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Things have not been going well for the residents of ABC Apartments.
They each received a notice from their landlord and they are not sure what to do.
They each received a notice from their landlord and they are not sure what to do.
This paper says my "tenancy" will "terminate" in 20 days!
This paper says my "tenancy" will "terminate" in 20 days!
This thing says I have 10 days to do something on it.
This thing says I have 10 days to do something on it.
What does comply or vacate mean?
I got a notice that says I have 3 days to "pay or vacate"!
it's pain
And Bo got a notice that says he has to leave because he caused a "waste or nuisance."
What do we do now?
You all have gotten different types of termination notices. Sometimes they're called "eviction" notices.
You all have gotten different types of termination notices. Sometimes they're called "eviction" notices.
Who said that?
I'm the narrator of this video series about the Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Washington State,
I'm the narrator of this video series about the Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Washington State,
produced by the Northwest Justice Project.
I'm here to tell you about the legal eviction process in Washington State.
The landlord must use a certain court process to evict you,
called an "unlawful detainer action,"
or "eviction lawsuit."
It is illegal to just shut off your utilities, lock you out, or take your stuff.
It is illegal to just shut off your utilities, lock you out, or take your stuff.
And you may have some good defenses to eviction.
For example,
you might be able to prove that you didn't violate the rental agreement
or that the landlord is retaliating against you.
But these notices do mean that the landlord may start the court process soon
so you should act fast!
Some of you may be able to stay, depending on what kind of notice it is and how you got it.
Some of you may be able to stay, depending on what kind of notice it is and how you got it.
First, it's important to know how you received the notice because your landlord is supposed to deliver them to you in a very specific way under the law.
First, it's important to know how you received the notice because your landlord is supposed to deliver them to you in a very specific way under the law.
First, it's important to know how you received the notice because your landlord is supposed to deliver them to you in a very specific way under the law.
If you're not at home, he can post the notice on your door.
If you're not at home, he can post the notice on your door.
But he also has to send it to you through the mail.
If your landlord did not give you the notice correctly, it may not be valid
and he'll have to do it again the right way.
You may have to bring this up at a court hearing.
To learn more about the proper way of delivering a termination notice,
check out www.WashingtonLawHelp.org.
check out www.WashingtonLawHelp.org.
Now let's see what kind of notices each of the tenants got.
Choose one of the characters below to learn about that kind of notice.
Choose one of the characters below to learn about that kind of notice.
Or you can also just keep watching
and all four videos will play.
The first video will start in about 5 seconds.
Red got a notice from his landlord.
This paper says I have to move out in 20 days! I don't get it because I've been paying my rent and I don't cause any trouble.
This paper says I have to move out in 20 days! I don't get it because I've been paying my rent and I don't cause any trouble.
It doesn't even say why my landlord wants me to leave!
He just handed it to me and walked away.
Red, do you have a written lease with your landlord?
Yes, but it only lasted a year.
Since then I just keep paying rent on the first of the month and he keeps cashing my checks.
Since then I just keep paying rent on the first of the month and he keeps cashing my checks.
But if the time period in your written lease is over
you may be in month-to-month arrangement.
That sounds familiar.
Yeah, I'm a month-to-month tenant I think.
Well, for month-to-month tenants,
a landlord can ask you to leave 20 days before rent is due
and he doesn't have to have any reason at all.
What? No reason at all?
UNLESS! You happen to live in certain cities, like Seattle...
Huh? I don't live in Seattle, but what do you mean?
Seattle's local law is a little different than the rest of Washington.
Seattle's local law is a little different than the rest of Washington.
Landlords in Seattle can only ask tenants (even month to month tenants) to move for "just cause."
Landlords in Seattle can only ask tenants (even month to month tenants) to move for "just cause."
"Just because?"
No, a "just cause."
A good reason.
In Seattle a landlord can only ask a month-to-month tenant to move for one of a set list of just causes.
In Seattle a landlord can only ask a month-to-month tenant to move for one of a set list of just causes.
In Seattle a landlord can only ask a month-to-month tenant to move for one of a set list of just causes.
One of the "just causes" is if a tenant has not paid all of the rent due.
One of the "just causes" is if a tenant has not paid all of the rent due.
Another just cause is if a tenant violates the rental agreement in some way.
Another just cause is if a tenant violates the rental agreement in some way.
No matter what,
in Seattle, the landlord must have a proper reason to evict the tenant
and must state that reason in the eviction notice.
But if you live outside of Seattle... "I do!"
...your landlord is not required to give you a reason if you are a month to month tenant.
Okay, so my landlord can just give me this notice and I have to move out in 20 days?!
Okay, so my landlord can just give me this notice and I have to move out in 20 days?!
Your landlord has to properly give you the notice 20 days before the end of the rental period.
Your landlord has to properly give you the notice 20 days before the end of the rental period.
You pay your rent on the first of the month,
so your landlord has to give you the notice 20 days before the last day of the month.
so your landlord has to give you the notice 20 days before the last day of the month.
For example, if your landlord wants you to move out by June 30th,
he has to give you that 20-day notice no later than June 10th.
he has to give you that 20-day notice no later than June 10th.
Okay, well,
I guess I better start looking for a new place to live, because it can take a while to find a place these days.
I guess I better start looking for a new place to live, because it can take a while to find a place these days.
Thanks anyway.
Good luck!
Be sure to check out WashingtonLawHelp.org
for more detailed information about the Rights and Responsibilities
of Landlords an Tenants in Washington.
If you are low-income,
you may qualify for free legal help from the Northwest Justice Project.
Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014
Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014
To start the intake process online, visit CLEAR* Online.
To start the intake process online, visit CLEAR* Online.
Jo got a notice from her landlord.
Oh no, things just go from bad to worse. I lost my job and I couldn't pay all of my rent after I paid my doctor's bill.
At least I paid some of my rent this month... as much I could...
Now, I got this notice from my landlord that says I have 3 days to Pay or Vacate.
Can my landlord do that?
I'm afraid so, Jo.
If you are even one day behind on paying all of your rent,
your landlord can give you a 3-day pay or vacate notice.
You then have three days after getting that notice to pay all your rent or move out...
You then have three days after getting that notice to pay all your rent or move out...
Otherwise...he can start the court process to evict you.
I really want to stay here.
I like this apartment and this neighborhood.
I have a lead on another job and my friend said she might lend me the money to cover the rest of my rent.
I have a lead on another job and my friend said she might lend me the money to cover the rest of my rent.
Well, if you can do that, you should,
because once the court process starts,
it will show up in public court records and may make it harder for you to rent a place in the future.
it will show up in public court records and may make it harder for you to rent a place in the future.
it will show up in public court records and may make it harder for you to rent a place in the future.
Ok, well I'll call my friend and try to get the rent money to the landlord as soon as possible.
Good call, Jo.
Try to pay by check or money order
of get a dated receipt if you pay by cash
and save your proof of payment just in case.
OK, I'll do that. Thanks.
You're welcome.
Be sure to check out WashingtonLawHelp.org
for more free information for Landlords and Tenants in Washington.
for more free information for Landlords and Tenants in Washington.
If you are low-income,
you may qualify for free legal help from the Northwest Justice Project.
Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014
Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014
To start the intake process online,
visit CLEAR*Online.
Sal got a notice from his landlord. "Yeah, this thing says I have "10 days" to do something on it."
It was posted on my door and I got a copy in the mail.
What does "Comply or Vacate" mean?!
It means your landlord thinks you've broken a rule in your rental agreement
and you can either stop violating the rental agreement and start "complying" with the rules
and you can either stop violating the rental agreement and start "complying" with the rules
or you have to "vacate" the premises.
You mean I have to move out?
Yes or the landlord will start the court process to evict you
Once the court process starts,
it will show up in public court records
and may make it harder for you to rent a place in the future.
and may make it harder for you to rent a place in the future.
Do you know why you got that notice?
Yeah, it says it right here! I've been smoking in my apartment.
My neighbor Jo must have told him! She's such a busybody...[muffled through wall] I am not!
Does your written lease say anything about a smoking policy?
Yeah, it says that no smoking is allowed...
See, I was gonna quit smoking, so I thought moving into a smoke-free building would be a good idea.
See, I was gonna quit smoking, so I thought moving into a smoke-free building would be a good idea.
I could still smoke outside, but when it got so cold out there
I've been smoking inside a little.
But I always blow the smoke out the window...
Well, Sal,
you'll have to comply with the rental agreement or move out.
Okay, okay, I get it.
I can stop smoking in my apartment,
or I might look for a new place to live and move out within 10 days...
or get a warmer coat!
Good luck, Sal.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
Be sure to check out WashingtonLawHelp.org
for more free information for Landlords and Tenants in Washington.
If you are low-income,
you may qualify for free legal help from the Northwest Justice Project.
Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014.
Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014.
Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014.
To start the intake process online,
visit CLEAR*Online
Bo is pretty upset about the notice he received from his landlord.
I'm pretty upset! Bo got a notice that says he has to leave because he caused a waste or nuisance.
I'm pretty upset! Bo got a notice that says he has to leave because he caused a waste or nuisance.
I don't know what the big deal is! I also don't know what a "waste" is
I'm pretty good about recycling...
Well, Bo,
in Washington there are some things that the law considers bad enough that if a tenant does them,
in Washington there are some things that the law considers bad enough that if a tenant does them,
a landlord can just ask you to leave within 3 days.
And if you don't he can start the eviction court process.
Like certain crimes involving drugs
I didn't do anything illegal like that!
But a landlord can also ask you to move in 3 days for other serious reasons:
But a landlord can also ask you to move in 3 days for other serious reasons:
Like if you cause a "nuisance"
which is doing something that unreasonably bothers your neighbors
(and I mean more than just making noise every so often)
(and I mean more than just making noise every so often)
And another legal reason to ask you to move is if you cause "Waste"
And another legal reason to ask you to move is if you cause "Waste"
which means serious damage to the landlord's property.
Oh, you mean like the big barbecue we had in the living room last week?
Yeah, I guess that did cause a lot of damage...
So what am I supposed to do?
With this kind of notice you don't have the option to stay and fix it
like you do for other kinds of eviction notices,
unless you can work something out with your landlord.
You might just have to have to move out within three days.
Because once the court process starts,
it will show up in public court records
and may make it harder for you to rent a place in the future.
and may make it harder for you to rent a place in the future.
And your landlord may charge you for the cost of repairs to the apartment.
And your landlord may charge you for the cost of repairs to the apartment.
You may have some other options for defenses,
but you should talk to an attorney
because everybody's situation is different
Mm, thanks.
You're welcome.
To learn more about the Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Washington visit:
To learn more about the Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Washington visit:
To learn more about the Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Washington visit:
www.WashingtonLawHelp.org.
If you are low-income, you may qualify for legal help from the Northwest Justice Project. Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014.
If you are low-income, you may qualify for legal help from the Northwest Justice Project. Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014.
If you are low-income, you may qualify for legal help from the Northwest Justice Project. Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014.
To start the intake process online, visit CLEAR* Online.
You can click on one of the characters below,
to learn more about a specific issue affecting residential tenancy in Washington.
This video was produced in March 2013. The laws may have changed since that time.
This video was produced in March 2013. The laws may have changed since that time.
This video was produced in March 2013. The laws may have changed since that time.
This video gave general information only--
your particular situation may be very different than those shown in this video.
your particular situation may be very different than those shown in this video.
This video is not a substitute for talking to a lawyer about your unique situation,
This video is not a substitute for talking to a lawyer about your unique situation,
it does not create an attorney-client relationship
and it cannot predict or guarantee an outcome in any legal proceeding.
and it cannot predict or guarantee an outcome in any legal proceeding.