If you know you won’t be able to cover rent in full, there are many organizations specializing in rental assistance that can help. Start by calling 2-1-1, which helps direct Washingtonians to health and human services located in your community. Many rental assistance programs are specific to location and household. 2-1-1 operators can assess which programs you qualify for.
3. Contact your landlord, in writing. Explain the situation. If you’re going to be late on rent, tell your landlord when you believe you can have the payment. If you’re not sure, propose a payment plan. Include documentation of your loss of income, if you have it. “For landlords and property managers, the biggest fear is being taken advantage of,” said Jason Kono, a principal at Pilot Northwest. “How do you work with people who need it, while not being taken advantage of by people who see this opportunistically?” Showing that you’re being “honest and realistic about what you can pay,” Witter said, “will help the landlord see you’re acting in good faith.”
4. Draft a payment plan with your landlord. Don’t expect a landlord to agree to a payment plan that’s going to last more than a year, said William Justyk, a real estate attorney with landlord clients who also volunteers with the Housing Justice Project. But offering to pay back what you owe in six months is “reasonable,” he said. As for a short timeline, like “three months — I would encourage a landlord to accept that.” Don’t oversell your ability to pay, though. Ask your landlord not to slap on any late fees and “go out as far as the landlord will let you,” said Mark Chattin, the director of Catholic Community Services of Western Washington’s tenant law center. “We still don’t know how long this will go on.”
5. Stay in touch with your landlord. The federal government Sunday extended lockdown guidelines through the end of April, meaning local dining, hospitality and retail employees, not to mention gig workers, are likely in for at least another month of tenuous employment. “We already know that whatever we figure out (with tenants) now is likely to be entirely different in 30 days,” Kono said. As your employment situation changes, keep your landlord up to date about your ability to pay. If negotiations sour and you find yourself in need of legal advice, call 2-1-1 to learn about free legal resources for tenants.