The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) made a series of recommendations in a statement released in response to the COVID-19 crises. The recommendations included halting evictions and rent increases for 90 days and waiving late fees. One important fact overlooked by the eviction moratoriums is that many (perhaps most) rental units are not owned by deep-pocketed corporations. Many landlords rely on rental payments to meet their own financial obligations and are in no economic position to absorb unpaid rent indefinitely. The NMHC recognized that “most rental properties are owned by individuals and small businesses that have financial obligations, including mortgages, […]
Monthly Archives: June 2020
3 posts
The King County Superior Couty enacted numerous emergency court orders, some of which affect eviction cases. Here is a quick summary of a few of the key provisions from various emergency orders that impact landlords seeking to evict a tenant. This is a short summary, is not comprehensive, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Parties are required to make a good faith effort to mediate prior to setting a show cause hearing. The landlord must when moving for a hearing date file a declaration that shows the efforts at mediation and verifies the federal CARES act moratorium does […]
Governor Inslee has extended the state-wide residential eviction moratorium through August 2. A new exception is added that allows owners to give 60 days’ notice if the owner intends to “personally occupy the premises as a primary residence” or sell the property. Note that the tenancy would already have to be month-to-month (or expired). This provision does not give owners the right to terminate a lease contract early. Any notice terminating a tenancy should give the last day of a rental period (usually a calendar month) as the date of termination. The notice therefore should not give 60 days from […]