Laserfiche WebLink
Information for Tenants Page 5 of 15 <br />Move-in Fees <br />Move-in fees are by state and city definition non- <br />refundable. <br />Allowable move-in fees are limited to the cost of ob- <br />taining a tenant screening report, criminal background <br />check, or credit report and to pay to clean the rental <br />unit upon termination of a tenancy. <br />The cost for obtaining a tenant screening report can- <br />not exceed the customary cost for obtaining such a <br />report in the City of Seattle; a Landlord cannot charge <br />a tenant more than the report’s actual cost. The <br />landlord must provide the tenant a receipt for any fees <br />charged for obtaining the tenant screening report. <br />The landlord must also provide the tenant the name <br />and address of the reporting agency that prepared <br />the report and the prospective tenant’s right to obtain <br />a free copy of it. <br />If the landlord chooses to charge a non-refundable <br />cleaning fee, the landlord may not deduct additional <br />cleaning fees from the tenant’s security deposit at the <br />end of a tenancy. <br />Landlords are prohibited from charging any one-time <br />fee at the beginning of a tenancy other than a security <br />deposit, pet damage deposit, an authorized non- <br />refundable move-in fee, or last month’s rent. <br />Move-in fees cannot exceed 10% of the first full <br />month’s rent except in the case where the actual cost <br />for obtaining a tenant screening report, criminal back- <br />ground check, or credit report exceeds 10%, the cost <br />may be included in the non-refundable fee. However, <br />the total amount of a security deposit and move-in fees <br />cannot exceed the amount of the first full month’s rent. <br />Summary of Limitations on Security Deposits, Pet <br />Damage Deposits, and Move-In Fees <br />The total amount of a security deposit and move-in fees <br />cannot exceed the amount of the first full month’s rent. <br />Non-refundable move-in fees cannot exceed 10% of <br />the first full month’s rent. A pet damage deposit may <br />not exceed 25% of the rent for the first full month. <br />Installment Payments <br />Security Deposits and Move-In Fees <br />If the total amount of a security deposit and non- <br />refundable move-in fees exceeds 25% of the first full <br />month’s rent, a tenant may choose to pay the total <br />amount in installments as follows: <br />• For tenancies that are six (6) months or longer, a <br />tenant may elect to pay in six (6) consecutive and <br />equal monthly installments beginning at the com- <br />mencement of the tenancy. <br />• For tenancies between thirty (30) days and six (6) <br />months, a tenant may elect to pay in no more than <br />four (4) equal installments of equal duration at the <br />commencement of the tenancy. <br />• For tenancies that are month-to-month, the tenant <br />may elect to pay in two (2) equal installments, with <br />the first payment due at the commencement of the <br />tenancy and the second payment due on the first <br />day of the second monthly rental period. <br />A tenant may propose an alternative installment <br />schedule to which the landlord may agree. If an alter- <br />native plan is mutually agreed to, it must be described <br />in a written rental agreement or a written addendum to <br />the agreement. Failure to pay an installment of the se- <br />curity deposit and/or non-refundable fees is a breach <br />of the rental agreement and may subject the tenant to <br />a 10-day comply or vacate notice issued pursuant to <br />RCW 59.12.030(4). <br />A landlord cannot impose any cost on a tenant for an <br />installment plan. <br />The requirement to allow an installment plan for the <br />payment of deposits and move-in fees does not apply <br />to tenants who rent a housing unit in a single-family <br />house or attached accessory dwelling unit if the owner <br />resides in the house as the owner’s principal residence. <br />Last Month’s Rent <br />Tenants may choose to pay last month’s rent in install- <br />ments. <br />For tenancies that are six (6) months or longer, a ten- <br />ant may elect to pay in six (6) consecutive and equal <br />monthly installments beginning on the first month of <br />the tenancy; tenancies between sixty (60) days and <br />six (6) months, the tenant may elect to pay in no more <br />than four (4) equal installments of equal duration be- <br />ginning at the commencement of the tenancy. <br />A tenant may propose an alternative installment <br />schedule to which the landlord may agree. If an alter- <br />native plan is mutually agreed to, it must be described <br />in a written rental agreement or a written addendum to <br />the agreement. <br />A landlord cannot impose any cost on a tenant for an <br />installment plan. <br />The requirement to allow an installment plan for the <br />payment of last month’s rent does not apply to tenants <br />who rent a housing unit in a single-family house or at- <br />tached accessory dwelling unit if the owner resides in <br />the house as the owner’s principal residence. <br />Pet Damage Deposits <br />A tenant may elect to pay a pet damage deposit in three <br />(3) equal monthly installments beginning on the first full <br />month the pet occupies the housing unit. A tenant may <br />propose an alternative installment schedule to which the