Are there laws that protect a tenant from security deposit abuses?

Yes, there are laws in Washington that protect tenants from security deposit abuses. The Washington Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RLTA) lays out specific rules and regulations that landlords must follow when it comes to collecting and returning security deposits. Under the RLTA, landlords must secure security deposits in a separate, interest-bearing bank account, and must provide the tenant with a list of the deposits and account information upon request. In addition, a landlord must return the security deposit within 21 days of the tenant vacating the premises, including any interest earned on the deposit if the amount was more than two hundred dollars. The amount of interest the landlord must pay the tenant is determined by the average rate of return on the type of account in which the security deposit is maintained. The RLTA also places restrictions on what types of deductions a landlord may take before refunding a security deposit. These deductions are limited to unpaid rent, damages caused by the tenant beyond ordinary wear and tear, and any other amounts that the tenant is legally responsible for. Landlords may not deduct normal wear and tear, such as paint fading or floor coverings wearing out. To protect tenants from landlord abuses, the RLTA states that a landlord must provide a written notice to the tenant that explains the reasons the landlord intends to make deductions from the security deposit. Alternatively, the landlord must provide a written statement of the tenant’s payment history accompanied by a report of the condition of the premises. Therefore, the laws in Washington state help to protect tenants from security deposit abuses by landlords.

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Are there laws that protect a tenant from security deposit abuses?

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