spend smart & rent smart...2016/08/08 · king county solid-ground.org 206.694.6700 financial...

solid-ground.org 206.694.6700

Spend Smart & Rent Smart

Tenant Rights, Responsibilities, and

Personal Finance in WA State


Solid Ground

• Mission: Solid Ground works to end poverty and undo racism and other oppressions that are root causes of poverty

• Programs serving more than 60,000 people each year in Seattle & King County


Financial Fitness Boot Camp(FFBC)

• Is part of the Stabilization Services Programs • Financial Stability is the foundation for all of

our programs which are working to put clients on Solid Ground

• Financial literacy is integrated in our service delivery model across the agency

• The majority of our case managers have been provided with specific training around financial coaching & financial empowerment


FFBC connects with the community through

• Outreach in the community, group education, & one-on-one financial coaching

• Referrals received from case managers internally & externally

• Call - 206-694-6864 • For more information, visit our website:

• www.solid-ground.org

• Request a workshop or a one-on-one appointment

http://www.solid-ground.org/


What types of services does FFBC provide?

• One-on-one counseling • Workshops • Customer directed-meaning that services are

driven by the results of an individual assessment • We are a collaborating partner with many other

agencies which affords us the ability to refer customers to other specialized areas when necessary- attorneys, tenant rights, etc…


Credit

• What is credit? • Who looks at your credit? • How long do items remain on your

credit report? • How do you dispute errors on your

credit report? • Debit and pre-paid bank cards

versus banking institutions?


Credit

Tips on Building & Repairing Credit

• 1. Apply for a secure credit card with your banking institution

• 2. Make payments on time • 3. Keep balances low……


Credit Reports

• We direct our customers to Annualcreditreport.com to get their free credit report or

• If you’ve been denied credit –you are entitled to the information used to determine the decision about your application or

• If you’re working with a mortgage lender they can pull a tri-merge credit report for you


It is important to know what’s on your credit report • In the majority of cases –it is not as bad as

you think • Think of it as a research project • Information is power • What if you’ve been a victim of identity

theft? • What if there is incorrect information? • After corrections are made –you will have an

factual picture of your debt


Debt

• Charges sent to collections agencies from a previous landlord will affect your credit report

• How to negotiate debt • What to do when contacted by a

collection agency • Debt validation • Bottom line in dealing with debt

negotiation


Debt Reduction

• Action taken to reduce & eliminate the debt you owe

• A financial action plan can be created to help you stay on track with your goals which can consist of: • Consistent payments • Debt consolidation • Bankruptcy (referral to an attorney-we do not give

legal advise) • Balance transfer • Credit improvement action plan


Debt Reduction

• Many customers can reduce debt by setting goals. Meeting with their counselors on a regular basis is a way to incorporate friendly & gentle accountability into their plan as a way to reach their goals

• We also assist with debt negotiation-it can be overwhelming to talk with collectors and not know what your rights around bill collection and/or disputing are


Tenant Services

• Tenant Services Hotline • M & Th 10:30AM-4:30PM, W 10:30AM-1:30PM

• Information about tenant rights under state laws and local municipal codes

• Discuss your situation and brainstorm actions • Community free legal resources

• Rent Smart Workshops • Legislative advocacy

* No financial rental assistance available


RCW 59.18

Our counselors cannot act as attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. Counselors

however are trained in

landlord/tenant laws in

Washington State and can provide

general information

concerning your rights and

responsibilities. Information is not

intended as a substitute for specific legal

advice.

•Washington State Residential Landlord Tenant Act


Putting laws in perspective

• Landlord-Tenant laws are self-enforced • No regulating body overseeing landlords, or

ensuring safe residences and ethical business practices are ethical

• Landlord’s main interest is often profit • Landlord-tenant power imbalance • Better understanding of laws helps tenants

assert their rights


Overcoming Housing Barriers

• Rental History: • Lack of recent rental history

• Get references from other sources (i.e. former landlords, employers, case managers, transitional programs, volunteer experience, etc.)

• Eviction Filings • Evictions are public records and are never taken off your record

once filed • Even if you prevailed in court, the eviction filing can be

accessed by landlords and used to deny housing • Wrongful evictions – where the landlord attempted to evict the

tenant but the tenant won in court – also remain on your public record

• Check your record to see if there is an eviction on file – www.courts.wa.gov

http://www.courts.wa.gov/


New Law (ESB 6413) All eviction won’t be treated equally! • Effective June 9, 2016

• Creates “order for limited dissemination” of UD filings

• Tenant-screening company may not disclose existence of unlawful detainer case on report pertaining to tenant

• Tenant-screening company cannot use in scoring or making recommendation

*May apply to previously filed evictions! • Does not remove court record from public access • Prohibits disclosure in tenant-screening reports only • Order must be in writing

*Contact consumer reporting agency that is included in landlord’s pre- screening notification


Overcoming Housing Barriers

• Criminal Records • Some landlords may deny you regardless of the nature of the crime, the

circumstances, or the amount of time that has passed since the charges occurred • Know policy ahead of time

• Ask landlord what would be an automatic denial of an application? • If you have a criminal history, ask how far they check back

• Letters of reference • Prepare letter of mitigation factors • Arrest is not enough – possible fair housing violation • Expunge your record

• ACLU of Washington’s Criminal Records Project - 206.624.2180,10:00—3:00, T - Th. • Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity

• Re-entry Clinic of Columbia Legal Services – 206.287.8625 • Reasonable Accommodation if related to disability (drug addiction)

• Seattle is trying to pass an ordinance to make having a criminal background a protected class – this would mean landlords could not solely deny housing based on your record • Fair and Accessible Renting for Everyone (FARE) http://www.fareseattle.org/


Housing Search

• Housing Resources • Washington State 2-1-1 • Housing Search NW:

www.housingsearchnw.org • Apartment Finder:

www.aptfinder.com • Craigslist: www.craigslist.org • Padmapper: www.padmapper.com • Submit Applications for Subsidized

Housing

http://www.housingsearchnw.org/

http://www.aptfinder.com/

http://www.craigslist.org/

http://www.padmapper.com/


Housing Search - Tips

• Find a landlord who’s willing to work with you • Some individual landlords will be more flexible than large management

companies

• Get support • Case managers can be a great resource for advocating for you with

landlords or assisting with finding available units

• Prepare questions regarding the property • Are utilities included? Size of unit? Are pets allowed? • Amenities that are important to you? E.g. Close to bus line, washer and

dryer on property? • What would be an automatic denial of an application?

• Research the housing and management • Yelp • Better Business Bureau (206.431.2222) • www.apartmentratings.com


Housing Search

• Rental Resume • Treat the application process as a job

application • Gather list of references and letters of

support • Know and understand what’s on your

record • Be prepared to respond to and explain any

concerns • Present other positive information to

assure the landlord that you will be a responsible tenant


Fair Tenant Screening Act

• Type of information they will access (i.e. credit history, evictions, etc.)

• Information that may result in denial

• Contact info for screening company

• Right to a free copy of the report if you are denied

• Right to dispute accuracy *Order for limited dissemination

• Landlords can only charge the actual costs of screening (about $20-$70)

• Landlords can only charge a screening fee if they have provided written notice of what the screening entails as described above

• Some landlords may accept portable tenant screening report

Landlord must provide in writing: Fees:


Top 5 Tips for Tenants!

1. Be proactive! Know your rights under the law and how to assert them 2. You must be current in rent to assert your rights under the law 3. Don’t withhold rent over repairs; the landlord could evict you for nonpayment of rent 4. Communicate in writing. Create a file, keep copies of receipts, notices, etc. 5. Read the rental agreement before signing and view the actual unit you are moving into


Fair Housing Laws

• The Fair Housing Act provides protection from discrimination

• A landlord can’t single you out from others and treat you differently if you are included in a protected class

• Protected classes of persons or personal status • Federal • State • City


Fair Housing Laws

• What can discrimination look like? • Preferential advertising • “Steering” • Refusal to rent • Unreasonable occupancy limits • Exclusion of children • Refusal to allow reasonable

accommodations • Harassment


Before you move in …

• How much is rent? When is it due each month?

• How much is the deposit? Are there other fees?

• Who pays utilities? How are they billed? • What are the rules of the tenancy?

• Pets, guests, parking, etc.

• Have you looked at the actual unit you are moving into and read the lease?


Why is it important to create a budget

• To reduce stress, anxiety, and fear • To understand and see where your money is

going • To make adjustments according to your

situation • To gain a sense of financial empowerment


Savings

• Now that you have achieved your goal of eliminating your debt – what’s next? • Let’s look at your goals

• Is homeownership for you and your family? • Do you have children who need a college fund? • Do you need to replace your car? • What about a vacation? • What are your short, mid and long-term goals?


Savings

• Are you invested in your company’s 401K plan? • Have you thought about retirement? • Do you have parents who may need your

assistance due to medical issues? • What about long term care for you and/or your

partner or spouse?


Budgeting

• What are your short & long term financial goals?

• Benefits of writing and tracking your monthly spending habits & living on a budget

• Prioritize a personal savings plan • How to save money for move-in costs • How to save money for emergencies,

holidays, & fun things


Rental Agreements

• Landlord cannot terminate tenancy or change rules or raise rent during the lease term

• A lease is a binding contract. Both parties responsible for fulfilling the term. Breaking a lease can be costly for tenants

• Terms of lease, (including e.g. rent increases, can be changed with 30 days written notice • Seattle -Only if units comply with

minimum rental standards

• Either party can terminate with 20 days written notice before end of rental period • Seattle Just Cause

Fixed Term Lease Month to Month


Security & Damage Deposits

• What does a landlord have to provide if charges a deposit ? • Written rent agreement with terms and conditions of deposit

• Walk-through and initial condition checklist

• What can your landlord withhold from your deposit?

• Money for damages caused by tenants or invited guests

• Deposit cannot be withheld for ‘normal wear and tear’

• After you move out, how soon must a landlord return a deposit?

• Landlord has 21 days* to refund the deposit or send an itemized statement of why any portion of your deposit is being withheld *New law - Old deadline of 14 days may apply in some cases!

• What do you do if you don’t receive your deposit back?

• Demand Letter and Small Claims Court if needed


Repairs

• Why is it important to notify the landlord as soon as you notice a problem? • Once the landlord receives a written request, he or she must begin to fix the problem

within a certain time frame

• How soon must a landlord begin making repairs? • 24 hours: if deprived of hot & cold water, electricity, heat, or other things imminently

hazardous to life • 72 hours: if deprived of plumbing fixtures, refrigerator, oven or other appliances supplied

by the landlord • 10 days: for all other repairs

• What are your options if repairs are not made? • If your landlord does not begin repairs within the given timeframe or complete

repairs in a “reasonable time”, you may: • Make the repair yourself or hire someone to do it & deduct the cost from your rent • Break your lease & move • Put rent in escrow • Seek a court order for reduced rent * Make sure you speak with an attorney prior to pursuing any of the options!


Landlord Entry

• How much notice must a landlord provide before entering your unit? • In non-emergency situations, a landlord must give:

• 48 hours written notice to enter your unit • 24 hours notice to show the unit to prospective tenants or

buyers • Written notice must give exact time & date of entry

• Landlord may enter a unit without the tenant’s consent in case of emergency or abandonment

• What action can you take when privacy laws are violated? • After written notice of privacy violation, the tenant

can collect $100 per violation from landlord • Tenant must be reasonable in providing access to

landlord or can be sued also for $100 per violation


At the end of your tenancy … • How much notice must you provide to the landlord before moving out?

• In a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give 20 days written notice before the end of the rental period to terminate a tenancy

• Improper notice or not moving out by the deadline may cost a tenant an entire month of rent • In Seattle, a landlord must have “Just Cause” to terminate

• What are the proper steps a landlord must take to process an eviction?

• Pre-eviction Notice • 3 day notice to pay or vacate – for non-payment of complete rent amount by the due date • 10 day notice to comply or vacate - if tenant has not complied with rules of the rental agreement • 3 day notice for Waste or Nuisance – for excessive damage to unit or illegal activities

• Lawsuit for Unlawful Detainer • Summons & Complaint

• Must answer or landlord can get judgment against tenant by default • Order to Show Cause Hearing • Writ of Restitution

The eviction process takes approximately three weeks

** If you received any of the above notices, seek legal assistance immediately!**

spend smart & rent smart...2016/08/08 · king county solid-ground.org 206.694.6700 financial...

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