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How much warning should I give before moving out of a month-to-month living situation?I moved in to a place with a month-to-month rental agreement. I didn't sign anything to live in the house and just threw down a deposit for the room (and rent, obviously). Now I'm applying for jobs that would force me to move out, but I have no idea when/if I will get any of the jobs I'm applying for. Do I let my roommates/landlady know I might be moving, or wait to tell them when I have a date I am planning on moving out (knowing that it might be only a week's notice)?
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2 Answers
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By law, you must give at least 20 days written notice. If you fail to do so, then you are responsible for paying the rent for the next 30 days. For example, if you give only 7 days notice (i.e. 7 days before your next rent is due), then you would be responsible for 23 days of rent in the following month.
Check out the City of Seatle Information for Tenants publication.
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You should give your roommates at least one month's notice because that's the reasonable thing to do. Since you didn't sign any agreement it's really unlikely that you could be held legally liable - even if your roommates / landlady wanted to make you pay rent they would have to take you to court, and I doubt your rent for a room is enough to make it worthwhile.
However, the flip side of not signing anything is that you also don't have much recourse to get your deposit back if your roommates can't find anyone to move into your room if you give less than one month's notice. This would also require going to court.
I've lived in group houses and a couple of times people moved out without giving very much notice - it really sucks for the people left to scramble trying to find someone to move in or having to pay more in rent.
I think you should tell them now, even if you are uncertain about when you will be moving out. If you do wind up moving out without giving a month's notice it would be cool if you voluntarily offered to give up your deposit if they couldn't find anyone else to live there, or split it with them. I think being upfront is the best way to prevent your roommates possibly being vindictive.
If you move into another group house the safest thing is to have some kind of agreement with your roommates that spells out notice required, getting your deposit back, etc.
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