Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Washington

Landlord charging senior for all new carpeting

Senior lady living in low income apartment just moved out. Daughter cleaner and shampooed alsp patched any small nail holes for picture hanging. Landlord now going to charge her for replacing carpeting in entire apartment, painting entire apartment including ceiling. (Non Smoker)Left in good condition. Land lord also charging her additional 50.00 to replace kitchen cabinet door which he has had for a long time and has repaired.

When asked why he is replacing all carpeting and repainting entire unit, his reply, '' Thats what we always do''. Is this legal? Any recourse? Please assist.


Asked on 12/12/01, 12:35 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gary Preble Preble Law Firm, P.S.

Re: Landlord charging senior for all new carpeting

The answer depends primarily on the rental/lease agreement. Read it carefully. It may help or hurt you.

Secondly, there are statutory protections as well. Chapter 59.18 ia the RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT ACT and can be found at http://search.leg.wa.gov/wslrcw/RCW%20%2059%20%20TITLE/RCW%20%2059%20.%2018%20%20CHAPTER/RCW%20%2059%20.%2018%20%20chapter.htm. Several of the sections deal with tenants' rights and landlords' duties.

Finally, this is not an untypical thing for a landlord to do. The cost of an attorney writing a letter to remind the landlord of their duties is often enough to get them to back off.

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Answered on 12/12/01, 10:52 am


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