Property encroachments, defined as an intrusion onto someone else’s real property, happen often. The fence you thought divided your property from your neighbor’s is actually a few feet off from the true property line. Maybe your gravel driveway has migrated over the years and now is partially in your neighbor’s front yard. And nothing quite…

On March 13, 2023, the Bellingham City Council approved Ordinance No. 2023-03-007, which requires landlords to provide tenants of rental units in Bellingham a minimum of 120 days’ prior written notice ahead of ANY increase in rent or other periodic housing costs. The requirements of this new ordinance took effect on March 28, 2023, and…

Both Washington State and federal law protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination, including discrimination that may result from municipal zoning ordinances. Because the scope of the protections afforded under state and federal law differ, it is possible for a zoning action to comply with one while violating the other. As a result, it is important…

Whether you live in Skagit, Whatcom, or San Juan County, here in the Pacific Northwest chances are there are trees in your yard, your neighbor’s yard, or a family member’s yard, and there may be no fence separating one property from the next. There is also a good possibility there has not been a recent…

Whenever real property is co-owned by multiple individuals, disputes are bound to happen. The owners may disagree about how to develop or maintain the property, whether to sell the property, and so on. The rights of each individual and how disputes among them may be settled depend greatly on the kind of tenancy at play,…

In 2021, the Washington State Legislature made significant changes to Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA).[1] One of the most noteworthy changes is a new provision that restricts landlords ability to refuse to renew a month-to-month rental agreement to when one of sixteen listed “causes” applies.[2] Interestingly this new section impacts an often-overlooked area of landlord-tenant…

It’s easy to get lost in the mountains of paperwork when purchasing real estate. One document in that mountain, called the commitment to issue title insurance, is both extremely important and guaranteed to make most folks’ eyes glaze over. A potential buyer of property will receive a commitment to issue title insurance after both buyer…

In Washington, construction contractors must be registered with the state’s Department of Labor and Industries. As part of the registration requirements, contractors must have a general liability insurance policy in the amount of $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 in property damage, and a $250,000 combined single limit. Contractors must also obtain a bond that…

Washington recently passed a new law limiting when landlords can terminate their tenants’ tenancies without cause. Previously, in most cities and counties in Washington (but not all, including Bellingham), a month-to-month tenancy could be terminated by either party with 20 days’ notice for any reason, and a tenancy with a lease for a specific time…

The Washington State Supreme Court decision Whatcom County v. Hirst, 186 Wash.2d 648, 381 P.3d 1 (2016) set off years of uncertainty for rural and suburban development in Whatcom County. Most of Whatcom County is in the Nooksack River watershed (“WRIA 1”). You can find out if your property is in WRIA 1 or a…