Tenant Rights During Covid

The Washington State Governor issued additional protections for Tenants that are currently extended until October 15th, 2020. This may be extended again, however, for now it is best to assume that will be the end date. See below for a more detailed review.

A link can be found here: WA Governor’s eviction moratorium.

In summary, the most important protections are:

Prohibition against Eviction unless:
1. It is necessary to respond to a significant and immediate risk to the health, safety, or property of others created by the resident;
  - Tip: If you did not create the issue or if the issue is not significant or immediate, this would not apply
2. Upon 60 days’ written notice of intent, the landlord indicates they intend to occupy the residence as a personal, primary residency, or;
  - Tip: It is unlikely in most scenarios a landlord is going to actually move out of wherever they live into a rental. Check their social media, their job, other info to see if it is likely.
3. Upon 60 days’ written notice of intent, the landlord indicates they intend to sell the property.
  - Tip: This is the most likely and potentially legitimate scenario. However, see if they are listing the property and if they are re-adverstising for rental. If you do move out, drive by and see how soon it is occupied. Getting you out under false pretenses can be actionable.

Landlords, property owners, and property managers are prohibited from assessing, or threatening to assess, late fees for the non-payment or late payment of rent or other charges related to a dwelling or parcel of land occupied as a dwelling, and where such non-payment or late payment occurred on or after February 29, 2020

Landlords, property owners, and property managers are prohibited from assessing, or threatening to assess, rent or other charges related to a dwelling or parcel of land occupied as a dwelling for any period during which the resident’s access to, or occupancy of, such dwelling was prevented as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The landlord must offer a reasonable repayment plan or the debt is not enforceable and is a defense against eviction
- Tip: The reasonability is based off of your economic, health, and personal situation. If you were furloughed for three months and they demand all of it in three months, that is likely not reasonable.

Landlords, property owners, and property managers are prohibited from increasing, or threatening to increase, the rate of rent for any dwelling or parcel of land occupied as a dwelling.
- Tip: This applies to residential and commercial properties but does not apply if a rent increase was already included in the lease prior to Covid.

Landlords, property owners, and property managers are prohibited from retaliating against individuals for invoking their rights or protections under Proclamations 20-19