20 Days Notice (WA State)

[cbonnwa]

Does the date on which I give my notice count as part of the time required for notice to be given? I gave notice that I did not plan to renew my lease on January 12, 2001 (the lease expires February 1st, and including the 12th this is 20 days notice) and my apartment manager returned my notice letter to me, writing on it that I was 2 days late and liable for February rent. She also wrote that she would consider the notice effective for March 1, 2001. When I tried to reach her (she doesn't work out of our building) she left a message (not at the number I requested her to reach me at) saying she would try her best to rent the unit but that I should budget for February's rent. So far, she hasn't requested to show the apartment (and isn't likely to rent it, considering there is a permanent "for rent" sign on the side of our building!) Does she have a case? If not, how should I go about notifying her that I will not pay rent for February so that she will not have legal recourse to send the matter to a collections agency?

 

[djdj]

The laese probably states 20 days and you violated it....

Unless there is an emergency, like your parents are dying and you have to move back fast,etc.....Then budget to pay feb's rent, or if you have a security deposit let her keep it as full settlement and then dont move out and give her the keys untill the last day ... and get that in writing!

You could sue them in small claims court to get your money back if they re rented the place for Feb 1st, because they cannot get full rent from 2 people for the same apartment.

Next time you will be more careful in reading the documents you sign!

[Edited by djdj on 01-21-2001 at 08:27 PM]