Submitted by Mediocre_Yellow4035 t3_117rwvj in Washington
Mediocre_Yellow4035 OP t1_j9dlsb8 wrote
Reply to comment by PurpleDiCaprio in Tenant rights in WA by Mediocre_Yellow4035
Right? That’s what I think! The original lease should be more applicable than the potential new lease I never signed.
newgoof29 t1_j9ff3b8 wrote
WA landlord here. A coupe separate topics possibly happening at once:
It is legal and common for fixed time leases to automatically convert to month to month agreements at the end of the fixed lease if neither party ends the agreement. This is actually in a way to protect tenants from finding themselves out of a lease at the end. You don’t have to sign a new month to month lease agreement for it to be valid since you signed the fixed term agreement which contains the clause. And often the month to month is more expensive then the fixed lease, this is also normal and legal since it’s spelled out in your fixed lease agreement.
Raising the base rent. Since you automatically convert to the month to month at the end of your lease, the landlord can raise your month to month rent at the start of any month as long as they give 60 days notice if it’s in the city of Tacoma boundary. If it’s not in city of Tacoma proper it’s 30 days. If they gave you notice 60 days before the rent went up and it’s after the fixed term lease ended, that’s all that’s required to make it legal.
You don’t have to agree with the rent change for it to be legal - but your only two options in a month to month where proper notice has been given is: accept it by not canceling the month to month in writing. Or reject it by canceling the month to month in writing and move out before the end of the next month basically. Up to you!
The notice you received said that it was the new base rent for any lease renewals. The month to month clause is considered an automatic renewal. Therefore, the rent increase does apply. And they gave you 60 days notice. It is valid.
az226 t1_j9efuyi wrote
Your initial agreement could be extended in a month to month fashion. At the original rent plus $200. Should your landlord want to increase the month to month rent, they need to give 60 days notice. The new rent for renewal notice doesn’t matter because that’s a separate issue.
newgoof29 t1_j9fl84h wrote
That’s not correct. First, you said “could be” but in reality is IS automatically renewed unless either party cancels in writing at least 20 days (tenant) or 60 days (landlord).
The notice was for price increases for future renewals. The automatic conversion of the fixed lease to a month to month lease is considered an “automatic renewal” - as stated in the clause shown by OP. The notice of rent increase would apply to the month to month automatic renewal.
It is valid. I’m not saying it’s not shitty, but according to RCW and CoT law it is.
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