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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Statutory Warranty of Habitability
The statutory enactment of an implied warrant of habitability may or may not preempt a common law implied warranty of habitability.[1]
Continue readingHotel and Motel Guests
Guests of hotels, motels, and like temporary lodging are generally considered licensees and not tenants. In most jurisdictions the landowner may use reasonable means of self-help eviction to oust such guests. [1]
Continue readingEmployee Living Accommodations
Employer provided living accommodations may or may not create a landlord-tenant relationship. In many jurisdictions courts have held that housing provided incidental to employment does not create a landlord-tenant relationship.[1]
Continue readingLandlord Liability for Snow and Ice
Landlord liability for snow and ice accumulation varies by jurisdiction. There are at least two established rules. Under the older natural accumulation rule, or the Massachusetts rule, landowners have no duty to protect invitees from conditions caused by natural accumulations of snow or ice.[1] On the other hand, the rule known as the Connecticut rule […]
Continue readingRent Provisions
Preferably a tenancy will be defined by the parties in a written lease or rental agreement. Careful consideration should be given to the rent provisions.
Continue readingOptions to Purchase
An option to purchase is an irrevocable offer to sell upon specified terms during a specified period. A landlord and tenant may enter into an option to purchase within the terms of a lease.[1]
Continue readingLandlords Beware
Don’t believe everything you read. There is bad advice for landlords on the web. Some of the advice is really, really bad. First and foremost, landlord-tenant law varies greatly by jurisdiction. What is sound practice in one state may be completely illegal in the next.
Continue readingRecent D.C. Opinion on Lease and Option
In a recent opinion the Chancery Court of the District of Columbia considered what it characterized as an “unusual” and even “bizarre” question: Does the contract law of the District of Columbia require the owner of a building to accept a lease that no reasonable lessor would ever sign simply to facilitate the lessee’s exercise […]
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