Can we require our renters to leave for our son's wedding weekend?

Full question:

We have a rental unit in Chelan, Washington. We lease the upper unit to a family and we use the lower unit for ourselves in the summer time, mostly weekends. We share the yard and waterfront with the renters. They have 3 loud kids and a pit bull. Not crazy about the family anyway. Question is my son is getting married in July next year. I want the renters to be gone the weekend as we will be having a large family gathering and wedding events. The renters are getting ready to sign a new lease. Can we require them to be gone this wedding weekend as a restriction in the lease? Or any ideas?

Answer:

Your situation involves a duplex where you use one unit seasonally while leasing the other. The ability to restrict the renters' occupancy during your son's wedding weekend largely depends on whether their unit is their primary residence or a seasonal rental.

If the rented unit is the tenants' primary residence, Washington law (RCW Chapter 59.18) generally does not allow landlords to exclude tenants from their unit for specific dates. However, if the unit is used seasonally by the tenants, you might have more flexibility to set conditions in the lease, including requiring them to vacate for a specific weekend.

Given the complexities of landlord-tenant law, especially regarding primary versus seasonal residences, it’s advisable to consult a licensed real estate attorney in Washington before taking any action.

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

In general, a landlord cannot evict a tenant for a specific event or occasion, such as a wedding, if the unit is their primary residence. Washington law protects tenants' rights to occupy their rented space. However, if the rental is seasonal and not the tenant's primary residence, the landlord may have more flexibility in setting conditions in the lease. Always consult a legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.