Landlord Tenant Lawyers for Louisiana

North Carolina does not require a residential landlord to maintain landlord insurance and does not require a residential tenant to maintain tenant ("renter's") insurance. However, when a residential lease agreement requires a tenant to carry renter's insurance, it will specify the minimum amount of coverage required. Generally speaking, landlord insurance covers a landlord and tenant ("renter's") insurance covers a tenant. For example, landlord insurance is likely to cover a tenant's injuries or damages related to the landlord's negligence but is not likely to cover the tenant for more general liability purposes. Ultimately, a tenant is responsible for maintaining the minimum amount of renter's insurance required by the residential lease agreement. Otherwise, the tenant may be liable for violating the lease. However, a tenant may choose to maintain renter's insurance with more coverage than required. Exactly how much coverage a tenant needs will depend on that tenant's specific circumstances.

I am a WA State attorney, and I counsel both landlords and tenants in WA who end up having landlord/tenant conflicts. It would be smart of you to have your first lease draft reviewed by a knowledgeable WA State landlord tenant law attorney. The biggest problems that arise include return of a security deposit and/or billing for additional costs after move out; tenants failure to comply with terms of the lease and/or HOA rules; and issues/questions regarding renewal of the lease. The Residential Landlord Tenant Law can be found here: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18 Two changes were made in 2023 alone. In addition, some cities, like Seattle, and unincorporated King County, have additional requirements to be aware of. You may want to consider joining an association of WA landlords - I think there's a statewide one, and there may be county or city organizations. Some of these can provide you with first draft leases and/or provide guidance, classes, and counseling. There are many places to buy leases online, but some of these don't address the fine points regarding notice to vacate or raise rent, issues arising from paying last month's rent ahead, whether or not security deposits can be applied toward the last month's rent, and so forth. An attorney who specializes in landlord-tenant law can provide you with your first lease and also be available on an ongoing basis for consultations from time to time.

A Washington State residential landlord/tenant template may or may not be reliable depending on who drafted it or provided it, whether or not it applies to a particular situation, and whether it is up to date (in 2023, WA State made several changes to the law). You can review the state law here: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18 However, some cities/counties have additional requirements and/or provisions that also must be followed. It would have been a good idea to have an attorney review the document BEFORE you signed it.

Residential month to month rental agreements and/or residential lease agreements often include terms regarding whether or not an agreement automatically renews. However, the Washington State Residential Landlord Tenant Law and/or ordinances in certain WA cities sometimes may provide the answer to your question. https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18

An addendum to a rental agreement is the same as any other terms and condition that is part of the rental agreement itself. An addendum is binding. If you are concerned about the terms in the addendum, especially since you were not given an opportunity to read the addendum in advance, you should contact the landlord in writing to express your concerns, and note that you were not given the opportunity to read the addendum in advance and do not consider the addendum part of your rental agreement. For assistance, please contact a landlord/tenant attorney.