Some tenants avoid service of the initial eviction lawsuit pleadings. The initial pleadings are a summons and a complaint. The summons and complaint must be served by a disinterested non-party (not the landlord) and must be placed into the hands of a resident of the rental property. If the tenant avoids service—a common problem—once the process server makes several attempts at personal service the landlord can file a motion in court to allow service of the summons and complaint by posting and mailing. Service of the summons and complaint is only legally valid if there is a court order. (This […]
Monthly Archives: November 2017
2 posts
Seattle landlords are required to give all residential tenants a tenant information packet and voter registration information. The City has combined the tenant information packet and the voter registration packet into one packet. [1] If the landlord fails to provide the tenant information and voter registration packet, the tenant may give notice and terminate the tenancy. The tenant may also sue the landlord for actual damages, attorney fees, and monetary penalties of up to $1,000.[2] This rule applies to all residential tenancies in Seattle, including oral agreements and/or month-to-month agreements. If you have questions about landlord-tenant law you should consult with an […]