Published in King County Bar Bulletin
In an article published on June 1 in the King County Bar Bulletin, VF Law Attorney Timothy S. Feth explains Washington House Bill 1501 and the new requirement that community associations provide substantive written responses to certain owner inquiries within 30 days. The article highlights key deadlines, limited extension scenarios, and practical policy steps boards can take to prevent abuse and reduce risk.
“Along with the recent application of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 64.90.445 to all community associations beginning January 1, 2026, and the upcoming application in full of RCW 64.90 (“WUCIOA”) to all community associations beginning January 1, 2028, the new change represents a concerted effort from the legislature to increase transparency within community associations,” Feth explains.
Feth recommends adopting a written inquiry policy that clarifies where inquiries must be sent and limits responses to one inquiry per unit per 30 days, while also defining what the association will treat as a “complex” inquiry for purposes of extending the response deadline.
“Additionally, associations should consider adopting a policy that delegates authority to a manager or board member to take initial steps following receipt of a written inquiry, which may include determining which requests are complex or require attorney consultation, or responding to routine inquiries within designated parameters. That will allow some inquiries to be processed and responded to without the added burden of calling one or more board meetings,” Feth writes.
Read the article in full, click here.