What rights do tenants have?

Tenants in the state of Washington are afforded certain rights by the law. These rights are established by both state and federal laws and are intended to protect both tenants and landlords. Tenants in Washington have the right to privacy, meaning that landlords are not allowed to enter a tenant’s premise without giving at least 24 hours’ notice. This notice must be given in writing and must state the proposed date, time, and reason for the landlord’s entry. The tenant has the right to refuse access if they disagree with the landlord’s request. Tenants also have the right to live in a safe and healthy home. Landlords must keep all common areas and living spaces, such as stairways and hallways, in reasonable condition. Landlords are also responsible for making sure that any appliances they provide are up to date and in working order. Tenants in Washington also have the right to be notified at least two weeks before any rent increase. Additionally, landlords are forbidden from increasing rent prices more than once in a year. Finally, if a tenant’s unit is being foreclosed on, they have the right to remain in the unit until the foreclosure process is complete. This is known as the “right of redemption”. During this process, the tenant is given the right to redeem (or purchase) the housing unit in order to keep their occupancy. In summary, tenants in the state of Washington have the right to privacy, a safe and healthy living environment, two weeks’ notice of rental increases, and the right of redemption during foreclosure.

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