A myriad of new laws was imposed during the pandemic. In addition to “temporary” moratoriums, new permanent laws were enacted at every level–state, city, county, and federal. Failure to comply with these rules could result in a dismissal in court and starting the entire eviction process over. For nonpayment of rent, residential landlords must offer a repayment plan and go through an Eviction Resolution Pilot Program. This is not just a moratorium or bridge proclamation requirement. Residential landlords can no longer serve a 20-day notice without cause. This is a new, permanent, state-wide law. Cause for eviction under state law includes […]
Seattle eviction moratorium
6 posts
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan yet again extended both the Seattle residential and commercial eviction moratoriums which are now set to expire January 15, 2022. Seattle residential tenants may only be evicted if actions by the tenant constitute an imminent threat to the health or safety of neighbors, the landlord, or to household members. The commercial eviction moratorium applies to small businesses and nonprofits. Small businesses are defined as having fifty or fewer employees. The commercial moratorium and separate Seattle laws require repayment plans for small businesses and nonprofits.
Mayor Durkan extended both the residential and small business/non-profit eviction moratoriums through September 30. The Seattle residential moratorium, unlike the state moratorium, does not make an exception for the owner’s intent to sell or to move into the rental property. The City of Kenmore has also extended its eviction moratorium. The Washington state eviction moratorium does not apply to commercial properties. The state moratorium is set to expire June 30, but Governor Inslee is considering extending it. The federal CDC moratorium only applies to residential evictions. Whether and to what extend the CDC eviction moratorium applies in Washington is the […]
There are various eviction moratoria that may apply to a rental property in Washington state, including Governor Inslee’s eviction moratorium, the CDC moratorium, and the local Seattle moratorium. All three are set to expire June 30. A new law that makes sweeping changes to Washington landlord-tenant and evictions laws recently passed the legislature. If signed by the governor, the law would confirm that the Inslee moratorium ends June 30. While most local courts have held that the CDC moratorium does not apply in Washington, this issue is currently being heard by the Washington Supreme Court. The CDC moratorium is set […]
There is much confusion over the Seattle eviction moratorium. The confusion stems from the history of the Seattle moratorium and changes made to them, and additional separate laws passed by the City creating a new inability-to-pay defense and imposing payment plans. Confusion may be in part also due to the fact there are various federal, state, and local moratoria, and sometimes people confuse and conflate their various terms. On March 14 the Mayor issued a residential eviction moratorium that prohibited eviction for non-payment of rent. She later issues a broad small business and non-profit eviction moratorium that prohibited almost all […]
Seattle passed a law that provides a defense of inability to pay for evictions based on non-payment of “rent due during, or within six months after the termination of, the Mayor’s residential eviction moratorium”, currently set to expire December 31, 2020. Not all evictions are for non-payment of rent. Note also that the Seattle ordinance may not apply to tenants who were well behind with rent when the moratorium was enacted, and the landlord is evicting only for the pre-moratorium rent. Once the eviction moratorium ends, this law would not prohibit landlords from serving a notice to pay rent or […]