Coast Property Management 8/3/2020

Information for Tenants Page 9 of 15 nizes protection to the same individuals as well as for the landlord has given at least one-day's notice of marital status, creed,the presence of sensory, mental, intent to enter at a specified time to exhibit the dwell- or physical disability. If you think you have been ing to prospective or actual purchasers or tenants. denied rental housing or have been the victim of The law says that tenants shall not unreasonably housing discrimination file a written complaint with refuse the landlord access to repair, improve, or the Washington State Human Rights Commission. You service the dwelling. In case of an emergency, or if may also file a complaint with the federal Fair Housing the property has been abandoned,the landlord can Section of the Department of Housing and Urban De- enter without notice. velopment or your local city human rights department. DEPOSITS AND OTHER FEES LIABILITY Refundable deposits Once a tenant has signed a rental agreement,the ten- Under the Landlord-Tenant Act, the term"deposit" ant must continue to pay the rent to maintain eligibil- can only be applied to money which can be refunded ity to bring actions under this act. The tenant should to the tenant. If a refundable deposit is collected, the also understand what he or she is responsible for in law requires: the maintenance of the property. While the landlord is responsible for any damage which occurs due to the • The rental agreement must be in writing. It must say landlord's negligence,the tenant must be prepared to what each deposit is for and what the tenant must accept responsibility for damages he or she causes. do in order to get the money back.[RCW 59.18.280] [RCW 59,18.060] • The tenant must be given a written receipt for each deposit. [RCW 59.18.270] ILLEGAL PROVISIONS IN RENTAL • A checklist or statement describing the condition AGREEMENTS of the rental unit must be filled out. The landlord and the tenant must sign it, and the tenant must Some provisions which may appear in rental agree- ments or leases are not legal and cannot be enforced be given a signed copy. [RCW 59.18,260] under the law. [RCW 59.18.2$0]These include: • The deposits must be placed in a trust account in a bank or escrow company.The tenant must be • A provision which waives any right given to ten- informed in writing where the deposits are being ants by the Landlord-Tenant Act or that surren- kept. Unless some other agreement has been ders tenants' right to defend themselves in court made in writing, any interest earned by the depos- against a landlord's accusations. it belongs to the landlord. [ROW 59.18.270] • A provision stating the tenant will pay the land- lord's attorney's fees under any circumstances if a Non-refundable fees dispute goes to court. These will not be returned to the tenant under any cir- • A provision which limits the landlord's liability in cumstances. If a non-refundable fee is being charged, situations where the landlord would normally be the rental agreement must be in writing and must state responsible, that the fee will not be returned. A non-refundable fee • A provision which requires the tenant to agree to a cannot legally be called a"deposit." [RCW 59.18.285] particular arbitrator at the time of signing the rental agreement. LANDLORD'S RESPONSIBILITIES • A provision allowing the landlord to enter the [RCW 59.18.060] rental unit without proper notice. The landlord must: • A provision requiring a tenant to pay for all dam- age to the unit, even if it is not caused by tenants • Maintain the dwelling so it does not violate state or their guests. and local codes in ways which endanger tenants' • A provision that allows the landlord to seize a ten- health and safety ant's property if the tenant falls behind in rent. • Maintain structural components, such as roofs, floors and chimneys, in reasonably good repair. PRIVACY—LANDLORD'S ACCESS TO THE • Maintain the dwelling in reasonably weather tight RENTAL [RCW 59.18.150] condition The landlord must give the tenant at least a two day • Provide reasonably adequate locks and keys. written notice of their intent to enter at reasonable • Provide the necessary facilities to supply heat, times. However, tenants must not unreasonably electricity, hot and cold water refuse to allow the landlord to enter the rental where • Provide garbage cans and arrange for removal of garbage, except in single family dwellings • Keep common areas,such as lobbies,stairways