Washington Landlord Tenant Law

Archive for September, 2007

NOTE: This information in this article has been superceeded by subsequent legislation. 

See New Laws Protect Tenants When Landlord is Foreclosed

An eviction notice is required for most evictions in Washington.  However, case law establishes that such a notice is not required to evict someone after foreclosure. Twenty days after foreclosure the successful bidder at the trustee’s sale has an immediate right to possession.

If after twenty days from the trustee’s sale the previous owner is still in possession of the property the new owner must bring an eviction action to exercise the right to possession. However, no eviction notice is necessary. The new owner can start with the summons and complaint and forgo serving an eviction notice.This article is meant to convey general information, not legal advice. For advice about foreclosure, eviction notices, or other real property issues contact an attorney.

In Seattle a residential tenant may only be evicted for “just cause”.  The just causes are enumerated in a city  ordinance.  A landlord may evict a tenant in a residential tenancy in Seattle for only those causes enumerated.  A month-to-month tenant is essentially a tenant in perpetuity. Read the rest of this entry »