Are there any special rights for tenants who are victims of domestic violence under Fair Housing Law?

Yes, tenants who are victims of domestic violence have special rights under Fair Housing Law in Washington. The Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) provides protections for tenants who have been victims of domestic violence. These protections apply to any tenant who has reported the domestic violence to a law enforcement agency or has a valid protection order from a court. According to the law, a landlord must not terminate an existing lease or deny an application for a lease due to the fact that the tenant is a victim of domestic violence. Furthermore, a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence has the right to terminate their lease without any penalties if the tenant provides evidence of domestic violence (such as a police report or court order) to their landlord. The tenant must provide at least 14 days of notice in order to properly terminate the lease. Tenants who are victims of domestic violence also have the right to request a change to a lock on their rental unit in order to ensure their safety. The tenant must provide a copy of the protection order or police report to the landlord in order to make this request. The landlord must then change the lock at their own expense. Overall, the Fair Housing Law in Washington provides important protections for tenants who are victims of domestic violence. These protections ensure that tenants have the right to remain in their rental unit and that they can make necessary changes to their rental unit without any repercussions.

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