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 an attached garage.  The law is also unclear as to the number of detectors required.  The safest bet is to install them per new construction requirements.  It is better to have too many than not enough!  We also recommend detectors that are attached rather than plug in monitors as the plug in variety tend to disappear.

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 day a tenant is without his/her personal property if a landlord illegally removes a tenant’s property. If a landlord disposes of the tenant’s property without due process, the landlord could also owe the tenant the stated value of the belongings.

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 day a tenant is without his/her personal property if a landlord illegally removes a tenant’s property.  If a landlord disposes of the tenant’s property without due process, the landlord could also owe the tenant the stated value of the belongings. Know the law!

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 condition.

2.      72 hours repair a refrigerator, range or oven, or major plumbing fixture supplied by the landlord.

3.      10 days in all other cases.

If the landlord cannot meet these timelines because of circumstances beyond his or her control, the repairs must still be completed as soon as possible.  If the landlord cannot make repairs within the timelines the tenant may be due a pro-rated refund of rent, or in some instances, may have the right to terminate the lease.

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 condition.

2. 72 hours repair a refrigerator, range or oven, or major plumbing fixture supplied by the landlord.

3. 10 days in all other cases.

If the landlord cannot meet these timelines because of circumstances beyond his or her control, the repairs must still be completed as soon as possible. If the landlord cannot make repairs within the timelines the tenant may be due a pro-rated refund of rent, or in some instances, may have the right to terminate the lease.

We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of rental laws.

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 condition.

2. 72 hours repair a refrigerator, range or oven, or major plumbing fixture supplied by the landlord.

3. 10 days in all other cases.

If the landlord cannot meet these timelines because of circumstances beyond his or her control, the repairs must still be completed as soon as possible. If the landlord cannot make repairs within the timelines the tenant may be due a pro-rated refund of rent, or in some instances, may have the right to terminate the lease.

We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of rental laws.

http://mynorthwest.com/859/2066880/Lessons-for-Landlords

Great advice for landlords!