Nationally, single-family rentals (detached homes or townhomes) are developing faster than any other portion of the housing market.  These rentals outpace both single-family home purchases and apartment rentals.  Locally, nearly half of all Seattleites are renters.

Between 2006 and 2016, according to census data analysis by Rentcafé, renter share in Seattle increased by 13.6 percent, while ownership share decreased by 10.1 percent.  As of 2016, 48.5 percent of Seattle residents were renters. “And with 12,000 new homes entering the Seattle market in 2017—and none of them being condos—we seem poised to be a renter-majority city sooner rather than later.”

We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of the rental market. Please contact us for further assistance!

Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should not rely solely on this information. We encourage our clients to work with a lawyer experienced in commercial and/or residential real estate matters as they can be complicated and confusing.

Frozen pipes can occur even in occupied properties.  Here are some tips for prevention:

Locate the main water shut off before a broken pipe occurs. 

Disconnect all hoses; if the water freezes in the hose, it can break the spigot. 

Most new spigots have a shut off valve inside the house or garage; shut off any spigots with this feature.

Put spigot covers on all outside faucets.

Make sure that there is some heat on in the house at all times, including when no one is home.

Keep the garage door closed so any heat will be kept inside.

If the temperature drops below 20° during the day, let water trickle in all the faucets.

In periods of extreme cold, leave cupboard doors open under sinks on exterior walls so the heat will get to the pipes.

If none of the foregoing works, sell your house and move to Florida! 🙂

Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should not rely solely on this information. We encourage our clients to work with a lawyer experienced in commercial and/or residential real estate matters as they can be complicated and confusing.

Senate Bill 5600 would include some significant changes to Residential Landlord Tenant Act.  The potential changes would:

Change the pay rent or vacate notice from 3 days to 14.

Remove the option of a set term lease that expires at the end of term; a notice to vacate would always be required. 

Require a 60-day notice for all rent increases.

Allow a tenant to cure any judgment for non-payment within five court days by paying the principal amount of the judgment. This would reinstate their tenancy.

Increase the penalty for a landlord deliberately including prohibited provisions in a rental agreement from $500 to one month’s rent or treble damages, whichever is greater.  

Require landlords to provide estimates or invoices for charges for damages in deposit accountings.

THIS IS NOT THE COMPLETE LIST!!!

We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of the rental market. Please contact us for further assistance!

Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should not rely solely on this information. We encourage our clients to work with a lawyer experienced in commercial and/or residential real estate matters as they can be complicated and confusing.

Starting in the 1920s, many neighborhood covenants throughout the region allowed only white people to rent or own property. Fair housing laws made these covenants unenforceable in the 1960s, but a new state law allows owners to strike the them from property deeds.  As of January 1, a new law allows owners to file a request with the county auditor striking the discriminatory language from the deed. There’s no fee to file a “restrictive covenant modification” document, which legally strikes the provisions from the deed, although it does not physically erase the words.

We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of the rental market. Please contact us for further assistance!

Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should not rely solely on this information. We encourage our clients to work with a lawyer experienced in commercial and/or residential real estate matters as they can be complicated and confusing.

 

Landlords and HOA boards must consider Fair Housing laws when considering what, if any, holiday displays they will permit in their communities.  A U.S. district court recently awarded a family $75,000 when the homeowner’s association prohibited a charitable event that would include decorating the home with approximately 200,000 lights, a live nativity with a camel, live music, hot chocolate, photos with Santa, and portable restrooms.  The judge cited the HOA president’s remarks, “I am somewhat hesitant in bringing up the fact that some of our residents are non-Christians or of another faith and I don’t even want to think of the problems that could bring up.”  Using religion as a reason turned this into a Fair Housing complaint.

We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of the rental market. Please contact us for further assistance!

Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should not rely solely on this information. We encourage our clients to work with a lawyer experienced in commercial and/or residential real estate matters as they can be complicated and confusing.

The City of Tacoma has passed an ordinance regarding rentals. The new “Rental Housing Code” goes into effect February 1, 2019. 

The code: 

• Increases the number of days a landlord must give a tenant before terminating a tenancy;
• Requires a 60-day notice before raising rent;
• Depending on the length of the lease, allows tenants to pay deposits and last month’s rent in installments;
• Requires landlords to pay tenant relocation assistance in certain circumstances; and
• Requires landlords to provide tenants with specific information – which has not yet been created by the city.

There are stiff penalties for violations, including possible $500/day penalties.

We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of the rental market. Please contact us for further assistance!

There are no warranties, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose, made with respect to this communication.Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should obtain the advice of an attorney well versed in these matters.

Hoarding is officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a mental disorder.  The Federal Fair Housing Act says that equal housing must be given to persons who are a member of a protected class, such as for those with a disability.  This, in turn, means that landlords must make,“reasonable accommodations” for a hoarder.  Landlords must also take action in situations where a tenant’s behavior may adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of other tenants.  Contacting an attorney well versed in Fair Housing laws would be prudent.  The health department may also be able to offer assistance.                                                                               

We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of the rental market. Please contact us for further assistance!    

Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should not rely solely on this information. We encourage our clients to work with a lawyer experienced in commercial and/or residential real estate matters as they can be complicated and confusing.