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Page 8 of 15 Information for Tenants owners of residential housing in Seattle, with certain limited exceptions, must register their properties with the City. A registration is good for five years. No tenant can be evicted from a property if the property is not registered with the City. With a few exceptions, all properties must be inspected at least once every ten years. These inspections can be conducted by City-approved inspectors or by City housing/zoning inspectors. Information about the RRIO Program can be obtained by calling (206) 684-4110 or going to the program website at www.seattle.gov/RRIO. The Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act Chapter 59.18 RCW. GOOD FAITH OBLIGATION State law requires landlords and tenants to act in good faith toward one another. Most tenants who rent a place to live come under the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. However, certain renters are specifically excluded from the law. Residents who are generally not covered by the Act are: • Renters of a space in a mobile home park are usually covered by the state’s Mobile Home Land- lord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.20). However, renters of both a space and a mobile home are usually covered by the residential law. • Residents in transient lodgings such as hotels and motels; residents of public or private medical, religious, educational, recreational or correctional in- stitutions; residents of a single family dwelling which is rented as part of a lease of agricultural land; resi- dents of housing provided for seasonal farm work. • Tenants with an earnest money agreement to pur- chase the dwelling. Tenants who lease a single family dwelling with an option to purchase, if the tenant's attorney has approved the face of the lease. Tenants who have signed a lease option agreement but have not yet exercised that option are still covered. • Tenants who are employed by the landlord, when their agreement specifies that they can only live in the rental unit as long as they hold the job (such as an apartment house manager). • Tenants who are leasing a single family dwelling for one year or more, when their attorney has approved the exemption. • Tenants who are using the property for commer- cial rather than residential purposes. RIGHTS OF ALL TENANTS Regardless of whether they are covered by the Resi- dential Landlord-Tenant Act, all renters have these basic rights under other state laws: the Right to a livable dwelling; Protection from unlawful discrimina- tion; Right to hold the landlord liable for personal injury or property damage caused by the landlord’s negligence; Protection against lockouts and seizure of personal property by the landlord. TYPES OF RENTAL AGREEMENTS Month-to-Month Agreement. This agreement is for an indefinite period of time, with rent usually payable on a monthly basis or other short term period. The agreement itself can be in writing or oral, but if any type of fee or refundable deposit is collected, the agreement must be in writing. [RCW 59.18.260] A month-to-month agreement continues until the ten- ant gives the landlord written notice at least 20 days before the end of the rental period. In the situation of a conversion to a condominium or a change in the policy excluding children the landlord must provide 90 days written notice to the tenant. [RCW 59.18.200] The rent can be increased or the rules changed at any time, provided the landlord gives the tenant written notice at least 30 days before the effective date of the rent increase or rule change. [RCW 59.18.140] Fixed Term Lease. A lease requires the tenant to stay for a specific amount of time and restricts the landlord’s ability to change the terms of the rental agreement. A lease must be in writing to be valid. During the term of the lease, the rent cannot be raised or the rules changed unless both landlord and tenant agree. Leases for longer than one year must be notarized. ILLEGAL DISCRIMINATION Federal law prohibits most landlords from refusing to rent to a person or imposing different rental terms on a person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status (having children or seeking custody of children), or national origin. [Fair Housing Act 42 USC s. 3601 et.seq. 1988] State law recog- nizes protection to the same individuals as well as for marital status, creed, the presence of sensory, mental, or physical disability. If you think you have been denied rental housing or have been the victim of housing discrimination file a written complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission. You may also file a complaint with the federal Fair Housing Section of the Department of Housing and Urban De- velopment or your local city human rights department.