A Seattle law provides a defense to eviction in many residential tenancies between December 1 and March 1.
The law applies to tenants who are moderate-income and below as statutorily defined. The local ordinance is not perfectly clear on the statutory definition. Some courts accept legal arguments that render the winter eviction ban very narrowly. Consult with an attorney for details.
There are several exceptions. Some of the more important ones include:
- The winter eviction law does not apply to landlords with fewer than five rental units in Seattle.
- A landlord may terminate a month-to-month tenancy and evict
- if the owner or an immediate family member intends to reside in the rental (with 90 days’ notice);
- if the owner intends to sell a single-family home (with 90 days’ notice);
- if the owner wishes to discontinue sharing his/her own housing unit.
- the tenant creates a nuisance, operates an illegal business, or engages in drug activities.
There are other, less common exceptions to the eviction ban.