Are there any exceptions to Fair Housing Law for existing tenants?

Yes, there are some exceptions to Fair Housing Law for existing tenants in Washington. First, there is an exception for landlords who rent single family homes. These landlords can take into consideration a tenant’s income or credit when making a decision to rent or not. However, if a landlord does decide to rent to a tenant based on their income, they must ensure that they are only charging the same rent to applicants in similar economic circumstances. Second, there is an exception that allows landlords to refuse to rent to tenants if they can show that they have a good cause to do so. Good cause may include dangerous or disruptive behavior, criminal activity or any other harmful or negative burden that the tenant poses to the property or other tenants. Lastly, there is an exception for senior living communities or buildings that specialize in housing for people over a certain age. These communities can legally deny housing to people who are not of the target age group. Overall, Fair Housing Law in Washington does give landlords some exceptions for existing tenants. However, landlords must be careful to ensure that they are abiding by the law and not discriminating against prospective tenants. This is especially important when it comes to income and credit, as these should not be used to make decisions on who to rent to or not.

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