For several years, Seattle landlords have been required to provide tenants with information about laws that protect their rights as tenants and other information. The Seattle Department of Construction & Inspection (SDCI) has released a completely revised version of this document, now called the Tenant`s Handbook. The manual covers the rental cycle, from finding housing to moving, and explains the regulations as they apply during the process. On the back of the manual is a useful index as well as the voter registration form required by the Lease Ordinance. The new manual also includes tips and best practices to improve the rental relationship. According to current regulations, the manual must be made available to tenants as follows (a digital copy is acceptable unless otherwise stated): Whenever there is a verbal or written lease, the laws of the State of Washington (Revised Code of Washington Chapter 59.18) give tenants certain rights such as the right to receipts for each payment and the right to know, where and how the deposit is kept. State and local laws govern condominium conversions in the city of Seattle. State law gives tenants 120 days` notice of condominium conversions and gives tenants the right to refuse the first refusal. Seattle also has a relocation requirement for condominium conversions and requires landlords to notify tenants in writing of relocation assistance with 120 days` notice. Households earning less than 80% of the region`s median income are eligible for resettlement assistance if they choose not to buy anything or to stay and stay in their homes.
Eligible households receive the equivalent of three months` rent as resettlement assistance. Elderly tenants or persons with disabilities may receive additional funding to cover relocation costs. The developer must pay this relocation assistance no later than the date the tenants vacate the units. Washington`s small claims courts will hear many types of landlord-tenant disputes worth more than $250 but less than $5,000. However, these courts do not hear cases of expulsion. In addition, Washington allows individual counties to increase or decrease the above registration limits. The relationship between landlords and tenants is governed by the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. In some jurisdictions, local authorities have enacted stricter laws to address issues that directly affect the local community. Seattle, in particular, has a variety of laws that are different from state laws.
Although some laws are contested, they remain the law of the city. The City of Seattle has specific rental housing regulations that must be followed. We have provided guidelines to help you comply, as well as resources for questions that may arise. Seattle`s noise laws are enforced by the Seattle Police Department. Seattle`s laws regulate „housing disturbances” and „unreasonable noise” within city limits. For more information, see Seattle Police Department: Noise Avoidance. You can call Seattle`s non-emergency police number at 206-625-5011 to report noise-related violations, but it can be very difficult to respond to police, especially on weekend nights. In general, the police only issue a verbal warning to the household that makes too much noise, but they can make a disturbance of the dwelling a criminal offence after repeated offences. You can also charge a fine or contact the landlord after more than one violation.
To comply with the requirement to provide the „Whenever the City makes updates” document, you can send your tenants the following link: www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/RentingInSeattle/languages/English/RentersHandbook_English.pdf The State has approved a Comprehensive Reusable Tenant Selection Report (RSSRC). An RSRB is a tenant screening report that can be used an unlimited number of times in a 30-day period. It is intended to limit the cost of multiple application fees for an applicant in different municipalities. The City of Seattle maintains a lease ordinance requiring landlords to give 60 days` notice before a rent increase of 10% or more. This regulation also limits the amount and value of certain fees collected from owners. More information is available here. „Short-term rental operator” means any person who owns or is the rightful lessee of an entity provided on a short-term rental basis. The Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance was passed in 1990 and requires landlords to pay relocation funds to low-income tenants in Seattle who are evicted from their homes due to apartment demolitions, major redevelopment, change of use, or lifting of subsidized housing restrictions.
Tenants are entitled to 90 days` notice before being required to vacate for any of these purposes. The landlord must obtain permits to perform any of the actions listed above and must first apply for tenant moving permits for affected residents. Landlords who do not apply for a resettlement permit cannot bring eviction action against tenants. Renters are eligible for resettlement allowances if their family income is less than 50% of the median income in the area. The amount of resettlement assistance changes from time to time, but can be as high as $3,000. The owner pays half and the city half. Seattle requires 30 days in advance for rent increases of less than 10% and 60 days in advance for rent increases of more than 10%. All completed applications must include the date and time the completed application was received by the housing provider. If an applicant requests more time because of limited English proficiency or disability, the time and date the request for additional time is made is the time and date of the completed application. Conduct an annual inspection of every home in your community to identify potential life safety issues.
Seattle`s Housing and Construction and Maintenance Codes prohibit Seattle landlords from preventing or discriminating against tenants who organize in their buildings. Organizational activities include distributing and posting flyers and information to your neighbours and in public places, connecting with and inviting your neighbours to participate, and holding meetings attended by management or the owner`s representatives in the building. If the landlord takes inappropriate negative action against a tenant who has participated in any of these organizational activities, this is automatically considered retaliation and is illegal.