Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington

Re: managers responsibilities

They may have moral responsibilities, but based on the facts you provided I don't see that the manager broke any laws. The Health Care Privacy and Portablilty Act (HIPPA) doesn't apply to apt. managers.

If you are genuinely afraid of the dog, and the dog is actually a menace, you might want to consider moving to an apartment where animals are not allowed.

"Getting out of a lease" is a diplomacy issue. If you write to your manager and landlord and explain precisely what happened and your rationale for why you want to leave, they may well agree with you that it would be best for all concerned if you move. That's called an accord and satisfaction - which is the recission of an old agreement, and the creation of a new agreement. Old agreement - lease until June: New agreement - lease term modified to end at the end of February.

Courts in Washington will generally charge a tenant on a lease one month's rent to get out of a lease. After that, they figure the landlord should be able to mitigate his damages and find a new tenant. If you have a security deposit, you could forfeit it, depending on how your lease is written.

Hope this helps you sort out what to do. Powell