What rights do tenants have when it comes to repairs and maintenance?
In Washington, tenants have certain rights when it comes to repairs and maintenance. These rights are laid out in the Washington Residential Landlord Tenant Act and help protect a tenant from faults caused by the landlord. First, a tenant should request repairs in writing, sent to the landlord. This gives the tenant a record in case the landlord fails to respond or make the repairs. The landlord then has a certain amount of time to make the repairs. This can range from 24 to 72 hours. If the landlord fails to make the repairs in this time frame, the tenant is legally allowed to make the repairs and deduct the cost from the rent. Second, the landlord is obligated to keep the rental unit in a safe and clean condition. This means that the landlord must fix any dangerous conditions that may exist in the home, such as faulty wiring or leaky plumbing. The landlord is also responsible for nuisance orders, such as from pests or mold. Finally, the tenant has the right to a habitable dwelling, meaning that the landlord must provide a safe and healthy environment. This includes making repairs to make sure the rental unit remains livable. If the landlord does not repair the rental unit and it does not meet the standard of habitability, the tenant can opt to break the lease without paying any fees.
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