Recent Answers to Landlord Tenant Law Questions

Merry K.

Answered Jul 11, 2025

Under the Washington Residential Landlord Tenant Law, a landlord may not change the terms of a lease during the lease, at least not on his or her own (sometimes landlords and tenants negotiate a change). In addition, a lease is a type of contract, and one party to a contract cannot change a contract on their own. If you live in Seattle or a few other places in Washington, you have even more protection than under Washington state law. Here is a really good place to read about your basic rights as a renter. This website is written and vetted by attorneys for lay people, and I have provided this information to countless people over the years because it is reliable: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/topics/housing/renters Here is another website for you. However, I'm not familiar with this one, and don't know how reliable ti is: https://tenantsunion.org/rights Good luck to you!

Sara S.

Answered Jul 1, 2025

Hi, The answer to this lies in the lease and what you and the landlord agree to. Maryland law does not generally provide the right to break a lease for good cause. If a tenant wants to break a lease that does not have a cancellation section, Maryland law permits early termination of a lease only under certain circumstances. These include certain situations where continuation of the tenancy becomes a severe hardship for the tenant, medical situations, and certain situations where the tenant has been called to military duty. See Md. Code, Real Property § 8-212.1 . Discussing this with a qualified Maryland attorney will give you much more clarity.

Merry K.

Answered Jun 20, 2025

In Washington State, for a month to month tenancy, a landlord must now provide two months advance notice in advance, in writing. More advance notice may need to be given if you have a lease or if you live in certain cities or counties that have additional protections for tenants. Here is an excellent, vetted source for legal information - if you scroll down this page, you will find all kinds of reliable information about renters' rights: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/topics/housing/renters If you end up writing a letter to the landlord on your own, I recommend (1) remaining polite and professional; (2) Don't try to "sound like an attorney,"; and (3) mail your letter through a post office with one letter going out by regular mail and one by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the landlord doesn't see the error of his or her ways, you may need an attorney to help you. There are attorneys who specialize in landlord/tenant law, a form of real estate law. If you are low income, contact legal services or a pro bono (free) attorneys organization for free or low cost hlep. Please be aware that landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants when the tenants are simply exercising their rights. Good luck to you.

Joseph B.

Answered May 31, 2025

The question would be what exactly do you rent. Do you rent a room and the kitchen and livingroom are common areas or do you rent the entire space. You have an expectation of privacy inside the space you rent. So, for example, if you rent a single room, you have an expectation of privacy inside that room, and thus there is no expectation of privacy in the common areas. However, if you rent the entire space, then the area for your expectation of privacy is the entire unit. This does not apply to bathrooms or changing rooms or other areas where there is also a general expectation of privacy.

Michelle M.

Answered Mar 3, 2025

The answer to your question is contained in the lease. All rights and obligations of parties to a commercial lease are controlled by and provided for within the lease. If your lease provides for early termination by the landlord, then the landlord can exercise that option. If it doesn't provide for early termination and you are in compliance with the lease, then they can't terminate early (at least not without your consent). You should retain a local attorney who can review the lease and provide advice concerning your specific situation. Best of luck!

Benjamin G.

Answered Dec 20, 2024

Good morning, Your landlord cannot evict you. They can, however, provide you with a notice to vacate, Which presumably is what they have given. At the conclusion of the . Assigned for the notice, There may be a summons for eviction and a court date assigned. At that point, you will then go to court and be able to explain your circumstances and only the court can grant you an extension or evict you. If the court chooses to evict you, they will give you a 36 to 48 hour time Period to vacate. However, the court will consider all of your circumstances, and I would urge you to present your medical condition as one of your mitigating factors.