Types of Rental Agreements

Verbal rental agreements are allowed in Washington state but are ill-advised. Without a written agreement, you cannot collect a security/damage deposit, charge late fees, or enforce any specific rules that are not provided under the broad scope of the state landlord tenant act and city codes. It is essential to have a written rental agreement signed and dated by you and your tenant acknowledging the agreed upon terms and conditions. 

A rental agreement is a legally binding contract and a comprehensive rental agreement is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your property. Without a written agreement, your tenant is considered a month-to-month tenant by verbal agreement. There are three main types of rental agreements all of which are regulated by the just cause eviction ordinance:

Terminating Lease Agreement

This type of agreement is set for a specific period and the terms and conditions as well as the rent amount cannot change unless by mutual agreement for the duration of the agreement. You must give your tenant a reasonable offer of renewal 60 - 90 days prior to the end of the agreement. The tenant has 30 days to respond. You must have just causeto not offer your tenant a renewal and give your tenant notice a minimum of 60 days prior to the expiration of the agreement. 

Month-to-Month Agreement

This type of agreement is just like it states, a month-to-month rental agreement that renews monthly until the landlord or tenant terminates it. In Seattle a landlord has to have a just cause reason to terminate a tenancy. The tenant can terminate the tenancy with a minimum of 20 days written advance, notice. The notice must coincide with the end of a rental period. You, as a Landlord have the ability to change the terms and rent amount with proper notice during a month-to-month agreement.

Lease That Converts to a Month-to-Month 

This type of agreement is set for a specific period but automatically reverts to a month-to-month agreement at the of the specified time period.