Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Mukilteo

Find the right Tenant attorney in Mukilteo, WA

Tenant Law in Washington

In Mukilteo, Washington, it's not easy to be a tenant or a landlord, and relations between those parties can sometimes get testy.

Landlords and tenants have several rights and responsibilities. What follows is a partial list of the rights that landlords and tenants have, and the corresponding duties of the other party.

Landlord's Rights in Mukilteo, WA

The most basic right that landlords have is the right to be paid the agreed-upon rent by their tenant. Obviously, renting apartments is how landlords earn a living, so they are entitled to collect the rent that the tenant agreed to pay.

Landlords also have a right to be compensated for damage to the building that a tenant causes, either intentionally or negligently. Any damage caused by a tenant, besides reasonable wear and tear, can be billed, and the landlord can deduct from the tenant's security deposit to pay for repairs.

Tenant's Rights in Mukilteo, WA

At the most basic level, tenants have a basic right to what they're paying for: a habitable living environment. Therefore, landlords in Mukilteo, Washington must ensure that the units they rent to tenants meet some basic standards for human habitation. These requirements vary from state to state, but are often fairly easy to meet. There are no legal requirements that rented units be pretty, particularly spacious, or luxurious. They simply have to be fit for human beings to live in them. To be considered "habitable," rented units must have water, electricity, some form of heating (if the local climate necessitates it), and adequate protection from the elements (proper insulation, no roof leaks, windows that close, etc.).

Furthermore, tenants are entitled to common areas which are reasonably safe and clean, and free of physical obstacles. Areas such as lobbies, hallways, stairwells, and fire escapes must comply with the building codes of Mukilteo, Washington. Furthermore, any other unreasonable safety hazard, even if it doesn't violate a specific provision of a building code, can create liability for the landlord if it injures a tenant.

Under the laws of Washington, and the United States, discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religion, or gender is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, landlords must not discriminate against renters on the basis of any physical disability. They also have to allow the renter to make reasonable modifications to their apartment, to make it more accessible. Generally, landlords are only required to allow relatively minor and reversible modifications, and tenants cannot compel them to remodel the building, for example. Also, once the tenant leaves, the landlord can bill the tenant for the costs of restoring the apartment to its original condition.

And finally, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord generally can't evict the tenant until the lease expires, without a good reason. Valid causes for eviction include unpaid rent, illegal activities on the property, damage to the building caused by the tenant, and excessive noise.

Can a Mukilteo, Washington Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, chances are that you want to avoid conflict. But if you do end up in a seemingly irresolvable conflict with the other party, a Mukilteo, Washington attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Mukilteo

Mukilteo WA is located on the shore of the Pudget Sound in Washington and is considererd one of the more affluent suburbs of Seattle. With a population just under 20,000 Mukilteo has small town charm. It is no wonder the Mukiteo was named one of the top 100 small towns of America to live in by Money Magazine. Mukilteo's strategic location is also the site of Washington State Ferries terminal, which serves as the link to several islands, including Clinton and Whidbey Island. Originally a trading village and popular point of entry for ships, Mukilteo's unique name means "good camping ground." Another noteworthy aspect of Mukilteo is the city's education. Kamiak High School, located in the heart of Mukilteo is considered one of the most expensive schools ever built in the U.S. In addition to having stellar public school and private school education, Mukilteo is also home to some fabulous lawyers, ranging in many specialties and trained to help their clients with any legal issue he or she may find themselves dealing with. Mukilteo lawyers are just one more aspect that makes this charming Washington city a great place to live and work.

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