Landlord-tenant and eviction law has been completely overhauled. New laws at every level impact the rights of landlords and tenants and the eviction process. Most of the changes are permanent.
Washington state law guarantees tenants the right to free legal counsel and requires just cause to terminate any residential tenancy.
Residential landlords may no longer evict based on a "20-day" notice. To end the tenancy because the lease expired requires a notice served at least 60 days prior to the end of the lease term, and is not always an option. If all authorized tenants vacate, residential landlords must offer other occupants (even if unauthorized) who have been living in the property for at least six months a chance to apply to join the rental agreement.
There is a litany of new local landlord-tenant and eviction laws throughout Washington. In both Tacoma and Seattle, residential landlords have to contend with a winter eviction ban and a school-year eviction ban. Laws in many localities require additional language on notices and/or additional documents to be served with notices. A landlord must comply with local laws at the city and county levels and with court rules in each county. Interpretation of state and federal laws varies in fundamental ways from county to county.
Local know-how is more important than ever when considering a landlord-tenant attorney.
This website is published by an eviction lawyer who practices in various Washington counties. There is also a lawyer directory where you may find an attorney near you in counties we do not cover. We are not affiliated with any of the attorneys in the directory nor do we accept anything of value for listings in the directory.
Any information on this website, including but not limited to any forms posted, is not a substitute for legal advice. It is always best to consult with a lawyer before taking any action.
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What are the laws/rights concerning legal adults (that do not pay rent) living with their parents?
If the person is over the age of 18, graduated from High School and is not paying rent, what are their rights and what are the rights of the owner of the residence (parent) as it pertains to the eviction of the child. What happens to their property if the parents decide to kick the […]
Continue readingCan my Landlord charge me?
Can my landlord charge me for Attorney’s fees when said Attorney did not evict me? I fulfilled my lease, and I even asked her if I owed her any more money, and she said no. Now she’s taking $250.00 out of my deposit for ‘Attorney’s Fee’s’ for things like 3-Day Pay or Vacates that she […]
Continue readingWhat legal actions can my roommates take against me?
I am on a lease, with 2 people, with 3/mons remaining.I went to the landlord’s office and told them we would be moving out by the end of April.The office allowed us to break the lease and all the roomies would have to do is sign the release form.I mentioned that I was moving out […]
Continue reading1099-c from landlord?
I received a letter from the Irs stating I had unreported income (1099c) from a landlord in 2008. It stated an amount of 2000.00 with a date of 12/31/2008. I did not receive anything from the landlord, but I did live in the house for 3 months until I was evicted for non payment of […]
Continue readingcan a landlord or manager force you to sign something that doesn’t explain anything?
we live in a mobile home park and the owner is forcing us to pay and forcing us to sign a paper from the “state” but the contract or form he wants us to sign doesn’t say anything, he comes and threatens us with eviction and with taking us to court we have lived here […]
Continue readingWhat Is My Legal Option? Landlord VS. My Visitation Right Under Rental Contract?
Recently the landlord has expressed disagreement on my visitation right and did inform my girlfriend that I can only come twice every 15 days because the landlord did not like to see me every time when my girlfriend opens the front door. The landlord said that I am here everyday and did not like the […]
Continue readingWhy is it possible in america to abuse the judicial system and render a family homeless?
Sam keller here. I am the guy who is being scammed out of his house in the town of windham. Here is an update of our lives and how it is still being ruined. Mr. Webster was finaly told by the court to post $22000.00 back rent. He did not . Court set eviction for […]
Continue readingCan my landlord charge me for this?
I moved all my belongings out and am no longer at the residence. We are in a dispute of “not giving them the proper notice”. I rented 4 weeks of July and the first 4 days of August. and moved out Aug.6 (I know if anything I owe them for that extra week though. Their […]
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