While the process of renting can be complicated, being well-informed on Washington landlord-tenant laws can make all the difference. This can make it easier to know what your rights are, the protections in place for all parties, and how to handle sudden issues during the lease term.
We outline 11 frequently asked questions about Washington State landlord-tenant laws regarding eviction rules, security deposits, illegal actions, and more.
Here’s a list of some vital facts to know about Washington State landlord-tenant laws.
A rental agreement, also called a lease, is a contract between a renter and landlord that gives approved tenants the right to live on a property for a certain period.
There are different types of rental agreements, including month-to-month, short-term, long-term, and rent-to-own. Generally, the details (or “clauses”) in a rental agreement vary depending on the landlord, tenant, and state laws.
Here are some of the clauses that Washington State landlords should include in their rental agreements:
While it’s always a good idea to have a written rental agreement, it’s not always mandatory. Washington State only requires a lease to be in writing when the term is 12 months or longer or when the landlord charges a security deposit or non-refundable fee.
If you need a lease agreement for your rental property, you can use Avail to access lawyer-reviewed, state-specific lease agreements for free. Our system automatically includes all the locally-required clauses and attachments based on the rental property’s address, making it easier to create an enforceable agreement.
This depends on the landlord, but it’s common for tenants to have to pay a security deposit. This required fee protects landlords against damage to the unit (outside of normal wear and tear) and helps them cushion the financial blow if the tenant decides to vacate without paying their rent. However, they are required to return the full security deposit if that’s not the case.
There’s no stationary limit to the deposit, but the amount generally equals one month’s rent. The security deposit amount depends on several factors, such as location, credit score, quality of the rental property, and rental type.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver is $1,300, so some landlords can charge around the same amount for their security deposit.
A condition check-in list describes the condition and furnishings of a unit. This document is significant for both the landlord and the tenant since it can outline preexisting property damage and maintenance that needs to be addressed
With it, it’ll be clear what damage existed before the tenant moved in and what (if any) they caused during the lease term.
The landlord should provide the check-in list when handing over the keys, and both parties are required to sign. Once signed, both should get copies of this checklist for future reference.
There have been recent changes made to how tenants can pay rent in Washington. Previously, landlords were allowed to require tenants to pay rent electronically, but this is no longer the case.
As of June 2022, landlords cannot require tenants to pay their rent electronically through a website or mobile app — unless one of their rent checks bounced within the last nine months.
As such, landlords are legally required to accept the following payment methods:
A landlord can provide an accessible location for the tenant to pay their rent, such as a drop box. If they don’t do this, they must accept rent paid via mail.
However, if electronic payments are more manageable, tenants may still choose to pay electronically. Remember, landlords can’t require tenants to pay electronically, but if both parties agree, it’s still a viable option.
With a rent collection app like Avail, you can simplify both the rent collection process and other landlord responsibilities, such as property accounting, and even ongoing rent price analysis and reporting. You can create an account for free or upgrade to Unlimited Plus to access waived ACH fees, lease cloning, and more.
