Washington State Managing Broker Practice Exam

In Washington State, a tenant can indeed accept a lease without formally signing it if they fulfill certain actions that indicate their acceptance of the lease terms, such as paying the rent. By doing so, the tenant demonstrates their intention to abide by the lease agreement, and this conduct can establish a landlord-tenant relationship without a written signature being mandatory. This principle is grounded in contract law, where actions can signify acceptance of an agreement.

The requirement for a signature is not strictly enforced in all instances, particularly when the tenant's actions clearly reflect acceptance of the lease terms. Therefore, in situations where the landlord accepts rent payments or where there is an exchange of services rather than a formal lease signature, the tenant may still be bound by the terms of the lease. This type of acceptance is common and illustrates the principle of implied contracts.

On the other hand, stating that a signature is always required overlooks the nuances of how agreements can be formed through behavior. Additionally, the assertion that a lease must be notarized is extraneous, as notarization is not a condition for most leases in Washington State. Similarly, while a landlord's agreement could imply acceptance, it doesn’t negate the fact that the payment of rent can serve as sufficient acceptance by the tenant under the law