Coast Property Management 8/3/2020

Page 12 of 15 Information for Tenants $1,000. [RCW 59.18.230(4)] not count. A landlord cannot require a tenant to give more than 20 days notice when moving out. When a Renting condemned property.[RCW 59.18.085] landlord wants a month-to-month renter to move out, The landlord may not rent units which are condemned a 20-day notice is required(only outside of Seattle). If or unlawful to occupy due to existing uncorrected a tenant moves out without giving proper notice,the code violations. The landlord can be held liable for law says the tenant is liable for rent for the lesser of: three months rent or treble damages, whichever is 30 days from the day the next rent is due, or 30 days greater, as well as costs and attorneys fees for know- from the day the landlord learns the tenant has moved ingly renting the property. out. However,the landlord has a duty to try and find a Retaliatory actions. [RCW 59.18.240-.250] If the ten- new renter. If the dwelling is rented before the end of ant exercises rights under the law, such as complaining the 30 days,the former tenant must pay only until the to a government authority or deducting for repairs,the new tenant begins paying rent. ( law prohibits the landlord from taking retaliatory action. Proper Notice to Leave for Month-to-Month Examples of retaliatory actions are raising the rent, Agreements—Armed Forces Exception. A month- reducing services provided to the tenant, or evicting to-month tenancy can be terminated with less than the tenant. The law initially assumes that these steps 20 days written notice when the tenant is a member are retaliatory if they occur within 90 days after the ten- of the armed forces(including the national guard or ant's action, unless the tenant was in some way violet- armed forces reserve), if the tenant receives reas- ing the statute when the change was received. If the signment or deployment orders that do not allow for matter is taken to court and the judge finds in favor of a 20-day notice. In these circumstances,the ten- the tenant, the landlord can be ordered to reverse the ancy may also be terminated by the tenant's spouse retaliatory action,as well as pay for any harm done to or dependent. [RCW 59.18.200] the tenant and pay the tenant's attorney fees. Domestic Violence Protection. If a tenant or a ENDING THE AGREEMENT household member is a victim of an incident of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harass- Proper Notice to Leave for Leases. If the tenant ment, or stalking,the tenant may terminate their rental moves out at the expiration of a lease, in most cases it agreement without penalty,change the locks on their is not necessary to give the landlord a written notice. unit at their own expense,or both.The tenant must However, the lease should be consulted to be sure a notify the landlord in writing that they or a household formal notice is not required. If a tenant stays beyond member were a victim of one of the above crimes and the expiration of the lease,and the landlord accepts either provide a copy of a valid order for protection the next month's rent,the tenant then is assumed to or a report of the incident from a qualified third party be renting under a month-to-month agreement. to the landlord.Qualified third parties include law enforcement officers,court officials, licensed mental A tenant who leaves before a lease expires is health professionals,doctors, and victim advocates. responsible for paying the rent for the rest of the lease The tenant must terminate the rental agreement within term. However,the landlord must make an effort to re- 90 days of the incident leading to the protection order rent the unit at a reasonable price. If this is not done, or report to a qualified third party.The protection the tenant may not be liable for rent beyond a reason- order or third party's report must be made available to able period of time. [RCW 59.18.310(1)] the landlord within 7 days of the tenant moving out of Proper Notice to Leave for Leases—Armed Forces the unit or at the same time the tenant gives notice to Exception. A lease can be terminated when the ten- the landlord that the locks have been changed. [ROW ant is a member of the armed forces(including the 59.18.570-585] national guard or armed forces reserve), if the tenant receives reassignment or deployment orders, provid- RETURN OF DEPOSITS [RCW 59.18.280] ed the tenant informs the landlord no later than seven After a tenant moves out, a landlord has 21 days in days after the receipt of such orders. In these circum- which to return a deposit,or give the tenant a writ- stances,the tenancy may also be terminated by the ten statement of why all or part of the money is being tenant's spouse or dependent. [RCW 59.18.220] kept. It is advisable for the tenant to leave a forward- Proper Notice to Leave for Month-to-Month Agree- ing address with the landlord when moving out. ments. When a tenant wants to end a month-to- ' month rental agreement,written notice must be given The rental unit should be restored to the same condi to the landlord. tion as when the tenant moved in, except for normal wear and tear. Deposits cannot be used to cover a that existed when The notice must be received at least 20 days before normal wear and tear; or damage the end of the rental period(the day before the rent the tenant moved in. is due). The day which the notice is delivered does