Washington renters who have been sweating through summer just picked up a powerful new tool in the fight against overheated apartments. A state law that took effect June 11 now sharply limits when landlords can block portable air conditioners, giving tenants more room to cool down as the region rides out high summer temperatures.
Under the Washington Legislature's Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6200, a new section is added to both the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act. With limited exceptions spelled out in the statute, landlords are generally barred from prohibiting tenants from installing a portable cooling device, and they are not allowed to charge any fee for using, inspecting, or installing that device.
What the Law Allows and Where It Draws the Line
The statute defines a "portable cooling device" to cover several common options: window-mounted units, saddle-mounted units that straddle the sill, and floor units that vent through a window or another opening. Window units, however, come with extra strings attached.
According to KNKX, tenants who want to install a window-mounted unit must give at least two days' notice to the landlord. Once the unit is in, landlords are allowed to require an inspection or servicing afterward. They can also restrict any unit that blocks an emergency exit, cannot be securely installed, or would cause significant damage to the property.
Landlords' Worries and Insurance Red Flags
Property managers and landlord groups are not exactly cheering the change, arguing that it leaves open some serious safety and insurance questions.
KIRO 7 reports that industry representatives have raised alarms about parts or entire units potentially falling from upper-story windows. They also say some insurers have sent cancellation notices when they spot window units in buildings, putting added pressure on owners who have to keep policies in good standing.
Legal Fine Print for Landlords and Tenants
ESSB 6200 does not just expand tenant options. It also spells out how liability shakes out when something goes wrong.
The statute makes landlords legally immune from damages, injury, or death caused by a portable cooling device that a tenant installs. It further clarifies that landlords are not responsible for power interruptions tied to that installation. If a landlord chooses to prohibit or restrict window-mounted units under the conditions allowed by the law, that restriction has to be disclosed in the lease, according to the bill text.
Tenants thinking about picking up a unit are advised to read the bill language, review their lease, follow the manufacturer's installation instructions closely, and document every communication with the landlord, including any inspections. Local tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can step in if a conflict breaks out over a refused installation or a landlord's claim of damage.
