RCW 59.18.590 Death of a tenant—Designated person.

(1)(a) At a landlord's request, the tenant may designate a person to act for the tenant on the tenant's death when the tenant is the sole occupant of the dwelling unit.

(b) Any designation must be in writing, be separate from the rental agreement, and include:

(i) The designated person's name, mailing address, any address used for the receipt of electronic communications, and telephone number;

(ii) A signed statement authorizing the landlord in the event of the tenant's death when the tenant is the sole occupant of the dwelling unit to allow the designated person to: Access the tenant's dwelling unit, remove the tenant's property, receive refunds of amounts due to the tenant, and dispose of the tenant's property consistent with the tenant's last will and testament and any applicable intestate succession law; and

(iii) A conspicuous statement that the designation remains in effect until it is revoked in writing by the tenant or replaced with a new designation.

(2) A tenant may, without request from the landlord, designate a person to act for the tenant on the tenant's death when the tenant is the sole occupant of the dwelling unit by providing the landlord with the information and signing a statement as provided in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The tenant may change the designated person or revoke any previous designation in writing at any time prior to his or her death.

(4) Once the landlord or the designated person knows of the appointment of a personal representative for the deceased tenant's estate or of a person claiming to be a successor of the deceased tenant who has provided the landlord with proof of death and an affidavit made by the person that meets the requirements of RCW 11.62.010(2), the designated person's authority to act under this section terminates.

[ 2015 c 264 § 2.]