Landlord Locking Gate Issue

Summary

Landlord restricting tenant movement by locking gate with padlock may violate Washington State laws. Contact tenant rights organizations or local attorney for advice.

Full Conversation

Is it legal for a landlord to put up a gate with padlock and not give you a key or not allow you to have a company or leave the property until he says? I live in Washington State. My landlord did this and gave the key to one tenant. We can’t leave at night and only when she wakes up to let us out. If there is an emergency we have to go wake her up she had the only key! Is this illegal? The landlord will not reason with anyone but her.
Hi Debbie, based on your situation, the landlord's actions seem questionable. In Washington State:
- Landlords must ensure tenants' right to privacy and freedom of movement.
- It may be a violation of the state's landlord-tenant laws and possibly a fire safety issue.
Consider contacting a local tenant rights organization for assistance.
How do I find out and what actions should I take?
To find out more and take appropriate action, you could:
- Contact a local tenant rights organization for advice.
- Consult with a local attorney.
- Report the situation to the local fire department for a potential safety violation.
- Lodge a formal complaint with Washington State's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.