Can I Sell My Spokane House With Tenants Still Living There?

How to Sell a Rental Property With Tenants in Spokane, WA

“Spokane Homeowners Trust REI Branded Home Buyer”

Selling a house is never easy—but trying to sell a house with tenants still living in it? That’s a whole different level of challenge. If you own a rental property in Spokane, Washington and you’re looking to sell, there are a few key things to know before listing it or contacting a cash buyer like REI Branded Home Buyer.

In this guide, we’ll break down your options, tenant rights in Washington, and how you can sell your tenant-occupied home without drama or legal headaches.


Can You Sell a House With Tenants in Spokane?

Yes—you absolutely can. Washington law allows landlords to sell tenant-occupied properties. However, tenants have rights, and how you handle the process depends on a few things:

  • Whether the lease is month-to-month or long-term
  • If the tenant is current on rent
  • If you plan to sell to another investor or to a homeowner

You have every right to sell your property—but tenants also have the right to proper notice and to remain in the home under certain lease terms.


Spokane Tenant Rights: What You Should Know

In Spokane, tenant protections have become stronger in recent years. Here are some highlights:

  • Month-to-month tenants must receive 60 days’ notice before a landlord can terminate the rental agreement for the purpose of sale (unless they voluntarily leave).
  • Fixed-term leases generally continue with the new owner—you can’t force a tenant out if they’re under a current lease unless they violate it.
  • Cash for keys agreements are sometimes used to encourage tenants to vacate early (always in writing and never under pressure).

To stay compliant and avoid lawsuits or tenant disputes, it’s a good idea to consult the Landlord-Tenant Act of Washington, or just sell to someone experienced with tenant-occupied properties (like us).


Option 1: Sell With the Tenant in Place

One of the easiest options is to sell the house with the tenant still living there—especially if the tenant is:

  • Paying rent on time
  • Keeping the home in decent condition
  • Willing to work with showings

This approach works well if you’re selling to another landlord or cash buyer who wants a rental property. At REI Branded Home Buyer, we regularly purchase properties with tenants in place and take over the lease so the tenant doesn’t have to move.


Option 2: Wait for the Lease to Expire

If the lease is ending soon or it’s a month-to-month arrangement, you may choose to wait it out and give proper notice. This is especially common when you want to sell to a family or homeowner who wants to move in.

Just be sure you’re following Spokane’s local rental laws and giving enough notice. You can check Spokane-specific updates on landlord-tenant regulations through the Spokane City Code.


Option 3: Offer a “Cash for Keys” Deal

In some situations, you may want to offer tenants an incentive to move out early. This could include:

  • A small lump sum payment (commonly $500–$2,000)
  • Help with moving expenses
  • Forgiveness of past-due rent

Cash for keys should always be voluntary, documented in writing, and never coerced.


Why Selling to a Cash Buyer Makes Life Easier

When you’re trying to sell a house with tenants in Spokane, a traditional buyer may be nervous—or their lender might not approve a loan with a lease in place. That’s why cash buyers like us are often the best fit.

At REI Branded Home Buyer, we’ve bought several tenant-occupied homes throughout Hillyard, South Hill, Logan, and even Downtown Spokane. We know how to work with tenants, buy properties “as-is,” and handle all the legal and closing details—no commissions, no stress.


Fast Facts: Selling a Tenant-Occupied House

ScenarioStrategy
Tenant is under a leaseSell to a landlord or wait for expiration
Tenant is month-to-monthProvide 60-day notice
Tenant is behind on rentConsider eviction or sell with issue disclosed
Tenant is cooperativeSell with tenant in place or cash for keys
House needs repairsSell as-is to a cash buyer

Spokane Homeowners Trust REI Branded Home Buyer

We’re a local, BBB-accredited, veteran-owned company based in Spokane. Whether you’re dealing with problem tenants, lease confusion, or just want out of the landlord game, we’ll help you sell your house fast and move on with your life. No repairs. No listings. No drama.

📞 Call us today at 509-769-3439
📧 Email us at info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
📍 Or contact us here


Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified attorney before making decisions regarding tenant rights or property sales.

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About REI Branded Home Buyer

Real People. Real Stories. Real Solutions. We’re George and TJ — two regular guys who teamed up to create REI Branded Home Buyer, a local company with one simple mission: to help people sell their homes without stress, games, or pressure. We actually met at a local real estate meetup. A mutual friend randomly shouted, “Hey George, do you want to be this guy’s mentor?” George laughed and said, “Just give him my cell!” A coffee meeting later, and the rest is history. We've been working together ever since. Our passion for helping homeowners comes from personal experience. George was once homeless, so he deeply understands what it’s like to face housing uncertainty. TJ’s family went through a crisis and had to sell their home fast — with the help of a cash homebuyer. Those experiences shaped who we are and inspired us to create a company that treats people the way we wish we’d been treated. Let’s be real: the real estate world is full of shady companies, pushy salespeople, and sleazy homebuyers who care more about profit than people. We started REI Branded Home Buyer because we believe it should be the other way around — people first, profit second. We’re proud to call Spokane home. Our wives, Jenny and Michelle, love the slower pace of life here and all the outdoor beauty Washington has to offer. George and Jenny have two amazing daughters and two dogs — they love to travel and recently visited Japan to see their daughter abroad. TJ and Michelle are outdoor lovers through and through — backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, even rock climbing. Michelle’s become quite the mountaineer! If you’re thinking about selling a house — no matter the reason — we’d love to hear your story and see how we can help.

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