H-0388.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1712

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Veloria, Carlson, Kastama, Conway, Mielke, O'Brien, Keiser, Kenney and Cody

Read first time 02/03/1999.  Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing & Trade.

Changing notice requirements in mobile home park landlord-tenant relations.

    AN ACT Relating to mobile home park landlord-tenant relations; and amending RCW 59.20.090.

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

    Sec. 1.  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) 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.

(b) Except for termination of tenancy under RCW 59.20.080, a landlord shall notify the tenant in writing twenty-four months prior to the expiration of a rental agreement of an intention not to renew.

    (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 may terminate a rental agreement with less than thirty days notice if he receives reassignment orders which do not allow greater notice.

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