy is by an owner-condemnee and where such agreement does not violate the public policy of this state of ensuring decent, safe, and sanitary housing and is so certified by the consumer protection division of the attorney general's office; (6) Rental agreements for the use of any single-family residence that are incidental to leases or rentals entered into in connection with a lease of land to be used primarily for agricultural purposes; (7) Rental agreements providing housing for seasonal agricultural employees while provided in conjunction with such employment; (8) Rental agreements with the state of Washington, department of natural resources, on public lands governed by Title 79 RCW; (9) Occupancy by an employee of a landlord whose right to occupy is conditioned upon employment in or about the premises. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 59.18.010 RCW 59.18.010: Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S010.md) - [RCW 59.18.020 RCW 59.18.020: Rights and remedies—Obligation of good faith imposed.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S020.md) - [RCW 59.18.030 RCW 59.18.030: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S030.md) - [RCW 59.18.040 RCW 59.18.040: Living arrangements exempted from chapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S040.md) - [RCW 59.18.050 RCW 59.18.050: Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S050.md) - [RCW 59.18.055 RCW 59.18.055: Notice—Alternative procedure—Court's jurisdiction limited—Application to chapter 59.20 RCW.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S055.md) - [RCW 59.18.057 RCW 59.18.057: Notice—Form.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S057.md) - [RCW 59.18.058 RCW 59.18.058: Notice—Translated versions—Legal or advocacy resource information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S058.md) - [RCW 59.18.060 RCW 59.18.060: Landlord—Duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S060.md) - [RCW 59.18.063 RCW 59.18.063: Landlord—Written receipts for payments made by tenant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S063.md) - [RCW 59.18.065 RCW 59.18.065: Landlord—Copy of written rental agreement to tenant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S065.md) - [RCW 59.18.070 RCW 59.18.070: Landlord—Failure to perform duties—Notice from tenant—Contents—Time limits for landlord's remedial action.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S070.md) - [RCW 59.18.075 RCW 59.18.075: Seizure of illegal drugs—Notification of landlord.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S075.md) - [RCW 59.18.080 RCW 59.18.080: Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies—Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S080.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T59_C18_S040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.