Understanding Tenant's Rights in Washington State

By Regina Paul, published Jun 10, 2006
Published Content: 211  Total Views: 340,717  Favorited By: 24 CPs
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A Tenant’s Basic Rights

A tenant’s basic rights in the state of Washington are the right to a clean and sanitary domicile, a domicile that provides some form of heat and electricity, the right to hold the landlord liable for any damage created by the landlord being negligent, and the right to not be discriminated against by a landlord. In addition a tenant is protected from being locked out of their apartment or having their property seized by their landlord. A tenant also has the right to not have their utilities cut off if they can’t pay their rent, and to not be retaliated against by their landlord if they complain to governmental authorities about the domicile’s condition or the landlord.

Deposits vs Fees

Most places when a tenant moves in require a deposit. In Washington the landlord can only apply the term “deposit” to money which is refundable to the tenant upon the tenant moving out of the domicile. Also the landlord must provide the tenant with a receipt for each deposit. Additionally the tenant has the right to know which institution the deposits are being kept in, although unless otherwise in writing the landlord gets any interest accumulated on the account.

At the conclusion of the tenant’s lease or month to month agreement the landlord has 14 days to return the deposit or send a letter saying why it isn’t being returned. The landlord cannot keep the deposit to cover normal wear and tear to the domicile, nor to cover damages not created by the current tenant.

There are also non-refundable fees, and the tenant has the right to have it put in writing in the rental agreement what these fees are, and how much they are. Such fees might be screening, cleaning or holding fees. Holding fees must be applied either towards the security deposit or the first month’s rent.

Rental Agreements

Rental Agreements come in two forms, month to month or a lease. Month to month agreements the landlord can raise the rent or change rules with 30 days notice. With a lease a tenant has the right not to have the rent raised or the rules changed for the period of time the lease covers.

Takeaways
  • A tenant is not responsible for damage to the domicile which they didn't create.
  • A tenant has the right to not have their utilities shut off if they cannot pay the rent on time.
  • A tenant has the right to have their deposit returned within 14 days or getting a letter saying why.
Did You Know?
A landlord cannot take the property of a tenant to pay for rent or damages to the domicile.
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My info is amandi_2@hotmail.com

Posted on 04/30/2008 at 4:04:08 PM

 
My husband and I have just moved out of our former rental home.We had a great 2.5 yrs in the home and the landlords we also great.The problems have all started just recently.In our rental agreement it states that we the tenants have to maintain the yard and keep up on weeding so the weeds dont get out of control.Landlords did the walkthrough and stated that we had to pay $250 for a landscaper to come out and get rid of MOSS.Every month we had to buy moss killer and spread it on the grass at our own expense.We did do it.We moved out because they are puting there house on the market.We did tons of ceaning,there was a piece of wood that got water damaged that a month before our move out date was quoted to us at $80.Which we agreed to pay at that time.However the landlords thought it beast to fix it after we move out.So we have moved out and apparently the guy who quoted $80 is unable to do it now,so they gave us a new quote of $300 dollars.Also we cleaned the house imaculately and it was

Posted on 04/30/2008 at 3:04:11 PM

 
I forgot to put my contact information djonae@walla.com

Posted on 03/05/2008 at 8:03:00 AM

 
May 2007 my apt complex was sold. The new owners decided to change the water/sewer/garbage "fee" in July. In my lease it states that I pay a set amount every month. They sent out a letter telling us to stop paying and a formula they were going to use to figure out how much each apt would owe since there are not individual meters. My "fee" of $43 per month skyrocketed to over $90. They also gave my information out to a company to do the billing and figuring for them. I just recieved a 10day notice telling me to pay the balace of over $500 and that they would take that out of my rent first. (So I'll be short on my rent if they do that, and probably serve me with a 3 days notice.) How is it legal for them to share my information with an outside company and bill me for what I pay a "fee" for?

Posted on 03/05/2008 at 8:03:06 AM

 
When there are undefined pet exclusions on a rental contract doesn't that generally mean pets like cats and dogs, not tank animals? And would a rabbit in a cage 24/7 be considered a tank animal?

Posted on 02/28/2008 at 11:02:44 PM

 
My email address is bonnitacollier@yahoo.com thank you

Posted on 02/22/2008 at 3:02:44 PM

 
I signed a 1-yr lease Jan 7, 2008. After my first night in this apartment I knew I would not be able to stay. The tenants above me keep me awake until 4am. I have complained to them (it only gets worse), I have complained to the manager (he just makes excuses for them and thinks I have never lived in an apartment before!) I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. The lack of sleep exacerbates the condition. Also, I didn't realize until after signing the lease and walking around on the floors putting things away that the floors are concrete. I cannot have ANY quality of life walking on concrete; it keeps me in CONSTANT pain. My doctor wrote a note stating my condition to my manager, but he just doesn't care. My lease says if I move out prior to 1 yr, that I will loose 200.00 of my 400.00 deposit. I am on Section 8 and they are saying if he doesn't recind the lease I will be breaking the lease and I will lose my voucher. Isn't there some kind of exception that will take into co

Posted on 02/20/2008 at 5:02:51 PM

 
I live in Everett Washington I like my music and listen to it between the hours of 9am and 9 pm. i have had some complaints but there is nothing in the lease that states noise rules. From what i can gather the only law or rule for snohomish county is that is ok from 10 am to 10 pm. My question is since there is nothing on my lease agreement about this, do i still have the right to listen to my music between the hours of 9am and 9 pm. Thank you for your help

Posted on 02/19/2008 at 12:02:03 PM

 
you cant withhold rent but if he dose not call the senator for help.

Posted on 01/19/2008 at 5:01:08 AM

 
my landlord is making me pay a $850.00 pet deposit can he do that in washington state. i had a year lease but it had no pet deposit at that time. and he put on my lease also a late fee of 100.00. iam 25 years old and iam on ssi. please email me at washingtonbabe1@yahoo,com

Posted on 01/19/2008 at 5:01:37 AM

 
The landlord will not fix my toilet. The water puddles up in the middle of the bathroom floor. He says this is from the sweating of the toilet. Yeah right! Not with that much water. I have told him about my toilet before Thanksgiving 2007. And still my toilet is not working right. My landlord owes me towels.

Posted on 01/16/2008 at 1:01:40 PM

 
I needed a room for short term 2-3 months. The manager of house assured me that I would not lose deposit upon notice to move. I receive very short notices form employer about change in location and told manager upon move in that I would recieve only 2 -3 days maximum week notice before moving to new location. To get me in the household he gave me his word. I discussed once again when he had month to month lease in fromt of me. The room was dirty when I moved in and just the short time I was in the room I RENTED A RUG DOCTOR TO ASSIST IN CLEANING THE CARPET WHICH HAD NOT BEEN DONE IN QUITE A WHILE. I was honest and straight with this guy and he knew he was lying form the start. Is there anything I CAN DO AGAINST MANAGER FOR BEING WITHOUT ETHICS AND H

Posted on 10/06/2007 at 6:10:00 PM

 
I needed a room for short term 2-3 months. The manager of house assured me that I would not lose deposit upon notice to move. I receive very short notices form employer about change in location and told manager upon move in that I would recieve only 2 -3 days maximum week notice before moving to new location. To get me in the household he gave me his word. I discussed once again when he had month to month lease in fromt of me. The room was dirty when I moved in and just the short time I was in the room I RENTED A RUG DOCTOR TO ASSIST IN CLEANING THE CARPET WHICH HAD NOT BEEN DONE IN QUITE A WHILE. I was honest and straight with this guy and he knew he was lying form the start. Is there anything I CAN DO AGAINST MANAGER FOR BEING WITHOUT ETHICS AND H

Posted on 10/06/2007 at 6:10:00 PM

 
I moved my family from California to Washington state and we rented a house site unseen and from the add discription and pics. We made our choice on the house due to the upgrades and newer condition that were described. We are now 3 months in to the lease and there are many things that are still not finished and as described contingent on us signing the lease. offered new refrigerator / never got it. fireplace is unfinished leak in roof closet doors are not functional deadbolt locks did not work not clean upon move in what are my rights

Posted on 09/06/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
Can a place that advertises no pets allowed turn down your rental application because of a service animal that you have the proper paperwork for? any information would help. email info to missprissinfefer@aol.com

Posted on 08/21/2007 at 8:08:00 PM

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