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Washington Landlord And Tenant Legal Questions

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136 legal questions have been posted about landlord and tenant law by real users in Washington. Ask your question and dive into the knowledge of attorneys who handle your issue regularly. Similar topics to explore also include leases and leasing, equipment finance and leasing, and commercial leasing. All topics and other states can be accessed in the dropdowns below.
Washington Landlord And Tenant Questions & Legal Answers - Page 2
Do you have any Washington Landlord And Tenant questions page 2 and need some legal advice or guidance? Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 136 previously answered Washington Landlord And Tenant questions.
Landlord and Tenant Law
Washington

Recent Legal Answers

Can landlord cancel contract after you've paid 90% on rent to own property?

Answered 12 years ago by Mark T. Peters, Sr. (Unclaimed Profile)   |   6 Answers
Get a lawyer to look over your original agreement and go over the facts. If you defaulted in making a payment, you may have lost the right to purchase the property.
Get a lawyer to look over your original agreement and go over the facts. If you defaulted in making a payment, you may have lost the right to... Read More

Can landlord cancel contract after you've paid 90% on rent to own property?

Answered 12 years ago by attorney Mr. Carlton C. Casler   |   6 Answers
You have provided very few facts, but assuming you entered into an enforceable agreement to purchase real property, the owner cannot unilaterally cancel or change the terms of the agreement, unless the written agreement gave her that ability under certain circumstances. Take your written agreement and consult an attorney right away.... Read More
You have provided very few facts, but assuming you entered into an enforceable agreement to purchase real property, the owner cannot unilaterally... Read More

Can landlord cancel contract after you've paid 90% on rent to own property?

Answered 12 years ago by James T Weiner (Unclaimed Profile)   |   6 Answers
It depends upon the terms of the contract so most attorneys will not be able to tell with the general description you gave..but if you are behind or otherwise breached the contract she may have an out.. otherwise you have rights and should contact an attorney.
It depends upon the terms of the contract so most attorneys will not be able to tell with the general description you gave..but if you are behind or... Read More

Can landlord cancel contract after you've paid 90% on rent to own property?

Answered 12 years ago by Ronald Daniel Dessy (Unclaimed Profile)   |   6 Answers
Do not sign the contract. Even if you were behind on payments, you're entitled catch up before your ownership interest can be foreclosed. Further, the landlord cannot someone in possession under the purchase agreement, that requires any ejectment action.
Do not sign the contract. Even if you were behind on payments, you're entitled catch up before your ownership interest can be foreclosed. Further,... Read More

Can I take my roommates to court if they won't be able to pay their share in the rent?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Mark T. Peters, Sr. (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers
Yes, you have to evict them. If there is no signed rental agreement, then in Idaho you have to give a 30-day notice to quit and then serve them with a complaint to leave.
Yes, you have to evict them. If there is no signed rental agreement, then in Idaho you have to give a 30-day notice to quit and then serve them with... Read More

Are there any laws or protections against residential property for endangerment/undermining of on site manager?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by Mark T. Peters, Sr. (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers
Sue the owner or the people who hired you.
Sue the owner or the people who hired you.

What can I do about renting an item of mine that never came back that supposedly got stolen and I have a contract?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by Mark T. Peters, Sr. (Unclaimed Profile)   |   3 Answers
You should have sued him within 30 days of not having it returned. Sue him now.
You should have sued him within 30 days of not having it returned. Sue him now.

What can I do with unauthorized occupant?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by Frances Ann Headley (Unclaimed Profile)   |   5 Answers
Should you so desire, you can serve a 3 day notice for failure to abide by the conditions of the lease. Bear in mind however that this type of eviction can be difficult due to the problems in proof. You should consult with a real estate attorney to review all of the facts and advise you.... Read More
Should you so desire, you can serve a 3 day notice for failure to abide by the conditions of the lease. Bear in mind however that this type of... Read More

What can I do with unauthorized occupant?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by Glen P. Malia (Unclaimed Profile)   |   5 Answers
In NY a tenant is allowed to a family member, which would include a live-in boyfriend, move into the apartment, even if the landlord does not consent. Therefore, if you are in NY you may not be able to do anything about it. However, you can advise the tenant that because of the "guest" you will not be renewing her lease when it comes due. This may get her to follow the rules you have laid out to her. Obviously, if her lease has previously expired and she in now a month-to-month tenant you can serve her with a notice of termination and subsequently evict her if she does not move out.... Read More
In NY a tenant is allowed to a family member, which would include a live-in boyfriend, move into the apartment, even if the landlord does not... Read More

Can I break my lease due to rats?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by Wayne J Wimer (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
Sticky pads won't work. Call the health department and complain about the rats. That will force the owner to deal with the problem.
Sticky pads won't work. Call the health department and complain about the rats. That will force the owner to deal with the problem.

Can the eldest sister sue her brother for trespassing if he put a single wide to a land and the sister did not allowed him?

Answered 12 years and 3 months ago by Mark T. Peters, Sr. (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers
Who owns the land? The siblings together? In that case each one has the right to use the land or allow others to use the land. So, your best bet is to go to court and ask the court to partition the land. This means that it will either be divided or sold.
Who owns the land? The siblings together? In that case each one has the right to use the land or allow others to use the land. So, your best bet... Read More

In the event that the Lessee, happens to fall into arrears with rentals, against whom can the Lessor have recourse?

Answered 12 years and 3 months ago by Scott Kemble Wilson (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
The business is not an entity, so it is community property in WA . Sue "John Smith and Mary Smith, husband and wife, and their marital community, Defendants." If this is a commercial property, then the owner gets to double the rent starting on the 4th day after serving a 3-day notice to pay or vacate. See RCW 59.12.170. If the tenant has already vacated, then the double rent does not apply.... Read More
The business is not an entity, so it is community property in WA . Sue "John Smith and Mary Smith, husband and wife, and their marital community,... Read More

Can I make them pay my deductible after I was displaced from my apartment due to a butane explosion above me?

Answered 12 years and 3 months ago by Wayne J Wimer (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
The butane explosion sounds like a "hash oil" cooking incident so prevalent these days. The apartment owners did nothing wrong. Whoever was cooking the hash oil caused the problem. Sue them in small claims court for your deductible.
The butane explosion sounds like a "hash oil" cooking incident so prevalent these days. The apartment owners did nothing wrong. Whoever was cooking... Read More

If they answer the lawsuit does it have to be on legal paperwork and does the defendant have to answer the lawsuit using legal forms?

Answered 12 years and 3 months ago by Scott Kemble Wilson (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer
In the type of case you describe there is no requirement that the Answer to the Complaint be in any special form or use approved or mandatory court forms. A piece of paper with the case name and case number on it and some reference to being an answer will suffice. So this means you can't proceed to get a default order - if an Answer has been filed.... Read More
In the type of case you describe there is no requirement that the Answer to the Complaint be in any special form or use approved or mandatory court... Read More

How can HOA covenants become non-enforcable aside from state and federal violations?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by John F Brennan (Unclaimed Profile)   |   2 Answers
I would need more details but I would think that such would be the starting point.
I would need more details but I would think that such would be the starting point.

Do I need to put the non-renewal of lease in writing or can I verbally tell them?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by Mark T. Peters, Sr. (Unclaimed Profile)   |   5 Answers
"I will not be renting the room after November 30. Sincerely." You should have given the notice before November 1, so there is a possibility that you could owe for December, but it may not be worth it to them to worry about it.
"I will not be renting the room after November 30. Sincerely." You should have given the notice before November 1, so there is a possibility that... Read More

Can I have my landlord reimburse what I spent while I was displaced?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by James T Weiner (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers
Yes you have recourse...you can sue him for your losses however that is really what renters insurance is for. Do you have renters insurance? If so make a claim.
Yes you have recourse...you can sue him for your losses however that is really what renters insurance is for. Do you have renters insurance? If so... Read More

What can be the remedy for not having insurance in the past?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by Mark T. Peters, Sr. (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers
Were there any claims made for that time period? Are you the type of business where claims would be made? This may be a case of no harm, no foul. However, I suggest you talk with a local real estate attorney to go over your lease and discuss the situation. An argument can be made that the failure of the landlord to insist on insurance at the time was a waiver by the landlord and he cannot insist on it now. But an attorney can make that argument best.... Read More
Were there any claims made for that time period? Are you the type of business where claims would be made? This may be a case of no harm, no foul.... Read More

Can I be chagrge with burglary if I am currently a resident?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by John F Brennan (Unclaimed Profile)   |   2 Answers
Get an attorney and start making amends with your father. As I do not have information on the titling of the house I can only state it appears you have no rights to occupy the house and you must learn to respect that.
Get an attorney and start making amends with your father. As I do not have information on the titling of the house I can only state it appears you... Read More

Does the certificate of service of a reply to a complaint have to be signed to be valid?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by Erven T. Nelson (Unclaimed Profile)   |   5 Answers
In most states, filing an answer is sufficient to prove that service was accomplished.
In most states, filing an answer is sufficient to prove that service was accomplished.

Can my daughter get out of her lease if the place was infested with roaches?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by Erven T. Nelson (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers
Yes, there are a lot of possibilities. She could give the landlord notice that she is vacating due to fraud (in that the landlord stated that the apartment was ready for habitation when it actually was not), and demand a return of her deposit, rent payments, moving expenses, etc. She could also demand that the roach problem be remedied within two days or she will move out. She could also pay herself to have the roach problem eradicated and deduct the cost from next month?s rent payment. The risks are that the landlord might take her to court and take steps to hurt her credit.... Read More
Yes, there are a lot of possibilities. She could give the landlord notice that she is vacating due to fraud (in that the landlord stated that the... Read More

Can my daughter get out of her lease if the place was infested with roaches?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by John F Brennan (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers
You can try, and she should get an attorney assist her, or make complaints to the relevant authorities and courts if she is not released from the lease.
You can try, and she should get an attorney assist her, or make complaints to the relevant authorities and courts if she is not released from the... Read More

Can my daughter get out of her lease if the place was infested with roaches?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by Ronald Daniel Dessy (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers
Your daughter needs to give the landlord an opportunity to correct the problem first. Send the landlord a letter or email attaching pictures of the problem, keeping a copy Of the letter and pictures for your records, explaining the urgent need to address the infestation. If the landlord does not arrange for pest-control to take action within three business days, your daughter is probably safe canceling the lease.... Read More
Your daughter needs to give the landlord an opportunity to correct the problem first. Send the landlord a letter or email attaching pictures of the... Read More

Who is responsible to have the house fixed?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by John F Brennan (Unclaimed Profile)   |   3 Answers
What is your relationship? Was the property properly insured? Who received the rent? Too many questions to form an opinion except that you need to confer with an attorney before you take any position.
What is your relationship? Was the property properly insured? Who received the rent? Too many questions to form an opinion except that you need to... Read More

If I owe a landlord for back rent and the landlord sells the property, can the landlord serve eviction papers on me?

Answered 12 years and 5 months ago by Andrew D. Larson-Wille (Unclaimed Profile)   |   3 Answers
No. An eviction is simply who has right to the property. If the landlord has sold the building, he no longer has a claim on the property, and the lease would have been assigned. He can go after you for back rent, but not through an eviction process.
No. An eviction is simply who has right to the property. If the landlord has sold the building, he no longer has a claim on the property, and the... Read More
Landlord and Tenant Law
Washington

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