Sometimes landlords try to assert their own rules, which go against the rights of tenants laid out in the Washington State Legislature’s Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18). Here are a few things some landlords will do or threaten to do to their tenants, yet they are not legal:
Illegal!
Retaliation: It is considered retaliation if your landlord takes certain actions after you have contacted a governmental entity to make a complaint about a code violation in your unit, or for asserting your rights as a tenant under the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (code sections RCW 59.18.240 and RCW 59.18.250). These actions include but are not limited to: eviction, increasing the rent amount or your obligations as a tenant, reducing services, and refusing to carry out his/her duties as a landlord. It is presumed to be retaliation if these actions are taken within 90 days after a tenant has filed a complaint or attempted to enforce his rights under the RLTA.
Lockouts: Locking a tenant out without a court order to evict a tenant is illegal. A landlord cannot change the lock on a tenant, even if a tenant is behind in rent. The landlord has to go through the eviction process legally. If you are locked out, you can call the police and file a lawsuit. Again, being behind in rent or failing to fulfill your duties as a tenant does not mean your landlord has the right to lock you out.
Utility Shut-Offs: A landlord may not shut off utilities or intentionally leave bills unpaid. Some landlords may exercise this illegal procedure to try and ‘force’ the tenant to move out. It can be difficult for a tenant to get the utilities back on – especially if the bill is under the landlord’s name and the tenant receives a third-party bill, or if the landlord is responsible for utilities and they stop paying. If this happens, you can call your local code enforcement agency and have an inspector come out to inspect your unit. Having no running water, heat or electricity can be a code violation, and your local code enforcement agency may fine your landlord and/or make them fix the problem. You may also attempt to communicate with the utility company to explain the circumstances. Another option is to contact the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission which regulates many utility companies and assures the safety and pricing of services. Utility shut-offs are addressed in RCW 59.18.300, which also specifies how a landlord is held liable for each day a tenant’s utilities are shut off.
Taking/selling the tenant’s property: In most circumstances, if someone walks into your home and takes your property, it is considered stealing. The same rule applies to your landlord. Taking and selling a tenant’s property to make up for what they owe in rent is not legal. If a tenant has left property behind in a unit they no longer live in, the law specifies what the landlord is required to do with the property. A tenant can take their landlord to court for damages if their property was taken.
If you have questions or need more information, please take a look at our Tenant Services website or call Solid Ground’s message-only Tenant Hotline at 206.694.6767. (The message line is answered Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.)
Legal disclaimer: The information contained in this post or linked to the Solid Ground Tenant Services website is for informational purposes only. Solid Ground makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to its website. Solid Ground cannot act as your attorney. Solid Ground makes no representations, expressed or implied, that the information contained in or linked to its website can or will be used or interpreted in any particular way by any governmental agency or court. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.
Emily Lesnak says
Hello,
My landlord is requiring us to keep the temperature at 68 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. We live in the upstairs portion of the house and the mother-in-law basement portion does not have a thermostat. Does the landlord have the right to do this even if we are paying for the heat?
Thanks!
Edlira says
Hi Emily,
Please feel free to call us at 206.694.6767 between 10:30AM-4:30PM M, W and F and a tenant counselor would be happy to discuss your situation in detail with you and see how we can help. We are unable to answer specific questions on the blog as it is intended for general information only, but again we would be happy to discuss your specific questions by phone.
Thanks!
Linda says
Call…..Linda……..
…….702.624.5183
……Yr…#…..
Mike Buchman says
Please call our Tenant Services message-only line (206.694.6767) with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Sharon says
We my husband and i are renting a room from a old school mate we’ve know forever and told him we are moving out in the 3rd of the month coming up “via” text message and he said no the 1st and i said no the 3rd because that’s when my husband gets paid he’s on disability and i have a rent recipet we all 3 signed am i ok or should i worry because his landlord doesn’t know we are here he never told the landlord so he says that to us. We rent a room .
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Sharon, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PT.)
Kim Bell says
If we stay in a room in someones house in went to stay somewhere for a week but even in n out of their room and still staying there with a lock on door they aloud to break lock off door and enter our room n empty out of my room what r they aloud to do
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Kim, unfortunately we cannot respond to tenant questions via the blog, but Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors can provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law via phone. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line at 206.694.6767 during open hours (M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PT) with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible.
Rebecca Baldenegro says
Hello i pay my rent and my landlord sold his property two another company i always pay my rent and i work i don’t bother anyone the next door neighbor always harassed me when she is not the landlord and now i am facing eviction for disturbing the peace i don’t understand how when i stay to my self this is unbelievable that i am facing this with my family
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hello Rebecca, we’re sorry to hear about your situation. While we cannot respond to tenant questions via the blog, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors can provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law via phone. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line at 206.694.6767 during open hours (M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PT) with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible.
tanisha jones says
Hi I am currently having issues with the person I rent a space from. He miss lead me offering to rent me a roon for $450 well when I got there & seen the room it was horrible. So he gsd me in the living room on the couch saying he wss giing to get the ropm ready when really his plan was to rent it to someone else and now me & my son r living in a living room 4$300. He rents the room out doesnt hold up his end they wanna move he keeps the $ rents it out again and moves me in the laundry room. Im wanting to take serouis actions against him. How do I do tha?
Sarah Coffey says
Hi Tanisha, it sounds like you have a lot going on! We would be happy to talk with you and provide some information about your rights as a tenant, rental agreements, and landlord/tenant responsibilities. Give us a call at our Tenant Services Line (206.694.6767) on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday between the hours of 10:30am and 4:30pm. In the meantime there is also a lot of information on our website: http://www.solid-ground.org/Tenant. Look forward to talking with you!
Janey Allen says
My landlord locked me out and changed locks while I went to bank to get rent! I’ve had to spend my rent on motels, clothes, food and necessity. She is out of town now and every day I try to retrieve my things! Not having any progress?!!
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Janey, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PST.)
Chris says
Would you guys be the people I would contact if my technical landlord was reporting me to the CPS and animal control authority and escalating in order to get me to move, regarding them breaking the law? I am trying to actually file a report.
It’s complicated, but he does qualify as a landlord, and he has not tried to file an eviction notice. He is just trying to pressure us and bully us by other means.
I’m trying to contact the proper authorities to report him for what I believe violates :
RCW 59.18.240
Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Prohibited.
And am curious which agency I would go to in order to make such a report.
Chris says
We have texts showing he had told us when he was mad out by Feb 1st or he would file CPS complaints. In a recent verbal fight I reported to the police he on January 14th said it again and I said no, because we had talked before about staying until my USDA loan was approved and completed, this is just him throwing tantrums, and his wording was very particular. When I said no he said “Then you must not want your kids”.
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Chris, yes, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law. Please call our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PST.)
Jayme Ancelet says
I’m having the same exact problem. And the messed up part about it is we are in a global pandemic right now and my landlord has locked me out of the house twice within the past month and a half without any kind of notice and has threatened to pay someone to take my stuff off of the street after she puts it outside I text call contact her in every way that I can and I get absolutely no response the second time around was actually just one of the fellow tenants living there that locked me out via instruction over the phone on my land phone that had nothing to do with me and both lockouts or during this pandemic which have a hold put on all evictions but she completely ignored that and she only calls me or text me while I’m at work and ask for money she never handles any issues that I have with anything I was left without electricity in my room for a month and a half and she did not turn it back on until I mentioned the word Lawyer. I have a very very long list of so many illegal things that she has done and is still doing and I am currently homeless living in my car going on a week now for the second time and cannot access any of my things I have nothing so I’m doing my best to wash the small bag of clothes that I happen to have in my car to work every day.
dana pillot says
Hi am currently having issues with my landlord i just moved in to my apartment in june of this year and i have given the landlord the deposit and i get help from the dpss to help me pay my rent and my landlord will not expect the money she has come to my home and has harrassed me and ask me for the rent .and has threaten me with cutting off my water calling cps . I have done everything in my power to pay her and she will not excepted it . I have expressed my rights as tenant by writting a formal letter and all i got back from the landlord was the landlord sceaming and threatening .and telling that they can go to the court house and evict without three day notice what can i do
jane says
tenants talk about their rights.. how about their right to pay. Landlords have to pay rent too. If a tenant cannot pay the rent, leave the premises. Do you expect to live their for free?
Sharpe says
She said the landlord is refusing to accept her form of payment. If you’re not here to offer help then go back to the cave you crawled out of and stay off the site.
Pablo Monreal says
So…is she giving the full payment…she’s not being specific. Lots of ways that squatters and tenants try to screw over a landlord.
Melissa says
Yes, I’ve got one refusing to pay or move because she knows the courts arent doing move outs during the Covid. And the virus is not why she isnt paying; her income hasnt changed. So now shes going to end up living for FREE for at least 6 months before courts get caught up. There’s no excuse for bad landlords who dont fix things & there’s no excuse for not paying just because you know you can get away with it. I’ve cut the AC so at least they’ll have to buy window units if they stay. If I could cut the power safely I’d do that too. I’m literally being robbed every month. Sorry for all you getting ripped off by equally lousy landlords.
Lea Johnson says
To Melissa: Cutting off services to a tenant who has not been properly evicted is illegal. This pandemic is a night mare for all of us, but you must still follow the law. Your tenant is required to qualify to not pay rent during those moratorium on evictions. Why aren’t you doing things the right way?
Luz says
First day I have problem with manager. They accuse me of something terrible wich I did not do. I ask for lie detector test and they said no. They lost the form where you write all the problem in the apartment. Now they are trying to blame for the problems that I wrote down on the list.i been told by other tenant that they do this to Spanish people and get them to paid for. Also the manager send the maintenance to fix the door and I still have a hole under the door and it get freezing in here. The maintenance have harrast me twice by telling to move out, get out of here, get out and moving his hand in front of me, I felt his was going to hit me. I was scare and frozen. My sugar went up up and my blood pressure. Since then my body shake a little. She change the lease and sound like she is harassing me. The maintenance place a lock on my door already damage to charge me for. Manager would not talk to me. I don’t thing she would accept my rent when I go there to bring it. I always pay my rent on time. I have excellent credit (900). Usually when look for apartment they don’t believe mine credit. I’m afraid this landlord is going to ruin my credit. She also said on the lease not to send rent their mail. She gave me a lease different from others tenant and raise me more rent than others. I have call housing authorities twice and none call me back. I have don’t nothing wrong to anyone on the office. One of the neighbor call me nigger move out of here when I going to get my mail. I call the police to make a complaing on the maintenace who harrast me. Their told me I can’t do that. I can’t no move because my driver license was taking away due to eyes bad vision. This is the time when you really know who your friend are. No one want to help me. I offer 50dollar to drive the unsullied they say no. I was going to do the lifting. I’m scare I have call every gov. For help no one call me back. I have lost 10pound, I cant eat, think or concentrating when I go to the library I get lost. I been going there for years before my vision going bad. All because I wrote a letter, letting know what was not fix so their won’t charge me. Is on my fort lease. I just follow what the lease said.
Liz Reed Hawk says
Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible. One of our counselors is bilingual in Spanish. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PST.)
Brenda Carr says
Awww im just an ordinary person but let me say if i can help you i would. This pisses me off just reading it. Where so you live?
Nichnelson says
Sorry I don’t live in that appartment complex,I would whoop his ass for you, my self defense instructor told me rude people are only rude because they haven’t been hit hard enough….I also work in the industry of make readying apartments and I can say down here in the south where I live the legal landlords do very well for their tenants, which is who I work for, the slumlords is who you want to try and avoid and if you can’t find any real landlords, go south brother, you will never find more welcoming people
Willie Windless says
I moved in a house that wasn’t coded. It had no water or heat or insulation in the attic. It took two months before the house was coded in which time I didn’t pay the rent for the first month because I had to pay to take showers in hotel rooms and so forth. Now my landlord is threatening to evict me for that month that the house wasn’t coded. Please help
Liz Reed Hawk says
Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PST.)
Tammy says
My landlord took me to eviction court and lost due to sending y mail back and letting the neighbors disable the air. Since then she has harassed me out of spite. I’ve never been late on the rent and my lease was up a year ago. What are my rights or recourse?
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Tammy, please call our Tenant Services message-only line 206.694.6767 with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.)
Robin steagall says
My manager has knowly allowed another tenant to break the law by harassingy self and other tenants he even said he wouldn’t have to follow me take pictures of me
Call the police on me my. Vehicles if I didn’t live hear
Robin steagall says
Please get back to me on this problem asap thank you
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Robin, apologies that we did not respond to your original quesiton. Unfortunately we cannot respond to tenant questions online. Please call our Tenant Services message-only line (206.694.6767) with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Tim Tuggle says
I personally handed my Sept rent check to an employee at my apartment complex’s office on 9/5, the day it was due. I recently received a late notice because my payment wasn’t posted until the 6th. Similar to creditors, don’t landlords and property managers have to give you credit for the date they receive the payment, not the date it’s posted? Thanks.
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Tim, please call our Tenant Services message-only line 206.694.6767 with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Madilynn says
Hi! So I’m on my boyfriends lease in MI as an occupant, and made sure that was okay with the landlord, which she said is 100% okay. Now two months later all of a sudden we have to sign a new lease with me as a tenant as well. She said if we don’t do it it will be a violation charge and even eviction worthy. Is this legal? How can we fight it?
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Madilynn, please call our Tenant Services message-only line 206.694.6767 with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Madilynn, apologies, I just realized you said you are located in MI. Solid Ground’s Tenant Services only serves renters living in Washington state; each state has its own landlord-tenant laws. One resource you might look into is Michigan Legal Help: https://michiganlegalhelp.org/self-help-tools/housing/tenant-rights-and-responsibilities.
Jeff says
Landlord smells marijuana in our hall and has threatened to give a 10 day to every tenant on the floor if whoever is smoking doesnt stop. Can they do that with no idea or proof of who it is? Seems very illegal to me.
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Jeff, please call our Tenant Services message-only line 206.694.6767 with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
George Beitner says
My landlord has added a breaker to my electric panel that provides power to his property, but not mine. He expects me to pay for the power he is using. How unfair is this ??
Mike Buchman says
Hi George. To contact our Tenant Services please call the TENANT SERVICES MESSAGE HOTLINE: 206.694.6767 | TTY: 7.1.1
This is a message-only line, open M, W & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm. We will return your calls as quickly as possible.
Ryan says
Wo I’ve ran into an issue we rent out an apartment and our landlord has a space right next to us when they are in his personal area I can hear them through the vents clearly into our main bedroom I looked outside there are only 4 voltage meters when there should be 5 and only 4 ac units I believe we are heating and cooling his room without any compensation from him how do I go about this
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Ryan, please call our Tenant Services message-only line 206.694.6767 with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Maria Casian says
My landlord did not notify me that he switch to a management company. I was late on my rent on June 1st. And I got an eviction notice from the management company. I didn’t have any rental agreement sign to them. Can the eviction get proccess?
Also, my landlord did not accept the rent late. She didn’t want to talk to me . I have been in this place for 16 months.
Mike Buchman says
Hi Maria:
We do not have the capacity to accept tenant questions through comments on the blog. You can access Tenant Counselors through the TENANT SERVICES MESSAGE HOTLINE: 206.694.6767 | TTY: 7.1.1
This is a message-only line, open M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm. Leave a message during the hours listed above, and we will return your calls as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience!
Jess says
I’m having lots of problems with my landlord. My front door has been kicked in and I have no way to protect my home my backdoor doesn’t lock either. My HVAC is broken and we still have no air we are of course paid up on everything but we have so many issues and we can’t get him to fix anything and he keeps wanting our rent what should we do?
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Jess, please call our Tenant Services message-only line 206.694.6767 with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
shirley says
my husband took a ranch job ,were the home is part of the income .We want to leave and they are giving us 3 days to get out ! Is this legal
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Shirley, unfortunately we cannot respond to tenant questions online. If it’s not too late for your situation, please call our Tenant Services message-only line (206.694.6767) with your question on Monday, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Jennifer miller says
Hello is it legal to evict a tenant because the old property owner wants the property back?
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Jennifer, unfortunately we cannot respond to tenant questions online. Please call our Tenant Services message-only line (206.694.6767) with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Ginger Smierciak says
My landlady called Social Security using my social security number to find out when my check was going to be delivered
Teresa kaiser says
My landlord has shut of my power the utilities are in my name he is trying to forcing me out can get do this .
Kristie says
No
Teresa kaiser says
High my name is Teresa my landlord turned off my power and the bill is payed and in my name he is trying to force me out can he do this .
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Teresa, please call our Tenant Services message-only line 206.694.6767 with your question, and a Tenant Counselor will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Deborah Sanchez says
Im going g through so many things with landlord and management company..I had my landlord cited two times in a month period due to repairs not being done. Out of retaliation 5 minutes after code enforcement officer leaves she hands me a new rental agreement..They found mold and removed it with out sealing anything off my 2 year old twins were coughing uncontrollably.Took them to be seen by the doctor to find out they have mold symptoms sinus ear throat and respitory problems.They put us in a hotel to do more repairs last week to find out they changed the locks completely and locked my bedroom window called police they searched maintenance and found my jewelry on his property.I have a total of 5-6k in losses due to items being broken and stolen. I have to move because current conditions are inhabitable and our conditions are escalating our health is not getting better so we have no choice but to leave they said that they won’t give us our security or first month’s rent backas promised unless we sign our rights away to not take them to court.. Burkhart Apartments in Chula Vista,Ca 91911
Mike Buchman says
We only work in Washington State, but these agencies closer to home might be able to help you:
San Diego County Volunteer Lawyer Program
– 619.235.5656
– info@sdvlp.org
– Landlord-Tenant clinic:
o Walk-in clinic, Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm
o Vista Courthouse
Main Building, South Entrance
325 South Melrose Drive
Vista, CA 92081
– More info about Landlord-Tenant clinic: https://www.sdvlp.org/get-help/unlawful-detainer/
– List of other local resources: https://www.sdvlp.org/get-help/
Housing rights Center:
– Free Tenants Rights Hotline
o Monday-Friday
o 8:30am-5pm
o Toll free: 1.800.477.5977.
o TTY: 213.201.0867.
Kendra Armstrong says
Can I have a friend help move out and t hy e Landlord is not at the residence?
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Kendra, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law — but you can leave a message on our Tenant Services message-only line at 206.694.6767 during open hours (M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PDT) with your questions, and a Tenant Counselor might be able to direct you to resources in your state. Call in the next 15 minutes if you can!
Arabella Mudon says
Hey! A landlord cannot change the lock on a tenant, even if a tenant is behind in rent. The landlord has to go through the eviction process legally.
Angela says
I rent a room and the landlord is evicting me because I yelled at another tenant. I have been living in this house for going on 3yrs. The tenant that I yelled at just moved in she started an argument with another tenant and got him kicked out too. My landlord just gave me a notice to quit and not a court order eviction she says that I am trespassing and she told the other tenants not to let me wash my clothes where. I think she is doing things illegal with the evicting me.
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Angela, if you’d like the advice of a Solid Ground Tenant Counselor, please call our Tenant Services message-only line (206.694.6767) with your question, and someone will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
shaun thornton says
HI there my landlord gave me alease 5years +5years opt
later that month manager brought new lease stating 5years +3years opt we signed lease but never got it back now he is ending my 5years but not extending 3years rent on time never gave any problems
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Shaun, if you’d like the advice from a Solid Ground Tenant Counselor regarding Washington state Landlord/Tenant Law, please call our Tenant Services message-only line (206.694.6767) with your question, and someone will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Cheryl says
I’m on a month to month and my landlord asked me to vacate on June 3 if I stay what can they do I haven’t found another apt yet should I stay or will i get in trouble please help me Cheryl Vera
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Cheryl, if you’d like the advice from a Solid Ground Tenant Counselor regarding Washington state Landlord/Tenant Law, please call our Tenant Services message-only line (206.694.6767) with your question, and someone will get back to you. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm.) Thanks!
Carina says
Hi I rented a room I was being charged $800 when I moved into the room the front door has to holes they can get in any waythere was no light only one connection works. The bathroom clogged the house smells nasty turn out to be there’s rats since we moved in he said he was gona fix the light never did him we’re moving out we’re going to pay him the rent but our only mistake was that we told him when the rent was due that we were not gona pay cuz he didn’t fix anything nd told him that we’re going to move out now he’s locked me out and told me that I bet I better pay my rent or we can get our stuff out and he has disrespected me and all kinds of ways I have already called the police but wat can happen now he has disrespected me harrassed me nd threaten me
Mike Buchman says
Hi Carina, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PST.)
District One says
Great discussion, a landlord cannot change the lock on a tenant, even if a tenant is behind in rent.
Ashley m. says
I was told to leave the house I have lived in for 10 months. I was given 2 days then begged to have a couple more days due to my 11 yr. Old daughter having to fly across country to her dad’s because of how soon the notice was. I scrambled and bought a plane ticket. I was given three extra days till my daughter left to her dad’s. Then after our agreement of the extra three days I received a 30 day notice for eviction from a Marshall which would extend my time to find a place. She changed the locks the day she told me I had to leave and I have to knock Everytime to get back in and she said our lease was voided. But still uses clauses in the original agreement against me. Changed the rules around since and also doesn’t allow me to have guests past 9p.m. a new woman is sleeping in the living room waiting to get my room. She has expressed that I have to keep my guests to 9 pm because it disturbs the woman in the living room. She gave everyone else residing in the house new keys except me. I am one of 3 tenants. Today (nov.1st) would be the last day of the three extra days I begged for and now I have a 30 day. Do I have a claim?
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Ashley, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PST.)
Ashley m. says
Las Vegas NV thank you though!
Ashley m. says
I am in Las Vegas NV.. forgot to relay that. Update: threats of police for my guests being over and spending the night. My boyfriend is her family that is how I got this job.
Hallie Williams says
My house has a keypad lock, upon moving in I asked for a key which landlord said he would get me one which he never did and as a result I’ve been locked out of the house because the keypad died. Is this illegal on the landlords part? Also the day before my water went out, not sure if it’s back on yet because I’m locked out right now, can my landlord be at fault for anything?
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Hallie, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PST.)
Kyle howard says
Can landlord not let you back in apartment if you accidentally lock yourself out?? I live in Holden maine and am on shelter plus care (voucher)only paying 1/3 of income for rent and on disability. I’m on lease and new owner bought property and sent everyone notice stating no longer dealing with lockouts effective immediately. I believe that breaks my lease contract. My lease states I can be let back in during business days and hours but may have to pay lock out fee if not business days or hours. Since new management took property over having issues with mail being delivered and driveway being plowed and salted properly. I need help. Please contact me. Thanks.
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Kyle, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law — but you can leave a message on our Tenant Services message-only line, 206.694.6767, with your questions, and a Tenant Counselor might be able to direct you to resources in your state. (Current message line open hours are: M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PST.)
Kaitlynn says
Hello so my landlord did evict us. We went through court n everything. But they didn’t give us an actual date to be moved out by. The landlord shut off our water today. We have a child that lives here full time. Is that illegal? Although we have went through the eviction process? The cops & our landlord have not left anything on our door or have contacted us AT ALL.
Thanks. Let me know ASAP PLEASE
Mike Buchman says
Hi Kaitlynn:
Hello, I am sorry to hear about the situation. Washington landlords cannot shut off utilities unless it is for a short period of time for repairs. (RCW 59.18.300: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.300). Please leave a message on our hotline on Thursday or Monday between 10:30am and 1:30pm if you would like to have a longer conversation about the situation with a tenant counselor. The hotline number is 206.694.6767.
emily voights says
landlord changed locks on my business without notifying me. this was after I told him of a major roof leak. in the lease it says I do not have to pay rent until it is fixed (if its a major repair). he insisted on moving my stuff out and not letting me into the property. he requested I return a different day (civil matter and police couldnt force him to open door). I returned today at 4pm. I have quite a few items missing. some are irreplaceable and all the items missing are valued at over $100.
is this legal?
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Emily, unfortunately we cannot respond to tenant questions via the blog, but Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors can provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law via phone. If you live in Washington, please call our Tenant Services message-only line at 206.694.6767 during open hours (M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PDT) with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible.
Melanie Cameron says
Me and my boyfriend bought a trailer in a mobile home park and the property manager called the water company and told them not to turn our water on even though we have to put it our name and we have 3 young kids.
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hi Melanie, Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors can provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law via phone. Please call our Tenant Services message-only line at 206.694.6767 during open hours (M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PDT) with your questions, and they will respond as soon as possible.
Gloria says
Hi I leave with my sister four three years she died with covid19 and the own called and got the lights and gas turn off but they in my name and has been for a while manger follows me in her car now where ever I go I offer to pay the rent until I find a place they dont want it what can I do
Mike Buchman says
Hi Gloria, I am sorry to hear about the situation, and I am sorry for your loss. Landlords are not allowed to harass tenants. Additionally, Washington state landlords are banned from evicting tenants unless the tenant poses a “significant and immediate risk to the health, safety, or property of others.” The governor’s ban on evictions is being enforced through August 1st 2020, and the full text is here. Please feel free to call our tenant counseling hotline (206.694.6767) between 10:30am and 1:30pm on a Monday or a Thursday. One of our tenant counselors will be able to give you more detailed information. We are not attorneys and we cannot provide legal advice, however we can help you figure out what legal services are available in your area.
Angela Nunley says
Me & my husband have been in this house for six yrs. We decided to do month to month about a year ago, because we wanted to move, cause it was easier when his mom had the property, but she gave it to him, so on July the 7 he gave us a 30 day notice that we had to move, because we were like 10 days late on rent & with August 2020 coming up, he espect us to be out by the 7th. Haven’t found a place to move & then my husband test positive for COVID-19. He’s in the hospital & the landlord, Mr Lyndon Pulliam in Berkeley Mo. Is still trying to evict us, hes putting for rent signs in the yard & my husband is still in the hospital.
Liz Reed Hawk says
Hello Angela, we’re so sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors provide advice on Washington state landlord/tenant law — but you can leave a message on our Tenant Services message-only line at 206.694.6767 during open hours (M & Th, 10:30am – 1:30pm, PT) with your questions, and a Tenant Counselor might be able to direct you to resources in your state.
Dhjdd says
Hi,
I have tenants who didn’t pay rent this month and won’t leave! They are being a nuisance! They hog our laundry machine and use it for 1 week and a half. Also, always leaving in their clothes overnight! There are other tenants living here that needs to wash! They are hogging everything in our home and won’t wash and they keep yelling at us acting bigger than the owners! Everytime they get a new car they hog every space they can find and just park there without telling us! They haven’t paid rent this month! How to kick them out!!!!