Tenants Rights in Seattle
The fact you don't own your home doesn't mean your landlord holds all the cards. Seattle tenants have rights guaranteed by city, state and federal law relating to the condition of your apartment, the possibility of eviction and limits on rent increases. If you know what your rights are, you'll be in a better position to defend them.
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Significance
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If your landlord discriminates against you, that violates Washington law, the city government states. Washington state bans discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, handicap, having children, marital status and mental or sensory disability. Discrimination can include not only refusing to rent to you but charging a higher rent or larger damage deposit or only doing background checks on minority tenants.
Features
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The city government states that Seattle rentals must have clean, safe, secure living conditions. The landlord's obligations include pest control; keeping your rental weatherproof; keeping the electricity, heating, air-conditioning and plumbing in working order; and providing enough garbage containers for the residents to use. Landlords aren't required to make cosmetic repairs, such as a new coat of paint.
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Prevention/Solution
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If the condition of the apartment isn't livable and the landlord won't make repairs, you have the right to make them yourself or hire someone, according to the Tenants Union of Washington State. Write to your landlord stating the problem---a certified letter is a good way to prove he received the message---and estimating the cost. The landlord has 10 days, at most, to start repairs. If he doesn't, you can either do the work yourself or hire someone and deduct the cost out of your rent. You must follow legal procedure exactly or your landlord can evict you for not paying the rent.
Considerations
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A Seattle landlord can't evict tenants without just cause, the city states. Valid reasons include damaging the unit; criminal activity on the premises; violating the terms of the lease; repeated overdue rent; or nonpayment of rent. In most cases, you'll have time to correct the problem. You have 10 days to fix a lease violation before the landlord can throw you out, and three days to pay after the landlord gives you a pay-up-or-go demand for rent.
Protection
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Seattle law also protects you if the landlord tries harassing you into leaving, for example by removing the door, changing the locks, shutting off the utilities or moving you out without going through a court eviction process. If anything like this happens, you have the right to contact the police for help.
Time Frame
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Seattle tenants are entitled to 60 days notice when their rental costs go up more than 10 percent, the Tenants Union states. This includes not only individual increases but if several increases over the course of a year add up to 10 percent. Tenants who aren't notified can legally refuse to pay.
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