For a tenant, the rental unit is a private home for his or her peace and enjoyment. Residential landlordtenant resources washington state. For more details check washington residential landlord tenant act of 1973. New state laws have changed the basic eviction process framework. The laws affecting tenants, landlords and the eviction process changed in a major way in 2019. Wla is the only statewide landlord association that has an office on capitol hill. Two of seattle s newest and boldest tenant laws could be struck down in court as the city faces a housing and homelessness. Seattle landlord tenant law washington landlord attorney. On 8 august this year the seattle city council approved an ordinance which reportedly aims to eliminate discrimination by landlords against tenants from vulnerable social groups.
The ordinance places caps on fees, and allows tenants to pay fees and prepaid rent, such as last months rent, in installments. Termination lease letter form used to send to either a landlord or tenant their intent to cancel a month to month. Starting september 30, 2018, it applies to all landlords as defined by the state residential landlord tenant act rlta. Renting laws your seattle landlord doesnt want you to. Want to make landlord tenant laws work better for tenants. To read the specific laws in the wa state residential landlord tenant act, click on the rcw revised code of washington links throughout the tenant services website. A tenant is prohibited from harassing or retaliating against a landlord by. The landlord has just cause to evict a tenant who receives three or more 10day notices in a 12month period. Washington landlord tenant law laws state residential lease rental agreement and security free seattle commercial template pdf word attorney general s office notice of termination by legal forms set to propose eviction reform weekly wa supreme court approves requiring landlords american. Also known as an eviction notice or notice of eviction, this washington state read more. The notice shall inform the tenant of the tenant s responsibility to maintain the smoke detection device in proper operating condition and of penalties for failure to comply with the provisions of rcw 43. Free washington state landlord tenant movein checklist pdf. The seattle office for civil rights socr works to ensure that everyone in seattle has equal access to housing, employment, public accommodations, and contracting.
Jun 05, 2014 seattle residential landlords should take note. Renting laws your seattle landlord doesnt want you to know. The landlord agrees to lease the premises to the tenant. Landlords may ask seattle housing authority to supply the name, address, and telephone number of the last landlord to rent to the tenant. Help us change costly screening and application fees, wrongful evictions, discrimination and other housing barriers. The kit also contains additional forms and procedures specifically required if you are doing an eviction within the city of seattle. Some issues not covered under the rlta include how rent is defined, how and when. Its not enough to just represent landlords across the state. Washington landlord tenant law laws state residential. Tu members are the heart and strength of the tenants unions work for housing justice. At tsquare properties, we specialize in providing property management services to seattle and the surrounding areas. Seattle laws on property owner and tenant rights sc landlord tenant laws seattle laws regarding building maintenance and repair t ramappa intellectual property rights under wto pdf economic analysis of property rights guidebook on enforcement of intellectual property rights the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Residents of housing provided for seasonal farm work. The landlord did not have to accept partial payment or payment plans.
All residential landlords in seattle are required to give a tenant at the beginning of a. If you rent your home, you are covered by the states residential landlord tenant act rcw 59. The law also includes a mandatory 14 day notice to pay or vacate form that landlords must use. A new ordinance requires seattle landlords to provide voter registration to new tenants. Allow seattle housing authority to inspect the unitlandlords must allow seattle housing authority to inspect the unit to ensure that it complies with huds housing quality standards. Can the landlord put any rules they want in a rental agreement. Tenants and landlords washington state department of health.
Socr investigates and enforces city, state, and federal antidiscrimination laws, and provides public policy recommendations to the mayor, city council, and other city departments. Washington state department of health information on mold. Protect your family from lead in the home pdf seattle office for civil rights. Tips tip 604, seattle laws on property owner and tenant rights and responsibilities summary. Seattle laws on property owner and tenant rights seattle. If youre unsure whether your unit is located in the city limits of seattle, you can look it up on the king county parcel viewer. The seattle department of construction and inspections sdci responds to complaints about maintenance problems in rental housing, enforces seattle s landlord tenant laws, provides assistance to renters and landlords, administers the rental registration and inspection ordinance program, and hosts the renting in seattle help line. With all the new landlord tenant laws it is more important than ever to consult with a lawyer before taking any action.
These laws apply to all residential tenancies in the seattle city limits. Tenant rights under the mobile home landlord tenant act. Get occasional updates on issues and actions affecting washington state tenants. Landlord must provide notice before visit rental resource. Seattle dci summary of landlordtenant laws pdf tacoma information packet pdf attorney general residential landlordtenant resources. The attorney generals office does not handle complaints about issues relating to the residential landlordtenant act.
Resources to become a savvy landlord the seattle times. Revised code of washington, the law of washington state. Tenants union tenant counselors are not attorneys, and this information should not be considered legal advice. Mar 29, 2018 understanding the landlordtenant laws in washington state is important. Seattle landlord tenant law archives washington landlord. Oct 18, 2019 tips tip 604, seattle laws on property owner and tenant rights and responsibilities summary. The most important law is the residential landlord tenant act. This summary of washington state and city of seattle landlord tenant regulations must be provided to tenants by owners of residential rental property located in seattle on at least an annual basis. October 2, 2018 travis eller movein costs, seattle landlord tenant law.
Seattle landlordtenant packet updated washington landlord. All residential landlords in seattle are required to give a tenant at the beginning of a tenancy a landlord tenant information packet. This publication explains the most common state laws legal clinics at 206 267 regarding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. The seattle department of construction and inspections sdci administers and enforces seattles housing and building maintenance code smc sections 22. Tip 604, seattle laws on property owner and tenant rights and. Tenants must maintain rental housing in a safe, clean. As a tenant, its important to understand what protections you can request from your property manager or owner. Jun 04, 2015 renting laws your seattle landlord doesnt want you to know. The right decision for business and health pdf smokefree housing. A variety of state, federal and local laws help guide landlords and protect renters in seattle. Solid grounds tenant services advocates work with lawmakers to protect and expand the rights of renters. Landlord tenant and eviction laws tenants and landlords.
Where private baths and toilets are not provided in each housing unit, doors to community. Seattle department of construction sdci 604 code compliance. Seattle landlords take yet another tenant protection law to. Landlord tenant law washington state attorney generals office tenants who have signed a lease option agreement but have not yet exercised that option are still covered. The seattle department of construction and inspections sdci administers and enforces seattle s housing and building maintenance code smc sections 22. After that, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit. Changes to the wa residential landlord tenant act are in effect as of july 28, 2019. Seattle tenants experiencing retaliation can contact sdci at 206. Here is a list of resources that may assist you with residential landlordtenant issues. Landlords right of entry purposes searches by fire officials searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes conditions.
These new laws limit the grounds for which a landlord may evict. Overview of the landlordtenant laws in washington state t. Landlord s remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition. Washington state residential lease agreement sample pdf the sample lease agreement below describes a contract between landlord bernard shane and tenant rosemary uttgard. In the state of washington, these laws are pretty straightforward. Members of sdcis code compliance staff are available to. Free washington rental lease agreements pdf word download. The city of seattle has a law where a tenant is entitled to 60 days prior written notice for an increase 10% or more in a 12month period smc 7. But west seattle landlord ginnie hance said seattle has piled on too many additional requirements too quickly.
Most important is the residential landlordtenant act rcw 59. The washington landlord association wla, formally known as the washington apartment association waa is the largest landlord associations in the state of washington. Resource links to the official state of washington statutes in the revised code of washington rcw on landlord tenant laws. Tip 604, seattle laws on property owner and tenant rights. An owner of a single family residence who decides to sell the place must give the current tenant at. Your rights as a tenant in washington state washingtonlawhelp. Rekey or above any deck, balcony or porch that is not readily accessible from grade except through a single housing unit. The landlord cannot increase the rent unless the tenant agrees to it during the lease period. A seattle ordinance limits movein costs landlords may demand for residential tenants. Seattle tenant screening a landlords guide rentprep. For example, a seattle woman, who wishes to remain unnamed, bought her first rental house in the mid1980s when she was in her 20s and earning a health. The relationship between the tenant and the landlord can often be a pleasant one but its also fraught with a.
We explain the most common state laws regarding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. If you rent your home, you are covered by the states residential landlordtenant act rcw 59. Seattle, tacoma, burien, and federal way have all recently enacted new landlord tenant laws. Resource links to the official state of washington statutes in the revised code of washington rcw on landlordtenant laws. Entering a tenant s unit, except in an emergency, or except at reasonable times with the tenant s consent after giving at least 2 days notice. Jul 24, 2017 a summary of washington landlord tenant laws on rent, security deposits, and leases for residential rental units. Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out duties. Washington state landlordtenant laws resource guide. The residential landlord tenant act rlta regulates the creation of residential tenancies and the relationship between landlords and tenants of residential dwelling units. Washington state attorney generals office landlord. Once a lease has ended the landlord must return the security deposit within 14 days. Landlords are required to include washington statute and the seattle laws on property owner and tenant rights and. This guide is only about the general landlordtenant law and procedures of an eviction.
The city of seattle offers renters some modest additional protections than in other parts of washington state. The notice must be signed by the landlord or the landlord s authorized agent and tenant with copies provided to both parties. Tenant screening seattle laws often, urban centers enact tenant and landlord laws that are more strict than federal or state laws. Of course, the seattle tenant screening laws are in place to protect the process for both. The most important law is the residential landlord tenant act rcw 59. Rights and responsibilities seattle housing authority. Seattle landlords grudgingly comply with new tenant law. Landlord s right of entry purposes searches by fire officials searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes conditions. If the inspection does not occur within ten days from the date of collection of the fee or deposit or a longer period of time that the landlord and tenant may agree upon, the landlord may notify the tenant. Tenant rights for smokefree environments washington state.
In seattle and some other places, a landlord cannot make you move out for no reason. Removing ownersupplied fixtures, furniture, or services. In fact, the law in seattle requires 60days notice of a rent increase of 10% or more. Oct 16, 2016 the seattle tenant law has been changed. Please note that city and state laws may not be identical on any particular topic. Urban populations with a lot of rental units often need more significant regulations, and seattle is no different. Seattle dci summary of landlord tenant laws pdf tacoma information packet pdf attorney general residential landlord tenant resources. In fact, the landlord is only required to give tenants 30 days written notice to change a term of the tenancy, but must give 60 days written notice for any rent increase rcw 59. May 30, 2017 seattle landlords take yet another tenant protection law to court. Often, urban centers enact tenant and landlord laws that are more strict than federal or state laws. Does the residential landlordtenant act cover all tenants. Below is a list with some of the most common regulations listed online by the department of planning and development.
The rlta establishes rights and duties of both tenants and landlords, procedures for the parties to enforce their rights, and remedies for violations of the rlta. Seattle has a housing and building maintenance code that requires minimum standards in rental housing. If properly understood, both tenants and landlords should be able to solve many legal issues on their own. The statutes, case law and process may have been changed. Just cause is required to evict residential tenants in seattle, burien, and federal way. Evictions, prohibited acts, illegal living units, rental agreement regulations, tenant relocation what is it. Rcw stands for the revised code of washington, the law of washington state. Free washington rental lease agreements pdf word eforms. Residents of a single family dwelling that is rented as part of a lease for agricultural land.
Seattle landlords are already required to provide an informational packet on landlord tenant law to each new prospective renter not only those who sign a rental agreement, at each renewal of a tenancy, and annually to all monthtomonth. All residential landlords in seattle are required to give a tenant at the beginning of a tenancy a landlord tenant information packet published by the city. Know the law a variety of state, federal and local laws help guide landlords and protect renters in seattle. A wave of new local landlord tenant laws in seattle, tacoma, federal way, burien, and many other locations in recent years complicate the eviction process. This tip is a general guide to the rights and responsibilities of seattle tenants and rental property owners under city laws. An owner of a singlefamily residence who decides to sell the.
The applicant is responsible for compliance with all code and rule requirements, whether or not described in this tip. Seattle residential landlords should download and use the new packet. Want to make landlordtenant laws work better for tenants. Get involved in the tenants unions efforts to win better protections for washington state renters. What are the main changes to the laws where to get more information what does the law say. The relationship between the tenant and the landlord can often be a pleasant one but its also fraught with a lot of legal wrangling. To learn more and get practical tools to talk to them about going smokefree, download these infographics.
Washington landlord attorney washington landlord attorney. The attorney generals office does not handle complaints about issues relating to the residential landlord tenant act. Landlords remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition. This is the most complete set of washington state eviction forms you need to create a washington state eviction notice. Seattle, washington standard residential lease agreement form. The landlord cannot use just cause evictions in retaliation for a tenant asserting their rights under landlord tenant law or calling code enforcement. It is very important for tenants to respond in writing to all 10day notices they receive from the landlord and provide as much documentation as possible that they are in compliance with the rules of their tenancy. Many laws apply to the relationship between tenants and landlords. This does not include tenants on leases, whose tenancy ends when the lease ends unless otherwise stated in the lease. In washington, there is not a governmental agency that has the power to intervene in a dispute between a landlord and tenant to force one or the other party to behave in any particular manner. Most important is the residential landlord tenant act rcw 59. Here is a list of resources that may assist you with residential landlord tenant issues.
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