Law Commons^™

The Implied Warranty Of Habitability Doctrine In Residential Property Conveyances: Policy-Backed Change Proposals, Joseph C. Brown Jr.

Washington Law Review

Washington's implied warranty of habitability doctrine is a creature of public policy. Its application is appropriately defined and limited by policy concerns. In conceivable cases, however, limits on the doctrine's application would yield results inconsistent with its public policy bases. Although created to protect a specific class of residence purchasers, in Washington the doctrine arbitrarily excludes from its coverage some potential members of that class. Because of these and other problems, the doctrine needs restructuring. This Comment explores the doctrine's public policy roots, analyzes potential new elements and the doctrine's existing elements in light of policy concerns, and suggests changes …