Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington

tenant landloard issue

we gave notice to move out of our house we rented when we paid rent for october of 2007 we recieved a phone call on october 20th that they were putting all our belongings out on the street and we were 200 hundred miles away at the time so had to rent truck and storage at spur of the moment so our stuff wouldnt getruined or stolen. was wondering if they had a right to do that as our rent was paid untill the 1st of november . also they are trying to charge us for them cleaning the house and yard. is it legal for them to do that when we were paid through the month and then take our deposit cuz they moved us out before the 31st.


Asked on 10/30/07, 4:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: tenant landloard issue

Landlord has no right to enter your tenancy (house or apt) without notice and can be found liable for a self-help eviction without a court order authorizing them to enter, let alone to touch your property.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you want more help with this.

When your rent is paid up, the landlord has no right whatsoever to declare an abandonment even if you are away at the time.

Whether or not they can take your deposit depends on what your contract says and whether or not that's enforceable - sometimes it is not enforceable.

But "moving you out" sure sounds like an unlawful self-help eviction.

Elizabeth Powell

Read more
Answered on 10/30/07, 5:11 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Washington