Information for Tenants | ABODA
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Transcript of Information for Tenants | ABODA
Residential Leasing and Management Agreement
9040 Willows Rd., NE #101, Redmond, WA 98052 | 425-861-0500 | www.abodapm.com
Provided by Aboda Property Management
6525 240th St. SE Bldg. B Woodinville, WA 98072 | 425-861-0500 | www.abodapm.com
Department of Planning and Development • Diane Sugimura, Director • Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Ave., Suite 2000, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98104-4019 www.seattle.gov/dpd
DPD complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accommodations for people with disabilities provided on request.
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. Please note that City and State laws may not be iden-
tical on any particular topic; therefore, both sets of laws should be consulted. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.
September 2008
Seattle Landlord-Tenant Laws
OBLIGATIONS OF LANDLORDSBuilding owners must provide safe, clean, secure liv-ing conditions, including:
• Keepingthepremisesfitforhumanhabitationandkeepingcommonareasreasonablycleanandsafe
• Controllinginsects,rodentsandotherpests• Maintainingroof,wallsandfoundationandkeeping
theunitweathertight• Maintainingelectrical,plumbing,heatingandother
equipmentandappliancessuppliedbytheowner• Providing adequate containers for garbage and
arrangingforgarbagepickup• Whenresponsibleforprovidingheatinrentalunits,
fromSeptemberthroughJunemaintainingdaytime(7:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m.) temperatures at 65oForaboveandnighttimetemperaturesatnotlessthan58oF
• Innon-transientaccommodations,providingkeystounit andbuildingentrancedoorsand, inmostcases, changing the lock mechanism and keysuponachangeoftenants
• Installingsmokedetectorsandinstructingtenantsintheirmaintenanceandoperation
Owners are not required to make cosmetic repairs aftereachtenancy,suchasinstallingnewcarpetsorapplyingafreshcoatofpaint.
OBLIGATIONS OF TENANTSTenantsmustmaintainrentalhousinginasafe,cleanmanner, including:
• Properlydisposingofgarbage• Exercisingcareinuseofelectricalandplumb-
ingfixtures• Promptlyrepairinganydamagecausedbythemor
theirguests• Grantingreasonableaccessforinspection,mainte-
nance, repair and pest control• Maintainingsmokedetectorsingoodworkingorder• Refraining from storing dangerous materials on
thepremises
THE JUST CAUSE EVICTION ORDINANCEThisordinancerequireslandlordstohavegoodcauseinordertoterminateamonth-to-monthtenancy.ItspecifiestheonlyreasonsforwhichatenantinSeattlemayberequiredtomove,andrequiresownerstostatethereason,inwriting,forendingatenancywhengivingaterminationnotice.Unlessotherwisenoted,an owner must give a termination notice at least 20 daysbeforethestartofthenextrentalperiod.Goodcauses include:
1. Thetenantfailstopayrentwithinthreedaysofanoticetopayrentorvacate.
2. Theownerhasnotifiedthetenantinwritingofover-duerentatleastfourtimesina12-monthperiod.
City of SeattleDepartment of Planning and Development
Seattle Landlord-Tenant LawsObligations of landlords ...................................................... 1
Obligations of tenants ......................................................... 1
The Just Cause Eviction Ordinance ................................. 1
Actions considered to be harassment or retaliation .......... 3
Other City ordinances that affect tenants and landlords ......................................................................... 3
Washington State LawRights of All Tenants .......................................................... 5
Types of Rental Agreements ............................................. 5
Illegal Discrimination ........................................................... 5
Liability ................................................................................ 5
Illegal Provisions in Rental Agreements ............................. 5
Privacy —Landlord's Access to the Rental ........................ 6
Deposits and Other Fees .................................................. 6
Landlord's Responsibilities ................................................ 6
Tenant's Responsibilities .................................................... 7
Threatening Behavior by a Tenant or Landlord ................. 7
Making Changes to Month-to-Month Agreement ............... 7
Making Changes to Leases ............................................... 7
How to Handle Repairs ...................................................... 7
Illegal Landlord Actions ....................................................... 8
Ending the Agreement ........................................................ 8
Return of Deposits ............................................................ 9
Evictions ............................................................................. 9
Abandonment ..................................................................... 10
Table of Contents
Information for TenantsTRANSLATIONS
For copies of this document in Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese, visit DPD's website at www.seattle.gov/dpd/publications or call (206) 684-8467.
Page 2 of 11 Information for Tenants
3. The tenantdoesnotcomplywithamaterial termof a lease or rental agreement within 10 days ofreceivinganoticetocomplyorvacate.
4. The tenant does not comply with a material ob-ligation under the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Actwithin10daysofanoticetocomplyorvacate.
5. Theownerhasnotifiedatenantinwritingatleastthreetimesina12-monthperiodtocomplywithin10dayswithamaterialtermoftheleaseorrentalagreement.
6. The tenant seriously damages the rental unit(causes "waste"), causes a nuisance (including drug-relatedactivity),ormaintainsanunlawfulbusi-nessanddoesnotvacatethepremiseswithinthreedaysofnoticetodoso.
7. Thetenantengagesincriminalactivityinthebuildingoronthepremises,orinanareaimmediatelyadja-centtothebuildingorpremises.Theallegedcriminalactivitymustsubstantiallyaffectthehealthorsafetyofothertenantsortheowner;illegaldrug-relatedactivityisonecrimespecifiedbytheordinance.Anownerwhousesthisreasonmustclearlystatethefactssup-portingtheallegation,andmustsendacopyoftheterminationof tenancynotice to theDPDPropertyOwnerTenantAssistance(POTA)Unit.
8. Theownerwishestooccupythepremisesperson-ally,ortheowner’simmediatefamilywilloccupytheunit,andnosubstantiallyequivalentunitisvacantandavailableinthesamebuilding.Immediatefam-ilyincludestheowner’sspouseorowner’sdomesticpartner, and the parents, grandparents, children,brothersandsistersoftheownerorowner’sspouseorowner’sdomesticpartner. DPDmayrequireapropertyownertosignacertificationoftheintenttohavea familymembermove in ifa tenanthasreasontobelievetheownerwillnotfollowthroughwith this reason. There isa rebuttablepresump-tion of a violation if the designated person doesnotoccupytheunit foracontinuousperiodof60daysoutofthe90daysafterthetenantvacates.Atenantwhosetenancyisendedforthisreasonhasaprivaterightofactionifheorshefeelstheownerhasfailedtocomplywiththeserequirements.
9. Theownerwishestoterminateatenantwholivesinthesamehousingunitwiththeownerortheowner'sagent;ortheownerdesirestostopsharinghisorherhousewithatenantlivinginanapprovedaccessorydwellingunit(ADU)inanowner-occupiedhouse.
10.The tenant’soccupancy isconditioneduponem-ployment on the property and the employment is terminated.
11.Theownerplansmajorrehabilitationandhasob-tained required permits and a Tenant RelocationLicense.Atenantterminatedforthisreasonhasaprivaterightofactionifheorshefeelstheownerhasfailedtocomplywiththeserequirements.
12.The owner decides to convert the building to acondominium or a cooperative.
13. Theownerdecidestodemolishabuildingortocon-vert it tonon-residentialuseandhasobtainedthenecessarypermitandaTenantRelocationLicense.
14.Theownerdesirestosellasinglefamilyresidence(does not include condominium units) and gives the tenantwrittennoticeat least60daysprior totheendofarentalperiod.Theownermustlistthepropertyforsaleatareasonablepriceinanews-paperorwitharealtyagencywithin30daysafterthedatethetenantvacates.Propertyownersmaybe required tosignacertificationof the intent tosellthehouseifDPDreceivesacomplaint.Thereisarebuttablepresumptionofaviolationiftheunitisnotlistedoradvertised,oristakenoffthemarketorre-rentedwithin90daysafterthetenantleaves.A tenant terminated for this reasonhasaprivaterightofactionifheorshefeelsanownerhasfailedtocomplywiththeserequirements.
15. Theowner seeks todiscontinueuseof aunit not authorizedundertheLandUseCode,afterreceivingaNoticeofViolation.Theownermustpayreloca-tion assistance to tenants who have to move sothattheownercancorrecttheviolation.Relocation assistanceforlow-incometenantsis$2,000;forothertenantsitisanamountequaltotwomonths’rent.
16.TheownerneedstoreducethenumberoftenantssharingadwellingunitinordertocomplywithLandUse Code restrictions (i.e., no more than eightpeopleperdwellingunitifanyareunrelated).Forinformationontheprocedurestoterminatetenan-cies for this reason, please consult DPD Client AssistanceMemo(CAM)#610Terminating Tenan-cies Under the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.
17.The owner must terminate a tenancy in a housecontaining an approved ADU in order to complywith the development standards for ADUs, afterreceiving a Notice of Violation of the Land UseCode.(Iftheviolationisthattheownerhasmovedout of the house and has rented both units, oneunitmusteitherbereoccupiedbytheownerorberemoved.) Theownermustpay relocationassis-tancetodisplacedtenantsintheamountof$2,000forlow-incometenants,ortwomonths’rentinothercases.DPDmayrequireapropertyownertosignacertificationofhisorherintenttodiscontinuetheuseoftheADU.
18. AnEmergencyOrdertoVacateandclosetheprop-ertyhasbeenissuedbyDPDandthetenantshavefailedtovacatebythedeadlinegivenintheOrder.
Failure to carry out stated cause: Ifanownertermi-natesatenantbecauseof(1)thesaleofasinglefamilyresidenceisplanned,(2)theownerorafamilymemberistomovein,(3)substantialrehabilitationisplanned,(4)thenumberofresidentsmustbereducedtoeight,or(5)theownerisdiscontinuingtheuseofanADU
Information for Tenants Page 3 of 11
afterreceiptofanoticeofviolation,andtheownerfailstocarryoutthestatedreasonforterminatingtheten-ancy,heorshemaybesubjecttoenforcementactionbytheCityandacivilpenaltyofupto$2,500.
Private right of action for tenants: Ifanownerterminatesatenantbecauseof(1)thesaleofasinglefamilyresidenceisplanned,(2)theownerorafamilymemberistomovein,or(3)substantialrehabilitationisplanned,andiftheownerfailstocarryoutthestat-edreasonforterminatingthetenancy,thetenantcansuetheownerforupto$2,000,costs,andreasonableattorney’sfees.
ForadditionalinformationontheJustCauseEvictionOrdinance,callDPDat(206)615-0808orvisitthe SeattleCityClerk'sOfficewebsiteathttp://www.seattle.gov/leg/clerk/clerk.htmandlookupChapter22.206oftheSeattleMunicipalCode.
ACTIONS CONSIDERED TO BE HARASSMENT OR RETALIATIONCitylawprohibitsretaliatoryactionsagainsteitheratenant or a landlord. These provisions are enforced by the Seattle Police Department.
Alandlordisprohibitedfromharassingorretaliatingagainstatenantby:
1. Changingortamperingwithlocksonunitdoors
2. Removingdoors,windows,fusebox,furnitureorotherfixtures
3. Discontinuingutilitiessuppliedbytheowner
4. Removingatenantfromthepremisesexceptthroughtheformalcourtevictionprocess
5. Evicting,increasingrentorthreateningatenantforreportingcodeviolationstoDPDorthePoliceDepartmentorforexercisinganylegalrightsaris-ingoutofthetenant’soccupancy
6. Enteringatenant’sunit,exceptinanemergency,orexceptatreasonabletimeswiththetenant’sconsentaftergivingatleasttwodaysnotice,oraone-daynoticewhenshowingunitstoprospectivepurchasersortenants
7. Prohibitingatenant,oratenant'sauthorizedagentwhoisaccompaniedbythattenant,fromdistributinginformationinthebuilding,postinginformationonbulletinboardsinaccordancewithbuildingrules,contactingothertenants,assistingtenantstoorganizeandholdingmeetingsincom-munityroomsorcommonareas
Inmostinstancesthelawinitiallyassumesthatalandlordisretaliatingifthelandlordtakesanyoftheseactionswithin90daysafteratenantreportsaviolationtoDPDortotheSeattlePoliceDepartment,orwithin90daysafteragovernmentalagencyaction,suchasmakinganinspection.Insuchcasestheburdenisonthelandlordtorebutthispresumptionofretaliation.
Atenantisprohibitedfromharassingorretaliating
againstalandlordby:
1. Changingoraddinglocksonunitdoors
2. Removingowner-suppliedfixtures,furniture,or services
3. Willfullydamagingthebuilding
HarassmentorretaliationbyanowneroratenantshouldbereportedtotheSeattlePoliceat911orthenon-emergencynumber,(206)625-5011.
OTHER CITY ORDINANCES THAT AFFECT TENANTS AND LANDLORDS1. Rental Agreement Regulation Ordinance
Underthislaw,landlordswhointendtoincreaserentandsomeotherhousingcostsby10percentormorewithina12-monthperiodmustgive60dayswrittennotice. Second, landlords are not allowed to require amonth-to-monthtenanttostaymorethanonerentalperiod(e.g.,onemonth).Rentalagreementprovi-sionsthatpenalizeatenantformovingbeforeamini-mumnumberofmonthshavepassedarenotvalid.Alandlordwhodesirestohaveatenantstayforacertainamountoftimeshouldofferthetenantalease.Lastly,landlordsarerequiredtogivecurrentandnewrentersthispublicationaboutSeattleandWashingtonstate laws. Tenants can recover actual damages, legalcostsandpenaltiesthroughprivatecivilactionagainstlandlordswhoviolatethislaw.OneduplicablemastercopypercustomerisavailablefromtheDPDPublicResourceCenter,locatedonthe20thfloorofSeattleMunicipalTowerat700FifthAve.Torequestacopybymailsendaself-addressedenvelopetoPublicationsClerk,DPD,700FifthAve.Suite2000,P.O.Box34019,SeattleWA98124-4019.
2. Open Housing and Public Accommodations Ordinance
TheCityofSeattleiscommittedtoapolicyofpro-motingtheavailabilityandaccessibilityofhousingtoallpersonsandprohibitsdiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color,creed,religion,ancestry,nationalori-gin,age,sex,maritalstatus,parentalstatus,sexualorientation,genderidentity,politicalideology,partici-pationinaSection8programordisability.InquiriesaboutthisordinanceandcomplaintsofviolationsshouldbedirectedtotheSeattleOfficeforCivilRightsat(206)684-4500.
3. Condominium and Cooperative Conversion Ordinances
Whenaresidentialbuildingisbeingconvertedtocondominiumsorcooperativeunits,theCondomini-umandCooperativeConversionordinancesrequireahousingcodeinspection.
Additionally,inacondominiumconversion,atenantmustreceiveawritten120-daynoticeoftheconver-
Page 4 of 11 Information for Tenants
sion.Ifthetenantdecidesnottobuyhisorherunit,thetenantmaybeeligibletoreceivetheequivalentofthree(3)months'rentinrelocationassistanceifthetenant'sannualincome,fromallsources,doesnotexceed80percentoftheareamedianincome,adjustedforhouseholdsize.Ahouseholdwhichotherwisequalifiestoreceiverelocationbenefitsandwhichincludesamembersixty-five(65)yearsofageorolderoranindividualwith"specialneeds",asdefinedintheordinance,mayqualifyforadditionalassistance.
Inacooperativeconversion,atenantmustreceivea120-daynoticeofintentiontoselltheunit.Ifthetenantdecidesnottobuyhisorherunit,thetenantmustbepay$500.00inrelocationassistance.
Relocationassistanceispaiddirectlytothetenantbythepropertyownerordeveloper.Theassistancemustbepaidnolaterthanthedateonwhichaten-antvacateshisorherunit.
Forfurtherinformation,contactDPDCodeCompli-anceat(206)615-0808.
4. Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance
Thisordinanceapplieswhentenantsaredisplacedbyhousingdemolition,changeofuse,substantialrehabilitation,orbyremovalofuserestrictionsfromsubsidizedhousing.Apropertyownerwhoplansdevelopmentactivitymustobtainatenantrelocation licenseandabuildingorusepermitbeforeterminat-ingatenancy.Alltenantsmustreceivea90-daynoticeoftheactivitythatwillrequirethemtomove.Eligiblelowincometenants,whoseannualincomecannotexceed50%oftheareamedianincome,re-ceivecashrelocationassistance.CallDPDat (206)615-0808formoreinformation.
5. Repair and Maintenance—Housing and Building Maintenance Code
Thisordinancerequiresownerstomeetcertainmini-mumstandardsandkeepbuildingsingoodrepair.Afterfirstrequestingtheownertomakerepairs,aten-antcanreportneededrepairsbycallingDPDat(206)615-0808.Ifaninspectorfindscodeviolations,theownerwillberequiredtomakeneededcorrections.
6. Third Party Billing Ordinance
Thisordinancedefinesrulesforlandlordswho,bythemselvesorthroughprivatecompanies,billten-antsforCityprovidedutilities(water,sewer,garbage,electricservices)separatelyfromtheirrent.Theordi-nanceappliestoallresidentialbuildingshavingthreeormorehousingunits.
Therulesrequirealandlordorbillingagenttoprovidetenantswithspecificinformationabouttheirbillsandtodisclosetheirbillingpractices,eitherinarentalagreementorinaseparatewrittennotice.Itisaviolationoftheordinanceifalandlordimposesanew
billingpracticewithoutappropriatenotice.
Atenantcandisputeathird-partybillingbynotify-ingthebillingagentandexplainingthebasisforthedispute.Thismustbedonewithin30daysofreceiv-ingabill.Thebillingagentmustcontactthetenanttodiscussthedisputewithin30daysofreceivingnoticeofthedispute.AtenantcanalsofileacomplaintwiththeSeattleOfficeoftheHearingExaminerortakethelandlordtocourt.IftheHearingExaminerorcourtrulesinfavorofthetenant,thelandlordcouldberequiredtopayapenalty.
Information for Tenants Page 5 of 11
The Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act
Chapter 59.18 RCW. For more information, call (206) 464-6811Mosttenantswhorentaplacetolivecomeunderthestate’sResidentialLandlord-TenantAct.However,certainrentersarespecificallyexcludedfromthelaw.[SeeRCW59.18.415]athttp://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/ andtypein59.18.415.
ThosewhoaregenerallynotcoveredbytheActare:
• Rentersofaspaceinamobilehomeparkareusuallycoveredbythestate’sMobileHomeLand-lord-TenantAct(RCW59.20).However,rentersofbothaspaceandamobilehomeareusuallycoveredbytheresidentiallaw.
• Residentsinhotelsandmotels;residentsofpublicor private medical, religious, educational, recre-ationalorcorrectionalinstitutions;residentsofasinglefamilydwellingwhichisrentedaspartofaleaseofagriculturalland;residentsofhousingprovided for seasonal farm work.
• Tenantswithanearnestmoneyagreementtopur-chasethedwelling.Tenantswholeaseasinglefamilydwellingwithanoptiontopurchase,ifthetenant'sattorneyhasapprovedthefaceofthelease.Tenantswhohavesignedaleaseoptionagreementbuthavenotyetexercisedthatoptionare still covered.
• Tenantswhoareemployedbythelandlord,whentheiragreementspecifiesthattheycanonlyliveintherentalunitaslongastheyholdthejob(suchasanapartmenthousemanager).
• Tenantswhoareleasingasinglefamilydwellingforoneyearormore,whentheirattorneyhas approvedtheexemption.
• Tenantswhoareusingthepropertyforcommer-cialratherthanresidentialpurposes.
RIGHTS OF ALL TENANTSRegardlessofwhethertheyarecoveredbytheResi-dentialLandlord-TenantAct,allrentershavethesebasicrightsunderotherstatelaws:theRighttoalivabledwelling;Protectionfromunlawfuldiscrimina-tion;Righttoholdthelandlordliableforpersonalinjuryorpropertydamagecausedbythelandlord’snegligence;Protectionagainstlockoutsandseizureofpersonalpropertybythelandlord.
TYPES OF RENTAL AGREEMENTSMonth-to-Month Agreement.Thisagreementisforanindefiniteperiodoftime,withrentusuallypayableonamonthlybasisorothershorttermperiod.The
agreementitselfcanbeinwritingororal,butifanytypeoffeeorrefundabledepositiscollected,theagreementmustbeinwriting.[RCW59.18.260]
Amonth-to-monthagreementcontinuesuntileitherthelandlordortenantgivestheotherwrittennoticeatleast20daysbeforetheendoftherentalperiod.Inthesituationofaconversiontoacondominiumorachangeinthepolicyexcludingchildrenthelandlordmustprovide90dayswrittennoticetothetenant.[RCW59.18.200]Therentcanbeincreasedortheruleschangedatanytime,providedthelandlordgivesthetenantwrittennoticeatleast30daysbeforetheeffectivedateoftherentincreaseorrulechange.[RCW59.18.140]
Lease. Aleaserequiresthetenanttostayforaspe-cificamountoftimeandrestrictsthelandlord’sabilitytochangethetermsoftherentalagreement.Aleasemustbeinwritingtobevalid.Duringthetermofthelease,therentcannotberaisedortheruleschangedunlessbothlandlordandtenantagree.LeasesofoneyearormorecanbeexemptfromtheLandlord-TenantActiftheten-ant’sattorneyhasapprovedsuchanexemption.
ILLEGAL DISCRIMINATIONFederallawprohibitsmostlandlordsfromrefusingto rent to a person or imposing different rental terms onapersonbecauseofrace,color,religion,sex,handicap,familialstatus(havingchildrenorseekingcustodyofchildren),ornationalorigin.[FairHousingAct42USCs.3601et.seq.1988]Statelawrecog-nizesprotectiontothesameindividualsaswellasformaritalstatus,creed,thepresenceofsensory,mental,orphysicaldisability.Ifyouthinkyouhavebeen deniedrentalhousingorhavebeenthevictimofhousingdiscriminationfileawrittencomplaintwiththeWashingtonStateHumanRightsCommission.YoumayalsofileacomplaintwiththefederalFairHousingSectionoftheDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDe-velopmentoryourlocalcityhumanrightsdepartment.
LIABILITYOncethetenanthassignedarentalagreement,heorshemustcontinuetopaytherenttomaintaintheireligi-bilitytobringactionsunderthisact.Thetenantshouldalsounderstandwhatheorsheisresponsibleforinthemaintenanceoftheproperty.Whilethelandlordisresponsibleforanydamagewhichoccursduetohisorhernegligence,thetenantmustbepreparedtoacceptresponsibilityfordamagesheorshecauses.
ILLEGAL PROVISIONS IN RENTAL AGREEMENTSSomeprovisionswhichmayappearinrentalagree-mentsorleasesarenotlegalandcannotbeenforcedunderthelaw.[RCW59.18.230]Theseinclude:
• Aprovisionwhichwaivesanyrightgiventoten-antsbytheLandlord-TenantActorthatsurren-
Page 6 of 11 Information for Tenants
derstenants’righttodefendthemselvesincourtagainstalandlord’saccusations.
• Aprovisionstatingthetenantwillpaytheland-lord’sattorney’sfeesunderanycircumstancesifadispute goes to court.
• Aprovisionwhichlimitsthelandlord’sliabilityin situationswherethelandlordwouldnormallybe responsible.
• Aprovisionwhichrequiresthetenanttoagreetoa particulararbitratoratthetimeofsigningtherental agreement.
• Aprovisionallowingthelandlordtoentertherentalunitwithoutpropernotice.
• Aprovisionrequiringatenanttopayforalldam-agetotheunit,evenifitisnotcausedbytenantsortheirguests.
• Aprovisionthatallowsthelandlordtoseizeatenant’spropertyifthetenantfallsbehindinrent.
PRIVACY—LANDLORD’S ACCESS TO THE RENTAL [RCW 59.18.150]Thelandlordmustgivethetenantatleastatwodaynoticeofhisintenttoenteratreasonabletimes.However,tenantsmustnotunreasonablyrefusetoallowthelandlordtoentertherentalwherethelandlordhasgivenatleastone-day’snoticeofintenttoenterataspecifiedtimetoexhibitthedwellingtoprospectiveoractualpurchasersortenants.Thelawsaysthattenantsshallnotunreasonablyrefusethelandlordaccesstorepair,improve,orservicethedwelling.Incaseofanemergency,orifthepropertyhasbeenabandoned,thelandlordcanenterwithoutnotice.Thelandlordstillmustgetthetenant’sper-missiontoenter,eveniftherequiredadvancenoticehasbeengiven.
DEPOSITS AND OTHER FEESRefundable deposits
UndertheLandlord-TenantAct,theterm“deposit”canonlybeappliedtomoneywhichcanberefundedtothetenant.Ifarefundabledepositiscollected,thelaw requires:
• Therentalagreementmustbeinwriting.Itmustsaywhateachdepositisforandwhatthetenantmustdoinordertogetthemoneyback.[RCW59.18.260]
• Thetenantmustbegivenawrittenreceiptforeachdeposit.[RCW59.18.270]
• Achecklistorstatementdescribingtheconditionoftherentalunitmustbefilledout.Thelandlordandthetenantmustsignit,andthetenantmustbegivenasignedcopy.(TheConsumerRe-sourceCenteroftheAttorneyGeneral’sOfficeoffersafreesamplechecklistforthispurpose.)[RCW59.18.260]
• Thedepositsmustbeplacedinatrustaccountinabankorescrowcompany.Thetenantmustbe
informedinwritingwherethedepositsarebeingkept.Unlesssomeotheragreementhasbeenmadeinwriting,anyinterestearnedbythedepos-itbelongstothelandlord.[RCW59.18.270]
Non-refundable fees
Thesewillnotbereturnedtothetenantunderanycir-cumstances.Ifanon-refundablefeeisbeingcharged,therentalagreementmustbeinwritingandmuststatethatthefeewillnotbereturned.Anon-refundablefeecannotlegallybecalleda“deposit.”[RCW59.18.285]
LANDLORD’S RESPONSIBILITIES [RCW 59.18.060]Thelandlordmust:
• Maintainthedwellingsoitdoesnotviolatestateandlocalcodesinwayswhichendangertenants’healthandsafety
• Maintainstructuralcomponents,suchasroofs,floorsandchimneys,inreasonablygoodrepair.
• Maintainthedwellinginreasonablyweathertightcondition
• Providereasonablyadequatelocksandkeys.• Providethenecessaryfacilitiestosupplyheat,
electricity,hotandcoldwater• Providegarbagecansandarrangeforremovalof
garbage,exceptinsinglefamilydwellings• Keepcommonareas,suchaslobbies,stairways
andhalls,reasonablycleanandfreefromhazards• Controlpestsbeforethetenantmovesin.The
landlord must continue to control infestations exceptinsinglefamilydwellings,orwhentheinfestationwascausedbythetenant
• Makerepairstokeeptheunitinthesamecondi-tionaswhenthetenantmovedin—exceptfornormal wear and tear
• Keepelectrical,plumbingandheatingsystemsingoodrepair,andmaintainanyapplianceswhichareprovidedwiththerental
• Informthetenantofthenameandaddressofthelandlordorlandlord’sagent
• Supplyhotwaterasreasonablyrequiredbytenant• Providewrittennoticeoffiresafetyandpro-
tectioninformationandensurethattheunitisequippedwithworkingsmokedetectorswhenanewtenantmovesin.(Tenantsareresponsibleformaintainingdetectors.)Exceptforsinglefamilydwellings,thenoticemustinformtheten-antonhowthesmokedetectorisoperatedandaboutthebuilding'sfirealarmand/orsprinklersystem,smokingpolicy,andplansforemer-gencynotification,evacuationandrelocation,ifany.Multifamilyunitsmayprovidethisnoticeasachecklistdisclosingthebuilding'sfiresafetyandprotectiondevicesandadiagramshowingemergencyevacuationroutes.
Information for Tenants Page 7 of 11
• Providetenantswithinformationprovidedor approvedbytheDepartmentofHealthaboutthehealthhazardsofindoormold,includinghowtocontrolmoldgrowthtominimizehealthrisks,whenanewtenantmovesin.Thelandlordmaygivewrit-teninformationindividuallytoeachtenant,ormaypostitinavisible,publiclocationatthedwellingunitproperty.Theinformationcanbeobtainedatwww.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/IAQ/mold-notification.htm.
• Investigateifatenantisengagedingang-relatedactivitywhenanothertenantnotifiesthelandlordofgang-relatedactivitybyservingawrittennoticeandinvestigationdemandtothelandlord.[RCW59.18.180]
TENANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES [RCW 59.18.130]Atenantisrequiredto:
• Payrent,andanyutilitiesagreedupon• Complywithanyrequirementsofcity,countyor
state regulations• Keeptherentalunitcleanandsanitary• Disposeofthegarbageproperly• Payforfumigationofinfestationscausedbythe
tenant• Properlyoperateplumbing,electricalandheating
systems• Notintentionallyorcarelesslydamagethedwelling• Notpermit“waste”(substantialdamagetothe
property)or“nuisance”(substantialinterferencewithothertenant’suseofproperty)
• Maintainsmokedetectiondevicesincludingbat-teryreplacement
• Notengageinactivityatthepremisesthatisimminentlyhazardoustothephysicalsafetyofotherpersonsonthepremisesandthatentailsaphysicalassaultonapersonorunlawfuluseofafirearmorotherdeadlyweaponresultinginanarrest[RCW59.18.352]
• Whenmovingout,restorethedwellingtothesameconditionsaswhenthetenantmovedin,exceptfornormalwearandtear
THREATENING BEHAVIOR BY A TENANT OR LANDLORD [RCW 59.18.352 and .354]Ifonetenantthreatensanotherwithafirearmorotherdeadlyweapon,andthethreateningtenantisarrestedasaresultofthethreat,thelandlordmayterminatethetenancyoftheoffendingtenant(althoughthelandlordisnotrequiredtotakesuchaction).Ifthelandlorddoesnotfileunlawfuldetaineraction,thethreatenedtenantmaychoosetogivewrittennoticeandmovewithoutfurtherobligationundertherentalagreement.Ifalandlordthreatensatenantundersimilarcircumstances,thetenantmaychoosetogivenoticeandmove.Inbothcases,thethreatenedten-antdoesnothavetopayrentforanydayfollowingthe
date of leaving, and is entitled to receive a pro-rated refundofanyprepaidrent.
MAKING CHANGES TO THE MONTH-TO-MONTH AGREEMENT Generallyspeaking,ifthelandlordwantstochangetheprovisionsofamonth-to-monthrentalagreement,suchasraisingtherentorchangingrules,theten-antmustbegivenatleast30daysnoticeinwriting.Thesechangescanonlybecomeeffectiveatthebeginningofarentalperiod(thedaytherentisdue).Noticewhichislessthan30dayswillbeeffectiveforthefollowingrentalperiod.
Ifthelandlordwishestoconverttheunittoacondo-minium,thetenantmustbegivena90-daynotice.[RCW59.18.200]
MAKING CHANGES TO LEASESUnderalease,inmostcases,changesduringtheleasetermcannotbemadeunlessbothlandlordandtenantagreetotheproposedchange.
If the property is sold.Thesaleofthepropertydoesnotautomaticallyendatenancy.Whenarentalunitissold,tenantsmustbenotifiedofthenewowner’snameandaddress,eitherbycertifiedmail,orbyarevisedpostingonthepremises.Alldepositspaidtotheoriginalownermustbetransferredtothenewowner,whomustputtheminatrustorescrow account.Thenewownermustpromptlynotifytenantswherethedepositsarebeingheld.
HOW TO HANDLE REPAIRSAtenantmustbecurrentinthepaymentofrentinclud-ingallutilitiestowhichthetenanthasagreedintherentalagreementtopaybeforeexercisinganystatutoryremedies,suchasrepairoptions.[RCW59.18.080]
Required Notice[RCW59.18.070]Whensomethingintherentalunitneedstoberepaired,thefirststepisforthetenanttogivewrittennoticeoftheproblemtothelandlordorpersonwhocollectstherent.
Thenoticemustincludetheaddressandapartmentnumberoftherental;thenameoftheowner,ifknown;andadescriptionoftheproblem.Aftergivingnotice,thetenantmustwaittherequiredtimeforthelandlordtobeginmakingrepairs.Thoserequiredwaitingtimesare:24hoursfornohotorcoldwater,heatorelectric-ity,orforaconditionwhichisimminentlyhazardoustolife;72hoursforrepairofrefrigerator,rangeandoven,oramajorplumbingfixturesuppliedbylandlord;10daysforallotherrepairs.
Tenant’s Options[RCW59.18.090]Ifrepairsarenotstartedwithintherequiredtimeandifthetenantispaidupinrentandutilities,thefollowingoptionscanbeused:
1) Tenantcangivewrittennoticetothelandlordandmoveoutimmediately.Tenantsareentitledtoapro-ratedrefundoftheirrent,aswellasthe
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depositstheywouldnormallygetback.2) Litigationorarbitrationcanbeusedtoworkout
thedispute.3) Thetenantcanhiresomeonetomaketherepairs.In
manycasesthetenantcanhavetheworkdoneandthendeductthecostfromtherent.[RCW59.18.100](Thisprocedurecannotbeusedtoforcealandlordtoprovideadequategarbagecans.)
An Important Note: Iftherepairisonethathasa10-daywaitingperiod,thetenantcannotcontracttohavetheworkdoneuntil10daysaftertheland-lordreceivesnotice,orfivedaysafterthelandlordreceivestheestimate,whicheverislater.
Tofollowthisprocedureatenantmust:Submitagoodfaithestimatefromalicensedorregisteredtradesperson,ifoneisrequired,tothelandlord.Afterthewaitingperiod,thetenantcancontractwiththelowestbiddertohavetheworkdone.Aftertheworkiscompleted,thetenantpaysthetradespersonanddeductsthecostfromtherentpayment.Thelandlordmustbegiventheoppor-tunitytoinspectthework.Thecostofeachrepaircannotexceedonemonth’srent;totalcostcannotexceedtwomonth’srentinany12-monthperiod.
Ifalargerepairwhichaffectsanumberoftenantsneedstobemade,thetenantscanjointogether,followtheproperprocedure,andhavetheworkdone.Theneachcandeductaportionofthecostfromtheirrent.
4) Thetenantcanmaketherepairsanddeductthecostfromtherent,iftheworkdoesnotrequirealicensedorregisteredtradesperson.Thesameprocedureisfollowedasfor(2)above.However,thecostlimitisonehalfofonemonth’srent.
5) RentinEscrow-Afternoticeofdefectivecondi-tions,andafterappropriategovernmentcertifica-tion of defect, andwaitingperiodshavepassed,thentenantsmayplacetheirmonthlyrentpay-mentsinanescrowaccount.Forcopiesofthelaw(RCW59.18)writetotheCodeReviserorconsultyourattorney.
ILLEGAL LANDLORD ACTIONS Lockouts.[RCW59.18.290]Thelawprohibitslandlordsfromchanginglocks,addingnewlocks,orotherwisemakingitimpossibleforthetenanttousethenormallocksandkeys.Evenifatenantisbehindinrent,suchlockoutsareillegal.
Atenantwhoislockedoutcanfilealawsuitto regainentry.Somelocalgovernmentsalsohavelawsagainstlockoutsandcanhelpatenantwhohasbeenlocked out of a rental. For more information contact yourcityorcountygovernment.
Utility shutoffs. [RCW59.18.300]Thelandlordmaynotshutoffutilitiesbecausethetenantisbehindinrent,ortoforceatenanttomoveout.Utilitiesmayonlybeshutoffbythelandlordsothatrepairsmaybemade,andonly
forareasonableamountoftime.Ifalandlordintention-allydoesnotpayutilitybillssotheservicewillbeturnedoff,thatcouldbeconsideredanillegalshutoff.Iftheutili-tieshavebeenshutoffbythelandlord,thetenantshouldfirstcheckwiththeutilitycompanytoseeifitwillrestoreservice.Ifitappearstheshutoffisillegal,thetenantcanfilealawsuit.Ifthetenantwinsincourt,thejudgecanawardthetenantupto$100perdayforthetimewithoutservice,aswellasattorney’sfees.
Taking the tenant’s property.[RCW59.18.310]Thelawallowsalandlordtotakeatenant’spropertyonlyinthecaseofabandonment.Aclauseinarentalagreementwhichallowsthelandlordtotakeatenant’spropertyinothersituationsisnotvalid.Ifthelandlorddoestakeatenant’spropertyillegally,thetenantmaywanttocontactthelandlordfirst.Ifthatisunsuccess-ful,thepolicecanbenotified.Ifthepropertyisnotreturnedafterthelandlordisgivenawrittenrequest,acourtcouldorderthelandlordtopaythetenantupto$100foreachdaythepropertyiskept—toatotalof$1,000.[RCW59.18.230(4)]
Renting condemned property. [RCW59.18.085]Thelandlordmaynotrentunitswhicharecondemnedorunlawfultooccupyduetoexistinguncorrectedcodeviolations.Thelandlordcanbeheldliableforthreemonthsrentortrebledamages,whicheverisgreater,aswellascostsandattorneysfeesforknow-inglyrentingtheproperty.
Retaliatory actions. [RCW59.18.240-.250]Iftheten-antexercisesrightsunderthelaw,suchascomplainingtoagovernmentauthorityordeductingforrepairs,thelawprohibitsthelandlordfromtakingretaliatoryaction.Examplesofretaliatoryactionsareraisingtherent, reducingservicesprovidedtothetenant,orevictingthetenant.Thelawinitiallyassumesthatthesestepsareretaliatoryiftheyoccurwithin90daysaftertheten-ant’saction,unlessthetenantwasinsomewayviolat-ingthestatutewhenthechangewasreceived.Ifthematteristakentocourtandthejudgefindsinfavorofthetenant,thelandlordcanbeorderedtoreversetheretaliatoryaction,aswellaspayforanyharmdonetothetenantandpaythetenant’sattorneyfees.
ENDING THE AGREEMENTProper Notice to Leave for Leases.Ifthetenantmovesoutattheexpirationofalease,inmostcasesitisnotnecessarytogivethelandlordawrittennotice.However,theleaseshouldbeconsultedtobesureaformalnoticeisnotrequired.Ifatenantstaysbeyondtheexpirationofthelease,andthelandlordacceptsthenextmonth’srent,thetenantthenisassumedtoberentingunderamonth-to-monthagreement.
Atenantwholeavesbeforealeaseexpiresis responsibleforpayingtherentfortherestofthelease.However,thelandlordmustmakeanefforttore-renttheunitatareasonableprice.Ifthisisnotdone,thetenantmaynotbeliableforrentbeyondareasonableperiodoftime.
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Underthelaw,therentalunitmustberestoredtothesameconditionaswhenthetenantmovedin,exceptfornormalwearandtear.Depositscannotbeusedtocovernormalwearandtear;ordamagethatexistedwhenthetenantmovedin.
Thelandlordisincompliancewiththelawifthe requiredpayment,statement,orboth,aredepositedintheU.S.MailwithFirstClasspostagepaid,within14days.Ifthetenanttakesthelandlordtocourt,anditisruledthatthelandlordintentionallydidnotgivethestatementorreturnthemoney,thecourtcanawardthetenantuptotwicetheamountofthedeposit.
EVICTIONSFor not paying rent. Ifthetenantisevenonedaybe-hindinrent,thelandlordcanissueathree-daynoticetopayormoveout.Ifthetenantpaysalltherentduewithinthreedays,thelandlordmustacceptitandcan-notevictthetenant.Alandlordisnotrequiredtoac-ceptapartialpayment.[RCW59.12.030,59.18.115(5)]
For not complying with the terms of the rental agreement. Ifthetenantisnotcomplyingwiththerentalagreement(forexample,keepingacatwhentheagreementspecifiesnopetsareallowed),thelandlordcangivea10-daynoticetocomplyormoveout.Ifthetenantsatisfactorilyremediesthesituationwithinthattime,thelandlordcannotcontinuetheevictionprocess.
For creating a “waste or nuisance.”Ifatenantdestroysthelandlord’sproperty,usesthepremisesforunlawfulactivityincludinggang-ordrug-relatedactivi-ties,damagesthevalueofthepropertyorinterfereswithothertenant’suseoftheproperty,thelandlordcanissueathree-daynoticetomoveout.Thetenantmustmoveoutafterthiskindofnotice.Thereisnooptiontostayandcorrecttheproblem.
For violations within drug and alcohol free housing. Ifatenantenrolledinaprogramofrecoveryindrugandalcoholfreehousingforlessthantwoyearsuses,possesses,orsharesalcoholordrugsthelandlordcangiveathree-daynoticetomoveout.Ifthetenantcurestheviolationwithinoneday,therentalagreementdoesnotterminate.Ifthetenantfailstoremedytheviolationwithinoneday,heorshemustmoveoutandtherentalagreementisterminated.Ifthetenantengagesinsubstantiallythesamebehaviorwithinsixmonths,thelandlordcangiveathree-daynoticetomoveoutandthetenanthasnorighttocurethesubsequentviolation.
For no cause.ExceptinthecityofSeattle,landlordscanterminateamonth-to-monthtenancywithouthavingorstatingaparticularreason,aslongastheterminationisnotdiscriminatoryorretaliatory.
Ifthelandlordwantsatenanttomoveoutanddoesnotgiveareason,thetenantmustbegivena20-daynoticetoleave.Thetenantmustreceivethenoticeatleast20daysbeforethenextrentisdue.Thetenantcanonlyberequiredtomoveoutattheendofarental
Proper Notice to Leave for Leases—Armed Forces Exception. Aleasecanbeterminatedwhenthetenantisamemberofthearmedforces(includingthenationalguardorarmedforcesreserve),ifthetenantreceivesreassignmentordeploymentorders,providedthetenantinformsthelandlordnolaterthansevendaysafterthereceiptofsuchorders.Inthesecircumstances,thetenancymayalsobeterminatedbythetenant'sspouseordependent.
Proper Notice to Leave for Month-to-Month Agree-ments. Whenatenantwantstoendamonth-to-monthrentalagreement,writtennoticemustbegiventothelandlord.
Thenoticemustbereceivedatleast20daysbeforetheendoftherentalperiod(thedaybeforetherentisdue).Thedaywhichthenoticeisdelivereddoesnotcount.Alandlordcannotrequireatenanttogivemorethan20daysnoticewhenmovingout.Whenalandlordwantsamonth-to-monthrentertomoveout,a20-daynoticeisrequired.Ifatenantmovesoutwithoutgivingpropernotice,thelawsaysthetenantisliableforrentforthelesserof:30daysfromthedaythenextrentisdue,or30daysfromthedaythelandlordlearnsthetenanthasmovedout.However,thelandlordhasadutytotryandfindanewrenter.Ifthedwellingisrentedbeforetheendofthe30days,theformertenantmustpayonlyuntilthenewtenantbeginspayingrent.
Proper Notice to Leave for Month-to-Month Agreements—Armed Forces Exception. Amonth-to-monthtenancycanbeterminatedwithlessthan20dayswrittennoticewhenthetenantisamemberofthearmedforces(includingthenationalguardorarmedforcesreserve),ifthetenantreceivesreas-signmentordeploymentordersthatdonotallowfora20-daynotice.Inthesecircumstances,theten-ancymayalsobeterminatedbythetenant'sspouseor dependent.
Violation of Protection Order. Atenantwhohasgivenwrittennoticetothelandlordthatheorsheorahouseholdmemberwasavictimofdomesticviolence,sexualassaultorstalking,mayimmediatelyterminatearentalagreementwhenavalidorderforprotec-tionhasbeenviolatedorthetenanthasnotifiedtheappropriatelawenforcementofficersoftheviolation.Acopyoftheordermustbemadeavailabletothelandlord.Thetenantmustterminatetherentalagree-mentwithin90daysoftheactoreventleadingtotheprotection order or report to appropriate law enforce-ment.[RCW59.18.575]
RETURN OF DEPOSITS [RCW 59.18.280]Afteratenantmovesout,alandlordhas14daysinwhichtoreturnthedeposits,orgivethetenantawrit-tenstatementofwhyallorpartofthemoneyisbeingkept.Itisadvisableforthetenanttoleaveaforward-ingaddresswiththelandlordwhenmovingout.
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period(thedaybeforearentalpaymentisdue).Usu-ally,a20-daynoticecannotbeusedifthetenanthassignedalease.Checkthespecificrentaldocumenttodetermineifaleasecanbeendedthisway.
Inorderforalandlordtotakelegalactionagainstatenantwhodoesnotmoveout,noticemustbegiveninaccordancewiththeunlawfuldetainerlaw(RCW59.12.040).
Ifthetenantcontinuestooccupytherentalinviolationofanoticetoleave,thelandlordmustthengotocourttobeginwhatiscalledan“unlawfuldetainer”action.Ifthecourtrulesinfavorofthelandlord,thesheriffwillbeinstructedtomovethetenantoutoftherentalifthetenantdoesnotleavevoluntarily.Theonlylegalwayforalandlordtomoveatenantphysicallyoutofaunitisbygoingthroughthecourtsandthesheriff’soffice.
ABANDONMENT RELATED TO FAILURE TO PAY RENT [RCW 59.18.310]
Underthelaw,abandonmentoccurswhenatenanthasbothfallenbehindinrentandhasclearlyindi-catedbywordsoractionsanintentionnottocontinuelivingintherental.
Whenarentalhasbeenabandoned,thelandlordmayentertheunitandremoveanyabandonedproperty.Itmustbestoredinareasonablysecureplace.Anoticemustbemailedtothetenantsayingwherethepropertyisbeingstoredandwhenitwillbesold.Ifthelandlorddoesnothaveanewaddressfortheten-ant,thenoticeshouldbemailedtotherentaladdress,soitcanbeforwardedbytheU.S.PostalService.
Howlongalandlordmustwaitbeforesellingaban-donedpropertydependsonthevalueofthegoods.Ifthetotalvalueofpropertyislessthan$50,theland-lordmustmailanoticeofthesaletothetenantandthenwaitseven(7)days.Familypictures,keepsakesandpersonalpaperscannotbesolduntilforty-five(45)daysafterthelandlordmailsthenoticeofaban-donmenttothetenant.
Ifthetotalvalueofthepropertyismorethan$50,thelandlordmustmailanoticeofthesaletothetenantandthenwaitforty-five(45)days.Personalpapers,familypictures,andkeepsakescanbesoldatthesametimeasotherproperty.
Themoneyraisedbythesaleofthepropertygoestocovermoneyowedtothelandlord,suchasbackrentandthecostofstoringandsellingthegoods.Ifthereisanymoneyleftover,thelandlordmustkeepitforthetenantforone(1)year.Ifitisnotclaimedwithinthattime,itbelongstothelandlord.
Ifalandlordtakesatenant’spropertyandacourtlaterdeterminestherehadnotactuallybeenanabandon-ment,thelandlordcouldbeorderedtocompensatethetenantforlossoftheproperty,aswellaspayingcourtandattorneycosts.
Withinfourteen(14)daysoflearningofanabandon-ment,thelandlordisresponsibleforeitherreturningatenant’sdepositorprovidingastatementofwhythedepositisbeingkept.
ABANDONMENT RELATED TO EVICTION [RCW 59.18.312]
Whenatenanthasbeenservedwithawritofrestitutioninanevictionaction,thetenantwillreceivewrittennotifica-tionofthelandlord'sresponsibilitiesregardingstoringthetenant'spropertythatisleftbehindafterthepremisesisvacant.Tenantswillbeprovidedwithaformtorequestthelandlordstorethetenants'sproperty.
Alandlordisrequiredtostorethetenant'spropertyifthetenantmakesawrittenrequestforstoragewithinthree(3)daysofserviceofthewritofrestitutionorifthelandlordknowsthatthetenantisapersonwithadisabilitythatpreventsthetenantfrommakingawrit-tenrequestandthetenanthasnotobjectedtostor-age.Thewrittenrequestforstoragemaybeservedbypersonaldelivery,orbymailingorfaxingtothelandlordattheaddressorfaxnumberidentifiedontherequestformprovidedbythelandlord.
AftertheWritofRestitutionhasbeenexecuted,thelandlordmayenterthepremisesandtakepossessionofanyofthetenant'sremainingbelongings.Withoutawrittenrequestfromthetenant,thelandlordmaychoosetostorethetenant'spropertyordepositthetenant'spropertyonthenearestpublicproperty.Ifthelandlordchoosestostorethetenant'sproperty,whetherrequestedornot,itmaynotbereturnedtothetenantuntilthetenantpaystheactualorreason-ablecostsofmovingandstorage,whicheverislesswithinthirty(30)days.
Ifthetotalvalueofthepropertyismorethan$100.00,thelandlordmustnotifythetenantofthependingsalebypersonaldeliveryormailtothetenant'slastknownaddress.Afterthirty(30)daysfromthedateofthenotice,thelandlordmayselltheproperty,includingpersonalpapers,familypictures,andkeepsakesanddisposeofanypropertynotsold.
Ifthetotalvalueofthepropertyis$100.00orless,thelandlordmustnotifythetenantofthependingsalebypersonaldeliveryormailtothetenant'slastknownaddress.Afterseven(7)daysfromthedateofthenotice,thelandlordmaysellordisposeoftheprop-ertyexceptforpersonalpapers,familypictures,andkeepsakes.
Theproceedsfromthesaleofthepropertymaybeappliedtowardsanymoneyowedtothelandlordfortheactualandreasonablecostsofmovingandstor-ingoftheproperty,whicheverisless.Thecostscan-
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notexceedtheactualorreasonablecostsofmovingandstorage,whicheverisless.Ifthereareadditionalproceeds,thelandlordmustkeepitforthetenantforone(1)year.Ifnoclaimismadebythetenantfortherecoveryoftheadditionalproceedswithinone(1)year,thebalancewillbetreatedasabandonedprop-ertyanddepositedwiththeWashingtonStateDepart-mentofRevenue.