Washington Eviction Notice Forms
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The Washington State eviction notice forms allow a property owner to inform a tenant of their intent to cancel the lease agreement due to a condition that is not being followed. This is usually because of the tenant’s non-payment of rent but can be for any term or condition in the contract. The landlord must follow all State laws in order for the court to accept the Summons and Complaint.
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1. Notice
Before a property owner can file an eviction suit in Washington, he or she must provide written notice of the suit to the tenant. The type of notice the landlord must provide depends on the reason for the eviction.
For failing to pay rent or creating a nuisance, landlords must issue a three-day notice (Inside Seattle – Outside Seattle), giving the tenant three days to correct the nuisance, pay the rent, or vacate. For violating the lease in another way, landlords must issue a 10-day notice (Inside Seattle – Outside Seattle) In giving tenants 10 days to correct the violation, if possible, or leave the property. If there is no specified reason for the eviction, the landlord must give the tenant 20 days’ notice (Inside Seattle – Outside Seattle).
Property owners must try to serve the notice directly to the tenant or someone of suitable age who lives at the property. If no one is home, the owner may post the notice on the door and mail a copy to the tenant.
2. Summons and Complaint
If the tenant does not do what the notice says, the landlord may then file an eviction lawsuit. The landlord must file these documents at the local court, and the court will serve copies of them to the tenant. The tenant must file an Answer to the complaint within 7 to 10 days. If the tenant fails to respond, the landlord will win the eviction.
3. Show Cause Hearing
If the tenant files an answer, the tenant should receive a Show Cause Hearing notice as well, instructing him or her of the time and place of the hearing. At this hearing, the tenant may present his or her side of the case, and the property owner must show why the tenant should be evicted. Judges often resolve the case at this point, because there are not complex issues in dispute, but if there are, the judge may send the case to a full trial. If the judge rules in the tenant’s favor, which is rare, the eviction will be dismissed.
If the judge rules in the landlord’s favor, the judge might also order the tenant to pay back rent and the landlord’s court fees. The tenant will also receive a Writ of Restitution, which instructs the sheriff to remove the tenant from the property within three to four days of the hearing.
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