Improvements and/or modifications made to a property, such as electrical, plumbing, or structural work, usually require a permit. Permitting laws can vary by location of the property.   Construction work that might require a permit in one area may not need a permit in some other location. If the improvements you made to the property were […]

As defined by the Washington State Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RLTA) – RCW 59.18.030 – a “Comprehensive reusable tenant screening report” means a tenant screening report prepared by a consumer reporting agency at the direction of and paid for by the prospective tenant and made available directly to a prospective landlord at no charge, which […]

A renter resume is a personal marketing tool used by applicant to showcase the prospective applicant’s rental qualifications. The resume provides key details of the potential tenant’s previous rental history, background history, and references. A renter resume targets rental qualifications in a similar manner as an employment resume targets a job applicant’s skills and abilities. […]

An application deposit and an application fee may be required by a landlord. Application fees are required by some landlords to cover the cost of tenant screenings such as credit and background checks. Landlord-tenant statutes of each state may address the issue of application fees differently. As allowed by statute, many landlords do charge an […]

Welcoming the new tenant to the rental community is usually done through a new tenant orientation meeting. The orientation meeting provides the important information the new tenant needs to know to quickly adapt to rental practices and get settled into his new home. The orientation meeting is also an important first step in the landlord-tenant […]

Landlord–tenant statutes usually do not address issues such as tenant parking. A landlord should control parking spaces by assignments to tenants rather than by the number of vehicles a tenant may have. A landlord would not have a right to restrict parking on public property – for example, on the street in front of the […]

The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine holds that a property owner may be liable for injuries to children who trespass on the property if the injury occurred as a result of an object, or condition on the property that was likely to attract the attention or curiosity of children. A property owner or landlord has a special […]

What are the landlord’s options if the tenant’s security deposit is insufficient to cover costs of property repairs due to tenant damage, cleaning the rental unit, and tenant unpaid rent? The purpose of a security deposit is to provide the landlord with funds owed by the tenant if the tenant fails to pay rent as […]

Verifying past employment of a job candidate is an important step in the hiring process. The employer must determine as well as possible or practical that the candidate has presented factual and true information on his resume and application regarding employment history. The purpose of the verification is to independently confirm the candidate’s employment by […]

The implied warranty of habitability requires a landlord to offer and maintain leased premises in a safe and sanitary condition fit for human habitation for the duration of the lease. The tenant’s covenant of quiet enjoyment ensures the tenant that during his tenancy, his use and enjoyment of the dwelling unit will not be disturbed […]