Tenant Options During Covid

For most tenants who contact us, the issue is going to be a drop in income and accumulated past due rent. For others it might be their rights if the landlord wants to increase the rent or sell the property.  See below for a discussion of different possibilities depending upon your situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solutions for Tenants by Scenario

Drop in Income

  1. We can negotiate with the landlord on a repayment plan, an agreed upon termination of lease, or other non-litigation work out
  2. If your landlord will not work with you on leaving we can review for your situation for the possibility of a strategic default (as you cannot afford the unit and it is a choice between eating and paying rent) followed by a bankruptcy to discharge debts
  3. If your landlord has violated any laws, we can look at claims, counter-claims, and other litigation options
  4. We can refer you to charitable and pro bono organizations that can help you to apply for rental assistance, food assistance, and other types of assistance.  See our Tenant Resources page.

The landlord claims to want to move into the unit and has given me notice to leave

  1. We can help you to analyze whether the landlord is being truthful or not being truthful.  This would include reviewing the foreclosure or sale status of their current primary home, the quality differences between where they live now and the unit you currently occupy, a review of other relevant information (such as if they are an engineer based out of Everett, they will not be moving to Tacoma to face that daily commute unless they have a work from home arrangement).
  2. If the landlord does not move into the unit after you move out or immediately places another tenant in the unit, we can sue for violations of law and seek damages.

The landlord claims to want to sell the unit and has given me notice to leave

  1. We can help you to analyze if the sale scenario seems legitimate on its face.  Is the property listed, is their current home listed, have they taken steps to move, have they lost a job, etc.
  2. If the landlord does not sell the unit or take steps to do so, we can potentially sue for damages.

The landlord will not offer me a reasonable re-payment plan

  1. We can work with the landlord and/or their attorney to establish what would be a reasonable repayment arrangement on your behalf.
  2. If there is no agreement and the landlord’s position is unreasonable, we can sue for damages and/or use it as a defense against the debt and any eviction.
  3. If the court were to find the repayment plan reasonable and order you to be evicted and pay the landlord’s fees, we can file you into bankruptcy to avoid the debt or negotiate a settlement.

The landlord has attempted to raise the rent, charge fees, and/or retaliate against me

  1. We can review your lease to ensure whether or not a pre-planned rental increase was contemplated or if the request is in violation of the proclamation
  2. We can dispute any tacked on fees for compliance with the proclamation and potentially use it as a defense or sue for damages
  3. If retaliation applies, we can bring a suit for damages.

I am considering bankruptcy because of the past due rents

  1. We offer full bankruptcy petition and litigation representation.  We can resolve unpaid rents and damages via bankruptcy or force repayment through the same.
  2. If your past due rents would be $10,000.00 or more, this is something to consider.

I would like to offer a settlement as to past due rents

  1. We offer full settlement, litigation, bankruptcy, and out of court strategy.  We can use this to help you to settle old debts or accumulating debts owed on a tenancy by identifying your best points of leverage.
  2. If settlement fails, we can represent you in litigation or in bankruptcy.