Protect Your Rights Under Washington State Eviction Laws

Renting is a great option for many people because you can avoid many of the stresses and expenses associated with homeownership. However, renting always comes with the possibility of being evicted. If you are worried that your landlord is violating your rights, DoNotPay can help you understand .

Overview of Washington State Landlord-Tenant Eviction Laws

are tenant-friendly, but your landlord does have several rights under the law as well.

Landlord Eviction Rights

There are several reasons a landlord can lawfully evict a tenant in Washington state, including:

Not paying rent
Occupying the rental unit after the lease is complete
Intentionally/Negligently damaging rental property
Breaking the lease
Conducting unlawful business in the rental unit
Engaging in gang activity in the unit/on property

If the landlord wishes to pursue eviction for non-payment of rent, they must provide a three-day written notice to the tenant that they must pay rent in three days or vacate the unit.

If the landlord is threatening to evict you for other reasons, they must provide a ten-day notice. If the tenant does not fix/remedy the lease violation or reason for eviction, the landlord can begin the eviction process.

Tenant Eviction Defenses

If you are faced with eviction, there are some possible defenses in Washington.

The landlord evicted/tried to evict you through "self-help" methods.	This means the landlord forced you out of the unit on their own, rather than through a court order ( changing locks, shutting off utilities, etc.).
The landlord did not follow the regulations regarding eviction properly.	If they didn't give you notice, for instance, you may be able to get the case dismissed. However, the landlord still has the right to start over and follow the law exactly.
Your landlord is evicting you for non-payment of rent but you have a defense.	If you have paid in full within three days, or are lawfully withholding due to the landlord's failure to make repairs or maintain habitability, you might be able to have the case dismissed.
Your landlord is evicting you for violating the lease.	If you correct the violations, the landlord should not proceed.
A landlord is evicting as an act of retaliation.	Your landlord cannot evict you for exercising any legal rights, such as complaining in good faith to a governmental agency.
Your landlord cannot evict you based on certain discriminatory factors.	This includes race, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, or disability.

How to Avoid a Washington State Eviction On Your Own

Being threatened with eviction can be scary and overwhelming, but there are several things you can do to protect yourself before it comes to that.

Always know your renters' rights and obligations under Washington state landlord-tenant eviction laws. If you do not violate your lease and pay your rent on time, you should not have anything to worry about.
If you are given a written notice that your landlord intends to evict you, read it carefully. Make sure you understand the allegations and determine if you can quickly rectify the situation or come to an agreement with the landlord.
Reach out to local tenant advocacy groups. They can help you understand your rights if you are confused, or recommend resources or services (such as local mediation) that can help you navigate the situation.
Fight the eviction in court. If you know your rights and have a solid defense, you may try to fight the eviction in court.
Consult a local attorney. An attorney that has experience with Washington state eviction laws can help you understand your rights, provide advice and fight your case for you, though this can be costly.

DoNotPay Can Defend Your Rights Under Washington State Eviction Laws

DoNotPay realizes that it can be scary, overwhelming, and extremely stressful when you are facing the possibility of eviction. When you need help understanding or fighting an unfair eviction, we are here to help you through the process. DoNotPay's Landlord Protection services can help you:

Solve Washington Eviction Laws with DoNotPay

Do you need to fight an eviction in Washington state, but do not know where to start?

DoNotPay has you covered in 4 easy steps:

Search for and open the Landlord Protection product on DoNotPay.
Select which issue applies to you.
Answer a simple set of questions so our chatbot can collect the necessary information to create your demand letter.
Choose whether you want DoNotPay to send the demand letter to your landlord or roommate on your behalf. If you already tried sending a demand letter and it didn't work, we can help you start the small claims court process.

And that's it! You should hear back from your landlord directly once your demands are sent.

Why Use DoNotPay to Assert Your Rights Under Washington State Eviction Laws

You don’t have to suffer your landlord’s harassment. DoNotPay can help protect you under Washington State Eviction Laws because we are:

Fast- You don’t have to spend too much time looking for a lawyer to help you with Washington State Eviction Laws.
Easy- You don’t have to fill up tedious forms to report your landlord for violation of Washington State Eviction Laws.
Successful- You can rest assured that we make the best case for you.

How Else Can DoNotPay Help You Today?

Not only can DoNotPay quickly and easily act to help you protect your renters' rights, but we also have a proven history of successful outcomes helping others with many other services:

DoNotPay is ready to help solve your issues, so let us help today.