CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5044

Chapter 7, Laws of 2003

58th Legislature
2003 Regular Session



ARMED FORCES--TENANCY TERMINATION



EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/24/03

Passed by the Senate February 11, 2003
  YEAS 49   NAYS 0

BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
Passed by the House March 15, 2003
  YEAS 94   NAYS 0

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


 
CERTIFICATE

I, Milton H. Doumit, Jr., Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5044 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth.

MILTON H. DOUMIT JR.
________________________________________    
Secretary
Approved March 24, 2003.








GARY F. LOCKE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
March 24, 2003 - 11:28 a.m.







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5044
_____________________________________________

Passed Legislature - 2003 Regular Session
State of Washington58th Legislature2003 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Roach, Winsley, Kastama and Schmidt)

READ FIRST TIME 01/23/03.   



     AN ACT Relating to giving notice of the termination of a tenancy; amending RCW 59.18.200, 59.18.220, and 59.20.090; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 59.18.200 and 1979 ex.s. c 70 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) When premises are rented for an indefinite time, with monthly or other periodic rent reserved, such tenancy shall be construed to be a tenancy from month to month, or from period to period on which rent is payable, and shall be terminated by written notice of twenty days or more, preceding the end of any of ((said)) the months or periods of tenancy, given by either party to the other.
     (b) Any tenant who is a member of the armed forces, including the national guard and armed forces reserves, or that tenant's spouse or dependant, may terminate a rental agreement with less than twenty days' notice if the tenant receives reassignment or deployment orders that do not allow a twenty-day notice.
     (2) Whenever a landlord plans to change any apartment or apartments to a condominium form of ownership or plans to change to a policy of excluding children, the landlord shall give a written notice to a tenant at least ninety days before termination of the tenancy to effectuate such change in policy. Such ninety-day notice shall be in lieu of the notice required by subsection (1) of this section((: PROVIDED, That)). However, if after giving the ninety-day notice the change in policy is delayed, the notice requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall apply unless waived by the tenant.

Sec. 2   RCW 59.18.220 and 1973 1st ex.s. c 207 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In all cases where premises are rented for a specified time, by express or implied contract, the tenancy shall be deemed terminated at the end of such specified time.
     (2) Any tenant who is a member of the armed forces, including the national guard and armed forces reserves, or that tenant's spouse or dependent, may terminate a tenancy for a specified time if the tenant receives reassignment or deployment orders. The tenant shall provide notice of the reassignment or deployment order to the landlord no later than seven days after receipt.

Sec. 3   RCW 59.20.090 and 1998 c 118 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Unless otherwise agreed rental agreements shall be for a term of one year. Any rental agreement of whatever duration shall be automatically renewed for the term of the original rental agreement, unless a different specified term is agreed upon.
     (2) A landlord seeking to increase the rent upon expiration of the term of a rental agreement of any duration shall notify the tenant in writing three months prior to the effective date of any increase in rent.
     (3) A tenant shall notify the landlord in writing one month prior to the expiration of a rental agreement of an intention not to renew.
     (4)(a) The tenant may terminate the rental agreement upon thirty days written notice whenever a change in the location of the tenant's employment requires a change in his residence, and shall not be liable for rental following such termination unless after due diligence and reasonable effort the landlord is not able to rent the mobile home lot at a fair rental. If the landlord is not able to rent the lot, the tenant shall remain liable for the rental specified in the rental agreement until the lot is rented or the original term ends;
     (b) Any tenant who is a member of the armed forces, including the national guard and armed forces reserves, or that tenant's spouse or dependent, may terminate a rental agreement with less than thirty days notice if ((he)) the tenant receives reassignment or deployment orders which do not allow greater notice. The tenant shall provide notice of the reassignment or deployment order to the landlord no later than seven days after receipt.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.


         Passed by the Senate February 11, 2003.
         Passed by the House March 15, 2003.
         Approved by the Governor March 24, 2003.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 24, 2003.