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Uncategorized FIRE INSURANCE & THE TENANT Fire is no fun!
Uncategorized HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Did you know... single-family rental homes is the fastest growing housing option in America A recent National Survey of Renters by the Opinion Research Corporation* found that single-family rental homes is the fastest growing housing option in America?  The survey found that 52% of all rental buildings in America are single-family homes, housing 27% of all renters.  The survey also discovered that half of all renters (52%), including 60% of single family […]
Uncategorized Section 8 – Kirkland, Washington The city of Kirkland has passed a regulation making participation in the Section 8 program a protected class.  The regulation is in effect as of March 25, 2013. Tenants in the Section 8 program cannot be denied housing just because they have a Housing Choice Voucher in the cities of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Renton, and […]
Uncategorized Rental Homes – The new normal? A recent National Survey of Renters by the Opinion Research Corporation* found that single-family rental homes is the fastest growing housing option in America?  The survey found that 52% of all rental buildings in America are single-family homes, housing 27% of all renters. The survey also discovered that half of all renters (52%), including 60% of single family […]
Uncategorized Mobile Homes in Washington Landlords and tenants of mobile home lot rentals are subject to the rules of the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act. (RCW 59.20) It’s a separate act and has some significant differences. For instance, on a residential lease the tenant must be given three days to pay past due rent after being given an eviction notice. In […]
Uncategorized Mobile Homes in Washington Landlords and tenants of mobile home lot rentals are subject to the rules of the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act. (RCW 59.20) It’s a separate act and has some significant differences. For instance, on a residential lease the tenant must be given three days to pay past due rent after being given an eviction notice. In […]
Uncategorized PAY ATTENTION! If a Fair Housing complaint is filed alleging that a prospective tenant was discriminated against, the burden of proof is on the landlord to show that the same criteria were used for all applicants?  The story below conveys the importance of careful and detailed records. ” We had an applicant we did NOT turn down because […]
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Uncategorized Section 8 Housing The city of Kirkland is considering making participation in the Section 8 program a protected class?  In the cities of Seattle, Bellevue and Renton, and unincorporated King County, fair housing laws already protect those who participate in the Section 8 program from being denied housing just because they have a Housing Choice Voucher. What are […]
Uncategorized Count the days! Just as in Washington State Purchase and Sales Agreements, days are counted differently in rental agreements?  Here are the most common examples: 3 Day Pay Rent or Vacate Notice – the day the notice is delivered isn’t counted, nor are weekends and holidays.  (If the notice is served on Thursday, Friday is day one, Monday […]
Uncategorized Changing the lease terms A landlord cannot legally change the rules of tenancy in the middle of a lease?  During the lease, terms and conditions may only be changed by mutual agreement of the landlord and tenant. At the end of the lease or in a month-to-month rental agreement, the landlord can change the rules – including a rent […]
Uncategorized Lease Termination A lease or rental agreement may be terminated before the end of the agreement for a variety of reasons, including not paying rent, seriously damaging the property (waste), seriously interfering with the rights of other tenants (nuisance), conducting an illegal business on the property, or violating an important rule or regulation.   In all instances proper […]
Uncategorized Happy New Year!
Uncategorized Carbon Monoxide Detectors The Washington State Building Code Council, RCW 19.27.530 requires that CO alarms be installed in non-owner occupied, existing dwelling units by January 1, 2013. The language of the regulation is unclear but many experts interpret it to mean that all rentals must have a CO detector whether or not there are fuel burning appliances or […]
Uncategorized A twenty day notice to vacate doesn’t necessarily mean that the tenant has to be out in twenty days? Notice can’t be given at any point of the month requiring the tenant to vacate in 20 calendar days – if rent is due on the first, notice cannot be given on the 15th for the tenant to […]
Uncategorized 20 day notice to vacate
Uncategorized Removing tenant’s personal property… That state law specifies the procedure that must be followed before a landlord can remove or dispose of any personal property a tenant leaves behind? It is illegal to include a clause in the lease that that waives or shortens this process. A judge can award a tenant up to $500 per day for every […]
Uncategorized What happens to the personal belongings of a tenant? Washington state law specifies the procedure that must be followed before a landlord can remove or dispose of any personal property a tenant leaves behind?  It is illegal to include a clause in the lease that that waives or shortens this process.   A judge can award a tenant up to $500 per day for every […]
Uncategorized Maintenance Timelines That state law specifies how soon repairs must be started in a rental?  The landlord must “commence remedial action” as soon as possible after receiving written notice of a problem; this shall be no later than the following: 1.      24 hours to restore heat, hot or cold water, electricity, or to fix a very hazardous […]
Uncategorized Rental properties and repair issues Washington state law specifies how soon repairs must be started in a rental? The landlord must “commence remedial action” as soon as possible after receiving written notice of a problem; this shall be no later than the following: 1. 24 hours to restore heat, hot or cold water, electricity, or to fix a very hazardous […]