Moneys paid as deposit or security for before vacating are considered normal wear and tear by the Tenants Union of Washington State.
There are links to the Revised Code of Washington on the Tenant Services website.
The information should not be considered legal advice.Please read our full statement.
The law requires month-to-month tenants to give at least 20 days written notice before vacating their units.There are more details in Rental Agreements if you don't know what you have.20 days before the end of the rental period, the landlord must give written notice of your move-out.If your rent is due on the first of the month, and you plan to leave by 30th, you must give your landlord a written notice by the 10th.To get proof that you sent your notice to leave, you need to send it certified mail and regular first class mail.Your landlord can charge you for the following month's rent if you don't give proper 20 days written notice or stay longer than the date you gave notice for.
If your rental agreement states that your rent is due on an irregular day of the month, such as the 15th, just count 20 days backward from that date to determine when your notice must be received by the landlord.The 20-day period is calculated from the day that your rent is due, not including any grace period you may be allowed before.
Tenants on fixed term leases are committed to living in the unit for the entire lease period.Look for the notice terms in your rental agreement.The tenancy ends when the lease ends, if there are no specific notice terms.If you want to let your landlord know about your plans, give them some notice.Break your lease at Rental Agreements.If you still hold the keys after the end of the lease, the landlord may charge you a month's rent.
If you need to stay longer than the day you gave notice, you should get your landlord's permission in writing.Your landlord can charge you rent for the entire month if you stay past the day that you give notice to leave.If you want to stay a few extra days or move out in the middle of the month, your landlord is not obligated to prorate the rent.The law does not require landlords to prorate the rent for days or partial months when tenants only occupy the unit.If you need to stay past your notice date, it is a good idea to get a written agreement with your landlord stating the number of days you will be staying, and agreeing upon the amount you'll be charged for those days.
Provide a valid address to your landlord to send your deposit forwarding accounting and refunds.You should notify the post office of your forwarding address.You can provide the address of a reliable friend or relative if you don't have a secure new address.Your landlord is obligated to send your deposit statement within 14 days of your last known address.If you don't give them a new address for you, they will not be able to reach you unless you forward your mail.There is an example at Sample Letter: Notice to Vacate.
After move-in, landlords will usually collect the first and last month's rent.The money can only be used for rent.Tenants can communicate with their landlord about how to apply their last month's rent if the rental agreement doesn't specifically state it.If you want your landlord to apply your last month's rent, it is a good idea to include it in your notice to leave.Tenants aren't required to give notice to leave until at least 20 days before the end of the rental period, but rent may be due by the 1st of month.If the tenant has already paid rent for the month in which they gave notice to leave, they can ask their landlord for a refund of the last month's rent payment.If the landlord does not comply, a tenant can write a demand letter for their money, or pursue Small Claims Court or other remedies for the return of the money.
The landlord has the right to collect the difference from last month's rent payments.You paid $500 for your last month of rent when you moved into the unit 10 years ago.Your landlord could charge you more in the last month of your stay if the rent had been raised over time.
Tenants in Washington State are responsible for returning the unit to its pre-tenant condition, minus normal wear and tear.Normal wear and tear is not defined by the Landlord-Tenant Act.Tenants can argue that wear and tear will be greater over time, and that it includes all normal uses of the premises.The wear of carpeting in a unit where a tenant has lived for 6 years will most likely be greater than wear after 6 months.Tenants are responsible for repairing any damage they cause to the rented premises, but not for normal wear and tear.It is normal wear and tear for a carpet to be worn after months or years of normal walking.This can be considered damage if the tenant spills something on the carpet.Tenants can consult with an attorney if they think they are being charged for normal wear and tear or for damages they did not cause to the unit.Some move out requirements may be outlined in your lease.The tenant may be required to have the carpets or blinds professionally cleaned.
It is a good idea to get proof of any and all steps you take to clean the unit or repair damages, including receipts and invoices for cleaning services.For more information on how to protect your deposit, see Deposits.
Documentation of the condition when you leave the unit is a good idea.If the landlord charges you for extra cleaning or damages you did not cause, this will be your proof.You can take pictures of the unit before you leave.Small Claims Court judges may not accept camera or cell phone camera date stamps because they can be tampered with.The landlord is not legally required to do a walk-out inspection with you.It is a good idea to get proof of any steps you take to clean the unit or repair damages, including receipts and invoices for cleaning services, carpet shampooing or other documentation.It is a good idea to have anyone who helped you move in, come by to inspect the unit when you leave to confirm that you have fulfilled your duty of returning it in the condition you received it.