Do you know that approximately 50 percent of the residents in Seattle are living in rented homes? In other words, it doesn’t matter whether they are living in two-story houses, luxury penthouses, or in an affordable apartment in Downtown Seattle, they are all paying rent instead of owning. The convenience and comfort of renting an apartment in Downtown Seattle might encourage more people to make similar decisions.
It is important to note that all tenants in Seattle and all over the country are entitled to live in a safe, clean, and secure environment. Several laws have been introduced to make sure that rental meets essential standards. You can easily learn about all these laws before renting an apartment in Downtown Seattle by reaching out to us.
However, if you are someone who recently moved into Seattle and wants to rent an apartment in Downtown Seattle, then we are here to make things easier for you. Here are some of the most important rights that every renter in Seattle should know before purchasing a property.
Rules That Are Not Included In The Lease Are Unenforceable
Renters in Seattle need to understand that landlords will not be able to enforce rules, which are not included with the lease. In fact, landlords will be able to make changes to the lease only when you agree to the changes. It is best to thoroughly go through the lease agreement and take a close look at the proposed changes before signing the agreement.
It is also crucial for apartment renters to ensure that everything in the agreement looks standard. If the lease mentions anything about the renter waving his or her rights to any of the renter protection ordinances in Seattle, then it can be a red flag.
Landlords Cannot Evict You Without Any Proper Cause
Individuals who have rented an apartment in Downtown Seattle with a verbal lease agreement or month to month lease will be protected under the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. As per the ordinance, landlords or property managers will need to give a city-approved reason if they want to end a lease.
Some of the common city-approved reasons for ending a lease include not complying with the agreements of the lease and not paying the rent. If you sign a lease agreement, where you agreed to stay quiet after midnight, then you should not turn up the music or make loud noises that may disturb someone.
If you violate the agreements of your lease agreement, then the landlord or property manager has the right to end the lease agreement. Situations like this are less likely to happen if you comply with the lease agreement, which you signed when you rented an apartment in Downtown Seattle.
Here are a few other crucial rights that all renters in Seattle will be able to exercise without any worries.
- Your property manager or landlord has to give you a minimum 60 days’ notice before increasing the rent by over ten percent
- Your landlord or property manager must give you a 14 days’ notice before evicting you for not paying the rent
- If you are unable to afford the cost of moving out of the apartment, then you are eligible for receiving funds
- Several rules have been introduced to ensure that the property manager or landlord takes care of the repairs
- Landlords and property managers do not have the right to enter your apartment without giving notice or getting your permission
- There are strict deadlines for landlords to give the deposit back to renters
- Property managers will not be able to retaliate against renters for bringing up their rights
