Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington
Other person on the lease wont pay rent
We are both on the lease and she has not paid rent, let alone spoken with or made an effort to contact, me in 3 months. I have taken over all of the bills, including her cat. I was told i couldn't change the locks because she would be able to get a key. I am afraid that she will come in one day while i am at work and take all of her things and leave. What can i do?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Other person on the lease wont pay rent
WHoever told you that you should not change the locks was correct. If she's on the lease you cannot lock her out without having some serious legal repercussions.
She could come in and take her stuff. How would that be bad for you?
You can write to her and include a notice of abandoned property and tell her that in 45 days you are going to put it in storage and that if she does not deal with it the storage place will eventually sell it which is true.
PLEASE don't do this to the cat. If you need to re-home her cat, ask for help from the cat rescue people.
You can sue her for unpaid rent that she failed to pay and you had to cover. Hope this helps - Elizabeth Powell
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