Non-compliance with deposit laws: If a landlord fails to reimburse a tenant within 21 days, the tenant is entitled to a full refund of the deposit. In addition, at the discretion of the court, the landlord may have to grant up to twice the deposit for the landlord`s intentional refusal to make the declaration or the refund due to the tenant. (RCW 59.18.280) Wa Deposit Supplementary Laws: In the event of termination and vacation, a tenant must return the premises to their original condition, except in cases of reasonable wear and tear or conditions caused by the Owner`s failure to comply with the Owner`s obligations under this Chapter. The tenant will not be charged for normal cleaning if he has paid a non-refundable cleaning fee. (RCW 59.18.130(10)) Such a declaration is called a “waiver of the right to a one-year agreement.” However, the landlord cannot attempt to convince the tenant to sign such a waiver by offering a monthly agreement with better terms than the one-year lease. For example, the landlord cannot offer the tenant a monthly agreement with a lower rent than that offered in a one-year lease. If a landlord intentionally includes this type of language in the lease knowing that it is prohibited, the tenant can claim up to $500 in fines, damages, court costs and attorneys` fees. Application fee: A landlord can only charge an application fee to a prospective tenant to obtain a tenant selection report if they provide a tenant with the following information: Replace a lock or give you a new key at your own expense if you apply for it after receiving a court order granting you ownership of a rental unit and excluding a former roommate. Example: after receiving an injunction against an abusive ex-partner or spouse. RCW 59.18.585 Property: Landlords must give the tenant the name and address of the person who is the landlord.

You can do this by providing the information contained in the lease or by posting it in a conspicuous place on the premises. Tenants must be informed immediately if the property status changes. (RCW 59.18.060(15)) Sometimes guests of your rental properties can become tenants if they meet certain criteria. If you think a guest has stayed too long, here`s what you, the landlord, need to know about housing laws in Washington, D.C. Decrease in rental value: If a landlord does not remedy a deficient property condition and the court or arbitrator determines the reduction in rental value, the landlord may receive a judgment on the rent paid above the diminished rental value to provide the funds to the tenant. (RCW 59.18.110) Not all guests are tenants, but if a tenant exceeds their reception, it`s time to check out your lease and get involved. Want to learn more about how Atlas Lane can protect your property from guests who become tenants? Contact us here to learn more. Changes to ownership: Whenever a landlord plans to convert an apartment or apartments into a form of condominium ownership, the landlord must notify a tenant in writing at least one hundred and twenty days before the end of the lease. (RCW 59.18.200) *Seattle Residents: A single-family homeowner who decides to sell the property must give the current tenant at least 90 days` written notice. MSC 22.206.160(C)(1)(f). There are a few exceptions to this. Grace Period: No official state law, check your local laws.

One of the most important aspects of the law is that a tenant must be on the cutting edge of rent to exercise their rights under the Tenants Who Own Prefabricated or Mobile Homes Act. The rental housing laws described in this guide may not apply to you if you live in the above type of housing. You must either pay the rent to the court or make an affidavit rejecting the rent due. If you do not surrender any of these things to the court within 7 days of receiving the subpoena, the landlord can automatically win the eviction lawsuit. You should be aware of the laws that govern tenants and guests in your own area. As an owner, you can end up being responsible for any damage caused by a guest if that guest exceeds their reception. In addition, the occupancy limit of your property may be exceeded if you have a guest who becomes a not quite legal tenant. a checklist or statement describing the condition of the rental unit that you must both sign – RCW 59.18.260 A landlord may collect it to cover the cost of any damage to you or your guests. The landlord cannot use it to cover unpaid rent. Try talking to another tenant about how the building and the landlord are. Landlord reprisal: A landlord cannot retaliate against a tenant if the tenant files complaints or reports to an authority a landlord`s failure to comply with its obligations to the landlord.

Retaliatory measures include, but are not limited to: evictions, rent increases, reduced services to the tenant and increased obligations of the tenant. (RCW 59.18.240) A guest and a tenant are two very different things for landlords. A guest is someone who visits the property for a short period of time, usually less than two weeks. This person does not receive any mail to your accommodation and has not brought any of their furniture or valuables into the room. Additional move-in fees: Landlords may charge a fee or deposit to own or secure a unit for the potential tenant. You can`t charge a fee to put a tenant on a waiting list. Once the tenant moves into the dwelling, the deposit must use the fee or deposit as a credit for the first month`s rent or deposit. .