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Rep. Lynn Kessler, serving the 24th District Serving Clallam, Jefferson, and part of Grays Harbor counties. |
When the harasser has a key: Kessler bill provides protection for tenants
February 12, 2009
OLYMPIA – For most people, home is where they feel safe. But tenants who
are sexually assaulted or harassed by their landlords are never safe at
home, even when they lock their doors. In these cases, the perpetrator has a
key to the victim’s dwelling unit, and the state’s landlord/tenant law
doesn’t allow the tenant to change the locks.
“How could you ever
sleep? How could you live any kind of a normal life within those walls? I
just don’t think you could,” said Rep. Lynn Kessler (D – Hoquiam) before the
House Judiciary Committee today. She was testifying on her bill that would
give tenants in these unique situations more protections.
Kessler’s
bill would allow tenants who are sexually assaulted, harassed, or stalked by
their landlords to change or add locks to their unit at their own expense.
They would also be permitted to break their leases without penalty, and be
entitled to a pro rata refund for any rent already paid in the month they
move out. The same protections would apply if the victim was a member of the
tenant’s household.
The bill is one of several that Kessler has
championed in recent years to protect victims of abuse, assault, and
harassment. Previously, she successfully shepherded a bill through the
Legislature that gave victims the ability to take time off from work in
order to find safe housing and navigate the court system without losing
their jobs.
“This kind of legislation saves lives,” Kessler said.
“It may only affect a small number of people, but those who do get caught up
in this kind of nightmare need protections.”
The bill number is
HB 1856. It is scheduled for executive session in the House Judiciary
Committee on February 19.