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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If given a 30 day notice by a landlord, are you responsible for rent that month?
I was given a 30 day notice by my landlord at an apartment complex because they no longer wanted me there, so I left within 30 days an didn’t pay rent. Was I responsible for rent? I recently received a letter from an attorney stating that I was. Please guide me in the right direction.
Continue readingWhat to do when someone dodges service of legal documents? See details.?
I work as an apartment manager and have some tenants that cause a huge amount of problems including being raided by the police for drug use, housing criminals, having their pit bulls (that they are not supposed to have) leave waste on other people’s porches, and also throwing that animal waste at other tenants. I […]
Continue readingThe apartment I am renting is being foreclosed on Nov 28, and the landlord hasnt said anything. Advice?
I just started renting an apartment 3 days ago, and yesterday an attorney came to my door and gave me a notice stating that the house will be foreclosed on Nov 28. The landlord hasnt said anything to me about this. Also, i do know that there is a company wanting to buy the property […]
Continue readingIn California can a tenant file a complaint against a landlord prior to be served a UD(eviction) and how so.?
I sublease my place from my former roommate who moved out two weeks ago so I am a co-tenant not on landlords lease agreement and found a 3-day pay or quit nailed to my door. I tried to pay the full rent but was told to get out ASAP. No further action has been taken […]
Continue readingPost Eviction Proceedings?
I was evicted last month for non-payment of rent. I received the 24 hour notice from the sherriff. I was out of the apartment in 20 hours….. Now my only question is what’s next? I left the apartment damage free, they renovate the old apartments anyway so there goes all the carpeting, kitchen/bathroom floors and […]
Continue readingwe lost a drug nuisance suit, judge wrote the defendant entitles to cost of suit. Do we pay his attorney fee?
We sued a landlord for drug nuisance in Oakland California, we lost and we have to pay the suit. Do we have to pay the landlord his attorney fee? The judge wrote that the defendent can collect cost of suit. What is cost of suit comprised of?
Continue readingHow do you legally evict someone from a property in South Carolina?
I am a landlord for a few rental properties, and I have some tenants that signed a lease for a particular property, agreeing not to smoke in this property. Since then, I have found evidence that they have continued to disregard the lease, therefore breaking our documented agreement. I took pictures of this evidence, but […]
Continue readingLaw regarding how much a landlord can charge for a late fee?
I had an email a while ago regarding what my landlord can charge legally for turning in your rent late and now I can’t find it. Does anyone know what it is in the state of California? She is charging 10% of the total rent. Another attorney told me that isn’t legal. I would google […]
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