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This is Red. My place needs repairs! Red's apartment has some issues.
The oven hasn't worked in weeks,
which is bad enough,
but now the electricity has been flickering on and off.
It was off all day yesterday.
Red's not sure what to do.
What can I do?
Red gets some advice from his neighbor, Bo.
Why don't you just stop paying rent?
Bad idea, Bo!
Who said that?!
I'm the narrator of this video series about the Rights and Responsibilities of
Landlords and Tenants in Washington State,
produced by the Northwest Justice Project.
I'm here to talk about getting repairs in a rental in Washington!
You cannot refuse to pay rent
even if your landlord does not make repairs!
Your landlord has a legal duty to make sure that your rental unit is "habitable."
But, if you do not pay rent, your landlord may start the eviction process against you.
Okay, so what can we do?
Yeah, do we just have to live with it?
You can follow these steps:
Write a letter to your landlord
letting her know what repairs are needed
and deliver it to her,
or send it by certified mail and also by regular mail.
Keep a copy just in case.
Wait the required number of days.
For problems like broken major appliances or plumbing fixtures,
your landlord has 72 hours
(or three days) to begin repairs.
For major problems, like no hot or cold water or electricity,
or life-threatening dangers,
your landlord has 24 hours to begin repairs.
For other kinds of repairs, your landlord has to start the repairs within 10 days.
But, what if the landlord doesn't start fixing the problem in time?
Yeah!
If the landlord doesn't begin the repairs within the required time,
you have these options:
First, you can move out.
But you must give your landlord a proper written notice that you plan to move out before you go.
But you must give your landlord a proper written notice that you plan to move out before you go.
After that, your landlord is supposed to refund deposits and rent for days you already paid but won't be living there.
After that, your landlord is supposed to refund deposits and rent for days you already paid but won't be living there.
A second option: you can hire a lawyer and go to court or arbitration.
A third option is to make the repairs
or hire someone else to make the repairs.
Then you may be able to deduct some of the cost from your rent.
That sounds like a good option.
Yeah, I knew you could stop paying rent!
Hold on, it's not that simple.
The "repair and deduct" option is trickier than it sounds.
For one thing, you must be completely caught up on rent and utilities-
you can't owe your landlord any money.
Second, if someone else will be doing the repairs, you must give your landlord
a written estimate of the repair cost before you start the repairs.
Also, there are limits to the amount you can legally deduct from your rent.
Also, there are limits to the amount you can legally deduct from your rent.
Finally, you must allow the landlord to inspect the work afterwards.
Hmmm, that does sound complicated.
I may need to talk to a lawyer or read the law before doing that.
Is there anything else I can do?
If the conditions in your apartment are dangerous to your health or safety,
you can call the local code enforcement agency or health department.
you can call the local code enforcement agency or health department.
They may send out an official to inspect the place
and help get repairs made.
Well, I guess I had better write a letter to my landlord about the repairs this place needs and deliver it right away.
Well, I guess I had better write a letter to my landlord about the repairs this place needs and deliver it right away.
Right. Don't forget to keep a copy for yourself,
in case you need to prove you sent it.
Okay, thanks!
Yeah, um, thanks.
You're welcome.
To learn more about the Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Washington,
To learn more about the Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Washington,
Visit: www.WashingtonLawHelp.org. If you are low income,
Visit: www.WashingtonLawHelp.org. If you are low income,
you may qualify for free legal help from the Northwest Justice Project
Call the CLEAR hotline at: 1-888-201-1014.
Call the CLEAR hotline at: 1-888-201-1014.
Call the CLEAR hotline at: 1-888-201-1014.
You can click on one of the characters below to learn more about
a specific issue affecting residential tenants in Washington.
This video was produced in March 2013,
the laws may have changed since that time.
This video gives a general information only.
Your particular situation may be very different than those shown this video.
Your particular situation may be very different than those shown this video.
This video is not a substitute for talking to a lawyer about your situation.
It does not create an attorney-client relationship,
and cannot predict or guarantee
an outcome in any legal proceeding.