Burien pandemic-related defenses.
If a tenant failed to pay rent for reasons related to COVID such as inability to work due to self-quarantine, COIVD illness, caring for a family member who had COVID, and other COVID related reasons for nonpayment this is a defense in Burien.
Mandatory language must be added to notices in Burien.
Burien Just Cause Eviction.
Residential landlords with rental properties in Burien must comply with local just cause eviction laws in addition to state laws. This is true even if the tenant is month-to-month. Just cause eviction laws do not authorize a landlord to break a lease.
Just cause includes, among other grounds, failure to pay rent and other tenant breaches of a rental agreement, or the landlord seeking to discontinue sharing the landlord’s own housing unit may terminate a tenancy.
A landlord may also evict if the landlord or immediate family member intends to reside in the dwelling and the landlord gives at least 90 days’ notice; the landlord intends to sell the dwelling and gives at least 90 days’ notice; the landlord seeks to do substantial rehabilitation of the dwelling after obtaining permits and giving the tenant at least 120 days’ notice. A landlord who terminates a tenancy under any of these provisions who does not carry out the stated grounds may be liable for $2,000 plus costs and attorney fees.
There are various other enumerated less common grounds deemed just cause to terminate a tenancy.
The landlord must have a business license if required. Failure to obtain a business license is a defense to an eviction, even if just cause to evict exists.
This short summary is not a substitute for legal advice. For questions about Burien eviction laws you should consult with an attorney.