Washington Room Rental Agreement

Rental Application

Before entering into a rental agreement, it is advisable to utilize a rental application to evaluate each potential roommate. This process serves two primary purposes:

• Verify Financial Responsibility: It helps assess whether each roommate can pay rent on time.
• Ensure Fulfillment of Responsibilities: It confirms that each individual is capable of meeting their obligations as a tenant.

Transition from Guest to Tenant

According to Title 59, Chapter 59.18 of the Washington Revised Code (The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act), there is no defined transition period for when a guest becomes a tenant. The law does not specify a timeframe for this transition, and the guidelines can vary based on individual circumstances and the provisions outlined in the original lease agreement.

This lack of definition necessitates that landlords and tenants remain aware of their specific situations and any relevant lease provisions when considering the status of guests.

Statutes

• Washington RCW §§ 59.18.060 – Landlord-Duties
• Washington RCW §§ 59.18.130 – Duties of tenant
• RCW §§ 59.18.280 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Statement and notice of basis for retention-Remedies for landlord’s failure to make refund-Exception
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.270 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Deposit by landlord in trust account-Receipt-Remedies under foreclosure-Claims
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.285 – Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit-Written rental agreement required-Remedies
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.260 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord-Written checklist required
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.063 – Landlord-Written receipts for payments made by tenant
• Wash. Rev. Code § 62A.3-515 – Checks dishonored by nonacceptance or nonpayment; liability for interest; rate; collection costs and attorneys’ fees; satisfaction of claim
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.115 – Substandard and dangerous conditions-Notice to landlord-Government certification-Escrow account
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.100 – Landlord’s failure to carry out duties-Repairs effected by tenant-Procedure-Deduction of cost from rent-Limitations
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.310 – Default in rent-Abandonment-Liability of tenant-Landlord’s remedies-Sale of tenant’s property by landlord, deceased tenant exception
• Wash. Rev. Code §59.04.030 – Tenancy for specified time-Termination
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.200(1a-b) – [Effective 1/1/2028] Tenancy from month to month or for rental period-End of tenancy-Armed forces exception-Exclusion of children-Conversion to condominium-Demolition, substantial rehabilitation of the premises-Notice
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.050 – Tenancy by sufferance-Termination
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(3) – Unlawful detainer defined
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(4) – Unlawful detainer defined
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(5) – Unlawful detainer defined
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.150(6) – Landlord’s right of entry-Purposes-Searches by fire officials-Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes-Conditions
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.150(5) – Landlord’s right of entry-Purposes-Searches by fire officials-Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes-Conditions
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.290 – Removal or exclusion of tenant from premises-Holding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination date-Attorneys’ fees
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.300 – Termination of tenant’s utility services-Tenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.060 – Landlord-Duties
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.130 – Duties of tenant
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.065 – Landlord-Copy of written rental agreement to tenant
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.257 – Screening of prospective tenants-Notice to prospective tenant-Costs-Adverse action notice-Violation
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(1b) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(2-3) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(4) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.580 – Victim protection-Limitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord’s rental decisions
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.240 – Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord-Prohibited
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.250 – Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord-Presumptions-Rebuttal-Costs