Landlord/Tenant Laws for Washington State (lease agreement, rental, lender, house)

[simplegrinn]

We are renting a single-wide mobile with 3.25 acres and it states that in the rental agreement.
Want to know:
1. I know about access to in side, Can they access property at anytime with out notice?
2. Can they just decide to build on the property with out notice?
3. We have a gate up front can I lock it as long as they have a key?
4. If they come on when gate locked is it trespassing?

Here is what has happened for me to ask these questions and keep in mind 3 months after we moved in they put the property up for sale. We found out when we say a sign in front of the driveway and they wanted us to deal with Realtor as well.

Got phone call on Monday that they were coming out Tuesday morning to dig up septic tank. I had called them back and they would not answer there phone then called back Tuesday morning before they were to come out no answer. So, I decided to txt got answer right away and asked that in the future they could please give a 24 hr notice, beings we have not called about any issues with the septic system.

I asked if the property had been sold or being sold. No, was the response and thought it to be odd that they were having a county inspector out to inspect septic system. I know it is normally required by the lender and then contacted the county and found out they applied for a building permit.

They then showed up again unannounced last night with another person, I went out and asked what was up and he didn't say anything. So, I asked if he could please call and give 24 hrs. notice before coming out unannounced to the property and his response was "I don't have to give any notice to come on property only if I access in side".

My understanding is that 24 hrs. is required to come on property and access in side of the home. I have searched online for landlord\tenant laws for Washington State Chapter 59.18 RCW: Residential landlord-tenant act and can not get a straight and forward answer to include access on the property.

Thanks

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by simplegrinn

We are renting a single-wide mobile with 3.25 acres and it states that in the rental agreement.
Want to know:
1. I know about access to in side, Can they access property at anytime with out notice?
2. Can they just decide to build on the property with out notice?
3. We have a gate up front can I lock it as long as they have a key?
4. If they come on when gate locked is it trespassing?

Here is what has happened for me to ask these questions and keep in mind 3 months after we moved in they put the property up for sale. We found out when we say a sign in front of the driveway and they wanted us to deal with Realtor as well.

Got phone call on Monday that they were coming out Tuesday morning to dig up septic tank. I had called them back and they would not answer there phone then called back Tuesday morning before they were to come out no answer. So, I decided to txt got answer right away and asked that in the future they could please give a 24 hr notice, beings we have not called about any issues with the septic system.

I asked if the property had been sold or being sold. No, was the response and thought it to be odd that they were having a county inspector out to inspect septic system. I know it is normally required by the lender and then contacted the county and found out they applied for a building permit.

They then showed up again unannounced last night with another person, I went out and asked what was up and he didn't say anything. So, I asked if he could please call and give 24 hrs. notice before coming out unannounced to the property and his response was "I don't have to give any notice to come on property only if I access in side".

My understanding is that 24 hrs. is required to come on property and access in side of the home. I have searched online for landlord\tenant laws for Washington State Chapter 59.18 RCW: Residential landlord-tenant act and can not get a straight and forward answer to include access on the property.

Thanks

The only advice that counts is from a lawyer representing your interests...

As far as I know there is nothing that prevents an Owner from selling their property... of course, the buyer is subject to the existing terms and conditions.

Property changes hands all the time... often the tenants never know... especially with large complexes that retain the same management.

A few questions I would have are:

What does you lease say?

Are you renting the property in it's entirety?

Generally, the resident has the right to reschedule unannounced entry if proper notice is not provided... except as specifically outlined by law... such as certain emergencies.

Seems reasonable that they cannot just decide to build on property rented to you during the rental agreement...

Do you like living there? If you do, maybe you can use this opportunity to buy the property... prices are down and not many people are choosing to sell in this market unless compelled...

Good Luck and let us know what transpires...

[simplegrinn]

Well, we found another place to live.
We have a lease option to buy and we found out they broke the lease agreement when they put the house up for sale and not giving us first option to buy. There loss our gain!

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by simplegrinn

Well, we found another place to live.
We have a lease option to buy and we found out they broke the lease agreement when they put the house up for sale and not giving us first option to buy. There loss our gain!

First Rule... always refer to the Rental Agreement

Good going on the research part!

One question... I've seen some listings that give the existing tenant right to match any offer where there is a lease with option to buy... it's used as a way to establish price...

Sounds like it would have been trying at best...

Where's the new place?