Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington

Re: Landlord asks for sex in exchange for deposit

Wow! That sounds like something out of a movie. Unfortunately, you are in a difficult position because other than your word, there is no evidence to support your position. On the other hand, that should not stop you from trying to do something about it.

First, if you press the point, bear in mind that you will have to pay that $600 pet deposit when push comes to shove. So, your options are that you can try to obtain an anti-harassment order against the manager. As a preliminary step, you may want to introduce yourself and talk with other women in your apartment complex and see if they ever complain about him pulling similar stuff with them. (Having witnesses with similar stories can become compelling.)

You may also want to approach the building ownership (in writing-always communicate in writing sent by certified mail to document your communications) and explain the situation. That at least puts them on notice that at least one tenant has a real problem with the slime ball working for them.

If the building ownership refuses to do anything or if they have a "talk" with him and that does nothing, then your next step is to go to court (hopefully with an attorney) and seek an anti-harassment restraining order against the manager. Again, if it's she-said he-said, that may not be enough to convince a judge, but you can at least try.

Another option is to talk to building ownership and explain the situation and bottom line it by saying that if they are determined to keep him, you'd like to be able to break the lease immediately and just leave. They may be amenable to that as well.

On the other hand, if you just break the lease and the landlord sues you for damages and you claim as a defense that you broke the lease because of the manager-slime ball, they'll simply tell the court that you could not afford your pet deposit and that you've made up this story to cover yourself. At that point if you do not have other tenants with similar stories or witnesses of some kind, then I think you're in for a rough ride.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but this at least gives you an idea of some options.