Cash Payment Notarization Guide

Summary

In Washington, landlords must provide receipts for cash payments. To notarize, both parties should sign in the presence of a notary. Illegal eviction requires a court order. Document all interactions and payments. If facing wrongful eviction, contact local housing authorities or legal aid. For tax evasion concerns, report to the IRS using Form 3949-A. Always inform parties if recording audio, as Washington is a two-party consent state.

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I am dealing with a landlord who does not laws and I want to protect myself because she only accepts cash as a form of payment if I were to get it notarized, what is the legal way of doing so and what do I need to prepare before getting it notarized?

Hi ****! To ensure your cash payments are legally recognized, you can follow these steps:
*. Receipt Documentation: Always get a written receipt from your landlord when you make a cash payment.
*. Notarization Details: Bring a written agreement or receipt to a notary public. Both you and the landlord should sign it in the notary’s presence.
*. Identification: Both parties should bring valid identification.
*. Witness: Some states may require a witness; check your local laws.
What state are you in? This will help in providing more specific guidance.

Washington

****, here are some additional details specific to Washington state:
- Washington Landlord-Tenant Act: Landlords must provide receipts for cash payments.
- Notary Public Requirements: Washington requires both parties to sign in the presence of a notary.
- Witnesses: Not typically required in Washington for notarization.
Is there a particular clause or agreement you're concerned about?

Yes I’m in the process of her trying to illegally evict me

****, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from illegal eviction in Washington:
- Document all interactions with your landlord.
- Keep copies of all rent receipts and notices.
- Washington requires landlords to follow specific procedures for eviction, including a court order.
Is the landlord following the proper eviction procedure?

****, given that your landlord is not following the proper eviction procedures, you might have a strong case to challenge this. Here are some steps you can take:
- File a Complaint: Contact your local housing authority or a tenant's rights organization.
- Consult an Attorney: You might want to seek legal advice to navigate this situation effectively.
- Court Action: You can file a petition in court to challenge the eviction.
Would you like more information on how to proceed legally?

Yes

****, here’s how you can proceed legally in Washington:
- Contact Housing Authority: File a complaint with your local housing authority.
- Seek Legal Advice: Consult an attorney specializing in tenant rights.
- File a Petition: Challenge the eviction in court.
Would you like information on tenant rights organizations or how to find an attorney?

as far as the notary goes I don’t have to pay for two notarizations. I just need the one for myself, correct I don’t need to pay for her to have one or do I

You only need to pay for one notarization. The notarization process should cover both signatures in one document, so you don't need to pay separately for your landlord's signature.
Do you need any assistance in finding a notary public near you?

OK but I don’t need to write out a copy for her and have that one notarized right

No, you don't need to write out a separate copy for your landlord and have that notarized. One notarized document with both signatures is sufficient.
Would you like more information on tenant rights organizations or how to challenge the eviction in court?

Yes ll

****, here are some resources to help you challenge the eviction and understand your tenant rights in Washington:

~Washington State Office of the Attorney General – Landlord-Tenant Resources
Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.atg.wa.gov/landlord-tenant

~Northwest Justice Project
Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.nwjustice.org
Would you like more details on filing a complaint or finding legal representation?

yes please

****, here are further details on filing a complaint and finding legal representation:

~Filing a Complaint:
- Contact your local housing authority: They can guide you on the complaint process.
- Keep documentation: Include all interactions, receipts, and notices related to the eviction.

~Finding Legal Representation:
- Washington State Bar Association: They can help you find a tenant rights attorney.
- Legal Aid Organizations: Consider contacting Northwest Justice Project for legal assistance.
Would you like more specific contact information for legal aid or steps on how to file the complaint?

Yes please and then who is my local Housing Authority and their contact information

****, here are the details for filing a complaint and finding legal representation, as well as your local housing authority information:

~Filing a Complaint:
- Contact your local housing authority: They will guide you on the complaint process.
- Keep documentation: Include all interactions, receipts, and notices related to the eviction.

~Finding Legal Representation:
- Washington State Bar Association: They can help you find a tenant rights attorney.
- Northwest Justice Project: Contact them for legal assistance.

~Local Housing Authority:
- Seattle Housing Authority
Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.seattlehousing.org
Would you like more information on any specific aspect or additional resources?

I live in Ellensburg, Washington, not Seattle

****, I apologize for the oversight. Here are the correct details for your local housing authority and additional resources:

~Kittitas County Housing Authority
Phone: (*) *-*
Address: * W 11th Ave, Ellensburg, WA *
Website: www.kcha.com

Would you like more detailed steps on how to file the complaint or need further assistance with finding legal representation?

Yes please because I also have already talked to Northwest Justice project and because I haven’t got some they cannot help me yet and I would like to get help before getting the summons. I do not want even the possibility of any eviction on my record.

****, here are the steps to file a complaint and find legal representation for your situation:

Filing a Complaint
*. Contact Kittitas County Housing Authority: They can guide you on the complaint process.
*. Document Everything: Keep all interactions, receipts, and notices.

Finding Legal Representation
*. Washington State Bar Association: They can help you find a tenant rights attorney.
*. Legal Aid Organizations: Consider other legal aid organizations if Northwest Justice Project couldn't help.
Would you like more information on additional legal aid organizations?

Northwest Justice Project already told me that they couldn’t help so yes please

****, here are some additional legal aid organizations in Washington that might be able to help:

~CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice, and Referral)~
Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.nwjustice.org/get-legal-help

~Solid Ground~
Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.solid-ground.org

~TeamChild~
Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.teamchild.org
Would you like more details on the complaint process or need assistance with anything else?

Yes please

****, here are the detailed steps to file a complaint and additional resources for legal representation:

Filing a Complaint
*. Contact Kittitas County Housing Authority:
- Phone: (*) *-*
- Website: www.kcha.com
*. Document Everything:
- Keep records of all interactions, receipts, and notices.

Additional Legal Aid Organizations
*. CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice, and Referral)
- Phone: (*) *-*
- Website: www.nwjustice.org/get-legal-help
*. Solid Ground
- Phone: (*) *-*
- Website: www.solid-ground.org
*. TeamChild
- Phone: (*) *-*
- Website: www.teamchild.org
Would you like more details on the complaint process or need assistance with anything else?

I have also gotten confirmation that this is not the first time she has done this and has done it to several other people who are considered vulnerable people. How do I make sure that I do everything I can to get all evidence needed, and what evidence would be needed to make sure that I’m Making sure that I am as safe as possible and not going to be punished for things I’m not doing

****, here are some steps to gather evidence and protect yourself:
*. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all interactions, payments, and notices.
*. Witness Statements: Gather statements from other tenants who have had similar experiences.
*. Photographs/Videos: Use visual evidence to document any relevant conditions or interactions.
*. Communications: Save all written communications (texts, emails, letters) with your landlord.
Would you like more information on how to document evidence effectively?

Yes please especially on the photos and videos

****, here are some tips on effectively documenting evidence with photos and videos:
*. Date and Time Stamps: Ensure your camera or phone settings include date and time stamps on all photos and videos.
*. High-Quality Images: Use clear, high-resolution images to document conditions or interactions.
*. Context: Capture wide-angle shots to provide context, along with close-ups for details.
*. Regular Updates: Take photos and videos regularly to show changes over time.
*. Backup: Store copies of all your evidence in multiple secure locations (cloud storage, external drives).
Would you like more information on any specific aspect?

do I need to inform her that she is being videotaped

In Washington, you generally need to inform someone if you are recording them, as it is a two-party consent state. Here are the key points:
- Two-Party Consent: Both parties must consent to audio recordings.
- Video Recording: If there is no sound, consent is generally not required for video alone.
Would you like more information on specific consent requirements or any other assistance?

What if the recordings are just my home security and it’s being recorded when she is coming into the home and harassing me does she need to know if she’s being recorded then?

In Washington, if your home security system only records video (no audio), you generally do not need to inform the person being recorded. However, if the system also records audio, you should inform her due to the two-party consent law.
Would you like more specific details on Washington's consent laws or further assistance with any other aspect of your situation?

Yes

****, here are some specific details on Washington's consent laws and further guidance:

Washington Consent Laws:
- Two-Party Consent for Audio: Both parties must consent to being recorded.
- Video Recording: Consent is generally not needed if there's no audio.

Further Assistance:
- Document Intrusions: Use timestamps and clear footage.
- Secure Evidence: Store backups of all recordings.
- Witnesses: Gather statements from others who have experienced similar harassment.
Would you like more information on how to protect your rights or need help with another aspect of your situation?

What are good communication tactics to try to get her to back down or realize that I do know the laws and she cannot take advantage of me

****, here are some communication tactics to assert your rights and indicate you know the laws:
*. Stay Calm and Polite: Maintain a respectful tone.
*. Document Everything: Mention you have records of all interactions.
*. Cite Laws: Reference the Washington Landlord-Tenant Act and specific legal requirements.
*. Seek Third-Party Assistance: Inform her you are in contact with legal aid and housing authorities.
Would you like more specific phrases or strategies to use in your conversations?

yes please

****, here are some specific phrases and strategies to use in your conversations with your landlord:
*. Stay Calm and Polite: "I appreciate your time, but I need to discuss some important matters regarding my tenancy."
*. Document Everything: "For both our records, I've been documenting all our interactions and payments."
*. Cite Laws: "According to the Washington Landlord-Tenant Act, landlords must follow specific procedures for eviction and other tenant-related issues."
*. Seek Third-Party Assistance: "I have been in contact with legal aid organizations and the housing authority to ensure I understand my rights and obligations."
Would you like more detailed guidance on any of these strategies?

Yes please and I would like to know what the RCW that she does need to abide by the correct processes

****, here are the relevant sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) that your landlord must follow:
- RCW *.*.*: Landlord's duties, including providing receipts for cash payments.
- RCW *.*.*: Regulations on changing terms of tenancy.
- RCW *.*.*: Legal procedures for eviction.
Would you like more details on any of these RCWs or assistance with another aspect?

Yes RCW *.*.*

****, here's a brief overview of RCW *.*.*, which outlines the legal procedures for eviction in Washington:
- Notice Requirement: Landlords must provide a written notice before initiating eviction. The type of notice depends on the reason for eviction (e.g., non-payment of rent, lease violation, etc.).
- Court Order: An eviction can only proceed with a court order after the tenant has been given the chance to contest it in court.
- Service of Notice: The notice must be properly served to the tenant, either in person, by mail, or by posting in a conspicuous place if the tenant cannot be found.
Would you like more detailed information on the specific notice requirements or need help with another aspect of your situation?

And the landlord duties please

****, here are the general duties of a landlord according to the Washington Landlord-Tenant Act:
- Maintain Habitable Premises: Ensure the rental property is safe and habitable.
- Repairs and Maintenance: Make necessary repairs in a timely manner.
- Provide Receipts: Give written receipts for cash payments.
- Notice for Entry: Provide proper notice before entering the rental unit, usually * hours.
- Follow Legal Eviction Procedures: Adhere to the legal eviction process, including providing written notice and obtaining a court order.
Would you like more detailed information on any of these duties?

What if she is just making up wrongful eviction requirements

****, here are some steps to handle a landlord making up wrongful eviction requirements:
*. Document Everything: Keep records of all interactions, notices, and payments.
*. Know the Law: Reference specific RCWs like RCW *.*.* and RCW *.*.*.
*. Seek Legal Advice: Contact a tenant rights attorney.
*. File a Complaint: Report to the local housing authority.
Would you like more details on how to document evidence or any other assistance?

What exactly does the local Housing Authority do with a complaint?

****, the local Housing Authority generally takes the following steps when handling a complaint:
*. Investigation: They will investigate your complaint by reviewing the documentation and possibly contacting your landlord.
*. Mediation: They may offer mediation services to resolve the issue between you and your landlord.
*. Enforcement: If necessary, they can enforce housing laws and regulations, ensuring your landlord complies with legal requirements.
Would you like more details on the investigation process or need assistance with any other aspect?

Yes please

****, here’s a detailed look into the investigation process by the local Housing Authority:
*. Review Documentation: They will examine all submitted evidence, including receipts, notices, and any correspondence.
*. Contact Parties: They may reach out to both you and your landlord for statements.
*. Site Visits: They might conduct an inspection of the rental property if necessary.
*. Mediation: Attempt to mediate and resolve disputes amicably.
*. Enforcement: Enforce compliance with housing laws, including taking legal action if required.
Would you like more information on any specific step or further assistance?

Yes please I also need the proper steps of reporting her to the IRS due to the fact that she only will accept cash payments and has told me that she does not want to report this extra income and also has refused when we have had help from like churches or The state for funding to be able to move in or rent while we are going through hardships

****, here are the steps to report your landlord to the IRS for tax evasion:
*. Collect Evidence:
- Record all cash payments made and any statements where she refused to report the income.
*. Complete Form *-A:
- This form is used to report tax fraud.
- Include details such as the landlord’s name, address, and the nature of the violation.
*. Submit Form *-A:
- Mail the completed form to:
```
Internal Revenue Service
Fresno, CA *
```
*. Optional: Anonymity:
- You can choose to remain anonymous, but providing your contact information might help the IRS if they need more details.
Would you like more specific guidance on how to fill out Form *-A or any other assistance?

Cash Payment Notarization Guide

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