
Tales From Landlord Hell
A Landlord’s Guide to Washington State Landlord-Tenant Law: True Stories, Tips & Best Practices
True stories, practical legal guidance, and useful checklists to help Washington landlords avoid costly mistakes and make better-informed decisions.
By Raymond Cleaveland, Attorney at Law
Real Cases. Practical Lessons. Legal Solutions.
If you are a residential landlord in Washington, or if you are thinking of buying your first rental property and becoming one, you need to know that most of our state’s laws—especially the newer ones—are written in favor of tenants and against landlords. What’s worse, Washington courts are instructed to interpret every statute and every rule in favor of the tenants. Washington can be Hell for landlords, but it doesn’t have to be. Tales from Landlord Hell uses true stories and real court cases to help you understand Washington landlord-tenant law. Each case is followed by an explanation of the law in layman’s terms and advice on how to avoid legal pitfalls. The lessons, tips, and tricks gleaned from Tales from Landlord Hell will save you time, money, and, hopefully, heartache.
And remember,
“If the tenant won’t pay, you better call Ray.”
“An explanation of Washington Landlord-Tenant Law that is easy to read and accessible to all. This book is a great resource for landlords.”
–Anne M. Bremner, Attorney at Law, author of Justice in the Age of Judgment
Table of Contents
- 01: The Case of the Frustrated Flipper
- 02: The Case of the Not-So-Neighborly Neighbors
- 03: The Case of the Homeless Landlord
- 04: The Case of the SoCal Shakedown
- 05: The Case of the Conniving Con Artists
- 06: The Case of the Trailer “Trash”
- 07: The Case of the Roach Motel
- 08: The Case of the Guests Who Outstayed Their Welcome
- 09: The Case of the Curbside Couch
- 10: The Case of the Serial Squatter
Practical Appendices
- Appendix 1: Thematic Index of State Law and Certain Municipal Codes
- Appendix 2: Checklist for a Good Residential Lease Agreement.
- Appendix 3: Checklist Summary of Tacoma Municipal Code Rental Regulations
- Appendix 4: Summary of Seattle Municipal Code Rental Regulations
- Appendix 5: Residential Unlawful Detainer Checklist
- Appendix 6: RCW 59.18.650 Just Cause for Eviction Summary
