What Are Renters’ Rights?
Certain laws are in place to ensure that tenants are provided with a safe, secure, and clean accommodation. These are called renters’ rights. So whether you live in some of the best neighborhoods in Seattle for families, one of the best suburbs of Seattle, in affordable Seattle suburbs, or if you are living in downtown Seattle – you are entitled to this much. These laws tend to vary with jurisdiction, so what you really want to ask yourself is – What are my rights as a renter in Washington State?
Know Your Seattle Tenants Rights and Stand up for Them
First things first – you need to know your jurisdiction, as it varies from state to state and city to city. The Emerald City has better protection for its dwellers than the rest of the Washington State – figure that out first. If you are unsure if your area is located within the city limits, check King County Parcel Viewer. Once you do – know the landlord-tenant laws in Seattle and stand up for your tenant rights in Seattle.
Just Cause – Landlords Can’t Evict Tenants From Housing Units Without a Good Reason
Members of the Tenants Union fought hard to pass this one in the 70s, and thanks to them, none of today’s tenants can become homeless in Seattle if there isn’t a just cause for eviction. Even the tenants with a verbal lease agreement are protected by this law and landlords will need to provide a good reason for eviction.
Landlords Need to Give a 14 Days’ Notice Before the Eviction Even if It’s Due to Nonpayment
The Union’s efforts have really paid off, as this is quadruple the time it was previously required. So, if your landlord wants to kick you out of the apartment, he or she would need to give you a heads up 14 days before embarking on the eviction process, even if you haven’t paid rent or City of Seattle utilities. They are also required to give you options to either pay or leave, and they have to provide you with information on how to access low-cost legal help.
Your Landlord Needs to Give You at Least a 60 Days’ Notice Before Raising Your Rental Fee
Those Union members are surely doing a solid job in keeping tenants protected, so always stand up for your rights. A 60 days’ notice before raising the rental fee is twice as much as it was before and is a significant improvement to the law, passed in 2019, especially considering the rising housing prices. Also, the landlord can’t raise your rental fee if there are major repairs needed in the housing unit.
Your Landlord Also to Give You a Notice Before Entering the Apartment and Can’t Do So Without Your Permission
The owner of the property can’t just barge in on a whim. They have to give you notice first. The time frame for the notice depends on the type of visit, but unless it’s an emergency – the owner can’t get into the property without your permission or without properly notifying you.
The Property Owner Is Required to Take Care of Repairs
Yap. It’s not your job to fix anything around the house – it’s the responsibility of the person who owns the place. Yours is only to promptly and adequately request the repairs needed, and the owner should address your request.
There are even deadlines in place for how long the owner is allowed to take to fix the issue. Minor issues should be resolved within 24 hours and major ones within 72 hours. The Rental Housing Inspection controls this.
There Are Limitations to the Security Deposit Amount a Landlord Can Ask For
There are limits regarding how much landlords can ask for a deposit or other move-in charges. Total move-in charges (including the security deposit and non-refundable moving-frees) shouldn’t surpass a month’s rent. You are also allowed to pay in installments. And if you are relocating with pets, you should know that the pet deposit can go over 25% of a month’s rent.
Once You Learn the Ropes of Seattle Rental Laws – Choose a Reputable Moving Company in Seattle to Get You to Your New Home
If you want to do yourself a favor and avoid the moving stress – opt for our residential moving services and rest assured that our local movers in Seattle, Washington will safely and smoothly transport your valued possessions to your new home. You can enjoy a brewski in one of your favorite Seattle breweries and have the best burger in Seattle while Seattle Professional Movers do all the work.
If You Can’t Be Bothered With Packing – We Can Do It for You
If you can’t be bothered with learning how to pack glasses for the move or even how to pack dishes for relocation you need one of the best moving companies in Seattle WA. Contact us for our packing services and let the pros do your packing. Or if you decide to embark on the packing spree by yourself, check which items movers won’t move and what the most commonly forgotten things to pack are, to spare yourself the inconvenience.