Apartments for Rent in Washington

Washington state, located on the Western portion of the United States was named after the first president of the United States, George Washington. The state has fantastic views, majestic mountains and bays carved out of glaciers. It has something to offer everyone in terms of mountain climbing, rain forests to explore and some terrific farmland. The state is a large producer of many fruits and vegetables and it is the largest producer of lumber.

Washington is a desirable state to rent an apartment from simply due to its multitude of industries and semi-mild temperate climate. The weather changes depending on where in the state you are located, with the west coast being wetter and more dry, arid weather in the East. The state has world class cities including Seattle and Spokane where the majority of the population resides.

Washington is not an inexpensive state with house prices being one of the highest in the country, and apartment or condo rents hovering above the nation's average. The average salary is comparable to other parts of the country, but with the higher cost of living, make sure you have the budget for it. The upside of Washington state is there is no other state with the diversity of geography or climate with even Seattle having gorgeous views of the mountains.

Repair Costs Must Be in Writing

One thing tenants should know about renting an apartment in Washington state, is that if there are any repairs to be made, the request must be in writing. It is recommended to have copies of all documentation made to the landlord and get copies of anything you sign. You can ensure the request was received by sending it first class.

Get Receipts for Rent Paid

By law the landlord must provide a receipt of payment for rent paid or any payment made if you request it. You could also make photocopies of checks or money orders and send it along with a letter stating how much rent was paid. You can also mark the check or money order with the month's name and state that is for rent purposes only.

No Rent Control in State of Washington

In the state of Washington, when you rent a townhouse, condo or apartment, there is no rent control. When your lease term has ended, there are no restrictions on how much your landlord can raise your rent. The landlord must provide at least a 30-days written notice of increase in rent, and in 60-days written notice if renting in Seattle, WA.

Non-Refundable Fees

The state of Washington does allow for non-refundable fees for things like pet deposits. This means if you have a pet, you might be required to pay an additional security deposit in the event your pet causes damage to the apartment, rent-to-own home or condo. It will be up to the landlord, but the state does allow for non-refundable fees in this case. So it is possible you might not receive your security deposit back if you have pets.

Bring Your Documentation with You

It is a good idea when looking at rentals to bring your ID, Social Security number, bank account numbers, credit check and any references from previous landlords. It is recommended to bring either a statement of income, pay stub or hiring letter to prove you do have employment. The letter is if you are new to the area.