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Page 10 of 15 Information for Tenants <br />other persons on the premises and that entails a <br />physical assault on a person or unlawful use of <br />a firearm or other deadly weapon resulting in an <br />arrest [RCW 59.18.352] <br />• When moving out, restore the dwelling to the <br />same conditions as when the tenant moved in, <br />except for normal wear and tear <br />THREATENING BEHAVIOR BY A TENANT OR <br />LANDLORD (RCW 59.18.352 and 354) <br />If one tenant threatens another with a firearm or other <br />deadly weapon, and the threatening tenant is arrested <br />as a result of the threat, the landlord may terminate <br />the tenancy of the offending tenant (although the <br />landlord is not required to take such action). If the <br />landlord does not file an unlawful detainer action, the <br />threatened tenant may choose to give written notice <br />and move without further obligation under the rental <br />agreement. If a landlord threatens a tenant under <br />similar circumstances, the tenant may choose to give <br />notice and move. In both cases, the threatened ten- <br />ant does not have to pay rent for any day following the <br />date of leaving, and is entitled to receive a pro-rated <br />refund of any prepaid rent. <br />MAKING CHANGES TO THE MONTH-TO- <br />MONTH AGREEMENT <br />Generally speaking, if the landlord wants to change <br />the provisions of a month-to-month rental agreement, <br />such as raising the rent or changing rules, the ten- <br />ant must be given at least 30 days notice in writing. <br />These changes can only become effective at the <br />beginning of a rental period (the day the rent is due). <br />Notice which is less than 30 days will be effective for <br />the following rental period. <br />If the landlord wishes to convert the unit to a condo- <br />minium, the tenant must be given a 90-day notice. <br />[RCW 59.18.200] <br />MAKING CHANGES TO A FIXED LEASE TERM <br />Under a lease, in most cases, changes during the <br />lease term cannot be made unless both landlord and <br />tenant agree to the proposed change. <br />If the property is sold. The sale of the property does <br />not automatically end a tenancy. When a rental unit <br />is sold, tenants must be notified of the new owner’s <br />name and address, either by certified mail, or by a <br />revised posting on the premises. All deposits paid <br />to the original owner must be transferred to the new <br />owner, who must put them in a trust or escrow <br />account. The new owner must promptly notify tenants <br />where the deposits are being held. <br />good repair, and maintain any appliances which <br />are provided with the rental <br />• Inform the tenant of the name and address of the <br />landlord or landlord’s agent <br />• Supply hot water as reasonably required by tenant <br />• Provide written notice of fire safety and pro- <br />tection information and ensure that the unit is <br />equipped with working smoke detectors when a <br />new tenant moves in. (Tenants are responsible <br />for maintaining detectors.) Except for single <br />family dwellings, the notice must inform the ten- <br />ant on how the smoke detector is operated and <br />about the building's fire alarm and/or sprinkler <br />system, smoking policy, and plans for emer- <br />gency notification, evacuation and relocation, if <br />any. Multifamily units may provide this notice as <br />a checklist disclosing the building's fire safety <br />and protection devices and a diagram showing <br />emergency evacuation routes. <br />• Provide tenants with information provided or <br />approved by the Department of Health about the <br />health hazards of indoor mold, including how to <br />control mold growth to minimize health risks, when <br />a new tenant moves in. The landlord may give writ- <br />ten information individually to each tenant, or may <br />post it in a visible, public location at the dwelling <br />unit property. The information can be obtained at <br />www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/IAQ/mold-notification.htm. <br />• Investigate if a tenant is engaged in gang-related <br />activity when another tenant notifies the landlord <br />of gang-related activity by serving a written notice <br />and investigation demand to the landlord. [RCW <br />59.18.180] <br />• Provide carbon monoxide detectors. <br />TENANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES [RCW 59.18.130] <br />A tenant is required to: <br />• Pay rent, and any utilities agreed upon <br />• Comply with any requirements of city, county or <br />state regulations <br />• Keep the rental unit clean and sanitary <br />• Dispose of the garbage properly <br />• Pay for fumigation of infestations caused by the <br />tenant <br />• Properly operate plumbing, electrical and heating <br />systems <br />• Not intentionally or carelessly damage the dwelling <br />• Not permit “waste” (substantial damage to the <br />property) or “nuisance” (substantial interference <br />with other tenant’s use of property) <br />• Maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detection <br />devices including battery replacement <br />• Not engage in activity at the premises that is <br />imminently hazardous to the physical safety of