Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington

broken lease

after re-signing a year lease in sept. the end of october our house was broken into and robbed. after talking with the owners about moving out because we didn't feel safe there. Also we where being charged for electricity for a laundry room that was attached to a duplex that was on the property without our knowlage. we believed that the owners agreed to us breaking the lease. When someone says Thats OK, we understand and gives us a good reference for our new place.

On 12-4-2003 I received a phone call from the landlords stating that they want the rent for the rest of the lease. They are not making any effort to re-rent the house. RCW 59.18.310 and 59.18.280 is an issue also.


Asked on 12/15/03, 1:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Matthew King Wershow & Ritter, Inc. P.S.

Re: broken lease

Normally you need to have consideration given for a contract to be broken (in essence you are making a contract to break the first contract). It doesn't sound like the landlord agreed to termination of the lease obligations.

That being said, it is likely you are liable for the rest of the lease term. However, the landlord has a duty to try to rent the apartment in the meantime. If the landlord can rent the place you are only liable for the period of time the landlord did not have a tenant.

Also, if you are in King County, you should contact the King County Dispute Resolution Center at 206.443.9603 for assistance in resolving this dispute.

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Answered on 12/16/03, 11:28 am


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