What Are Renters’ Rights In Washington State

, you have many laws that protect you. However, most tenants do not know their rights. Being fully informed about your rights as a tenant will protect you from being taken advantage of by bad landlords. This information will give you the power to stand and fight for yourself if you feel you are being discriminated against.

If you rent a living space, you have many rights as a tenant, most of which you may not be aware of. These rights govern your living space, how you utilize it, and the responsibilities of your landlord. While it is not possible to by yourself, DoNotPay can help you get all the information you need with just a few clicks.

In addition to educating you on your rights, DoNotPay can also guide you on how to sue your landlord for a deposit, help you evict your roommate, guide you on what to do when your landlord threatens to evict you, and show you how to write a letter to your landlord about repairs.

What Are My Rights as a Tenant in Washington State?

, in simple terms, the most common laws that impact you as a tenant in Washington State.

Before you move in

Before you rent a living space in Washington, you are expected to do the following:

Do not be in a rush

Take all the time you need to go through your lease and make sure you understand everything before signing. Do not shy away from asking questions. Also, pay close attention to hidden charges and various forms of penalties.

If you come across anything important, put it in writing

Verbal promises are not legally binding. Anything that you discuss and agree with your landlord should be included in your lease before signing it.

Establish who pays for trash disposal, snow removal, hot water, and electricity

Find out if they are separate from your rent.

Make sure all utilities are in good working order before you move in.

The following are other important tips for tenants:

Do not fail to pay rent if the landlord is not doing repairs. Doing this will make you vulnerable to evictions.
Keep a record of the condition of your unit when you move in and out. This will help you defend yourself against false damage charges.
Your landlord can only enforce the laws written on your lease.
If you are a survivor of domestic violence, you are entitled to more protection under the law.
You also have the right to privacy. Your landlord or caretaker cannot come to your house as they please unless it is an emergency. Except in the case of an emergency, your landlord must give you a 48-hour notice before they enter your premises.

Washington Security Deposit Laws

Almost all residential units in Washington will require you to make a security deposit before you move in. In most cases, this is usually a month's rent, which is supposed to be used to cover damages when you move out. Here is what you should know about the use and return of security deposits in Washington:

1. In Washington state, there is no cap on how much security deposit a landlord can charge you. However, it is important to check with your city or county laws to confirm whether a cap has been set.

2. The state controls how the landlord collects deposits. Landlords are required to allow the tenants to pay the security deposits in installments.

The law also requires landlords to refund the security deposit within 21 days after the tenant vacates the premises.

3. The landlord is also legally expected to disclose, in the lease, the conditions under which they may withhold part or the entire deposit. They must also give you a receipt with the name and the location of the financial institution withholding your security deposit.

4. All non-refundable fees must be indicated in the lease.

5. For more information on Washington laws on security deposits, or if you want to write your landlord a letter citing the applicable laws and the relevant statutes, you can read Washington Revised Code Annotated 59.18.260 to 59.18.285. To view your state law, visit the Library of Congress's legal research site.

Next Steps If You Cannot Learn All Your Rights as a Renter by Yourself

As mentioned, it is practically impossible to learn all your rights as a renter, unless you are studying for an exam. However, you can rest and let DoNotPay help you with this.

DoNotPay is here to guide you through it and file your disputes on your behalf. Our Landlord Protection product can help you:

Get back your security deposits
Learn about your state's eviction laws and what protections apply in your case
Resolve disputes regarding repairs with your landlord
Resolve disputes with roommates by filing demand letters or going through small claims court
Break your lease early

How to break a lease in Washington using DoNotPay:

If you want to break a lease in Washington but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 4 easy steps:

Search for and open the Landlord Protection product on DoNotPay.
Select which issue applies to you.
Answer a simple set of questions so our chatbot can collect the necessary information to create your demand letter.
Choose whether you want DoNotPay to send the demand letter to your landlord or roommate on your behalf. If you already tried sending a demand letter and it didn't work, we can help you start the small claims court process.