If you’ve rented out a home in Bellevue for any amount of time, you know that the rental laws are detailed and strict. They’re also always changing.
Washington State has some serious tenant protections in place, and it’s easy to feel like you’re at risk of making an expensive legal mistake. Those mistakes, unfortunately, are easy to make. It’s important that you educate yourself on the laws before you begin renting out a home. Smart investors understand the importance of staying up to date on all the legal requirements.
Here are some of the most urgent things you need to know.
Evictions in Bellevue and Notice Requirements
There are specific timelines and legal requirements that rental property owners need to follow closely when you are beginning an eviction.
According to Washington law, the eviction process must start with a 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate. There are no grace periods mandated in Bellevue. If your rent is not paid on the day it is due, you can serve the notice on the second day.
Tenants will have those 14 days to pay the rent in full. You are not required to accept partial rental payments. However, if rent is paid in full within this time period, you do need to accept it and cancel the eviction. When you state the amount of rent that is owed in your 14-Day Notice, you should not include any additional late fees.
When the notice period passes, if the tenant has not paid rent yet, you can file an eviction lawsuit, which starts with a Summons & Complaint.
Security Deposits and Bellevue Rental Homes
Security deposit law in Washington requires that you return the tenant’s security deposit within 21 days of the tenant moving out. If the tenant isn’t receiving a full deposit refund, you should send the amount that they are getting back with an itemized list of what you’ve deducted and why.
Be specific and include receipts, invoices, and other documentation to support what you’ve charged. You don’t want to invite a dispute.
Remember that you can deduct for unpaid rent, property damage, and cleaning costs that are listed in your lease agreement. But, you cannot deduct for normal wear and tear.
Fair Housing Laws
It’s essential that you understand fair housing. The Washington State Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing fair housing laws at a state level. The laws here follow the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on seven protected classes; race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, or national origin. The Commission has a cooperative agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to process and investigate dual-filed housing complaints for which the Commission receives funding under the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP).
Make sure your marketing is free of language that might be discriminatory. Screen all tenants consistently and within the framework of your qualifying rental criteria. And, understand the difference between a pet, a service animal, and a companion animal. Be sure your multi-family properties are up to code when it comes to accommodations and accessibility.
These are only a few of the laws you need to know and know well. If you’d like to learn more and ensure you’re in compliance, a Bellevue property management partner can be a valuable resource. Please contact us at Real Estate Gladiators, and we’d be happy to help. We serve Monroe, Issaquah, Bellevue, Everett, Lake Stevens, Kirkland, and other cities in and around King and Snohomish counties in Washington State.
