As a landlord, evicting a tenant is never an easy experience. It can be costly, time consuming, and full of legal complexities. In Washington State, the eviction process can be complicated. It’s important for landlords to understand their rights and responsibilities under Washington’s laws in order to ensure that their eviction is handled properly and efficiently. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to ensure that your eviction process goes as smoothly as possible.

Being a landlord can be both rewarding and stressful. Knowing your legal rights as a landlord is essential, especially when it comes to evicting a tenant. There’s an old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The number one thing any landlord can do is to have the business side of renting property in order before it’s necessary. However, getting prepared before attempting to evict a tenant can save hundreds, if not thousands in legal fees, and prevent mistakes.

In Washington State, landlords must follow strict regulations when evicting tenants from their properties. These regulations are outlined in the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RLTA). The RLTA outlines the rules for rent increases, security deposits, and evictions, among other things. As such, landlords should familiarize themselves with this document before attempting to evict a tenant.

Tips for an Uncomplicated Eviction Process

In order to avoid any unnecessary delays or complications during an eviction process, landlords should take certain steps beforehand:

Make sure all documentation is properly completed and filed with the court prior to posting the eviction notice.

• It’s important to have evidence to support your case before filing for eviction. This includes documentation such as rental agreements, photos of any damages incurred by the tenant, and records of payment history or violation notices. If possible, keep records of communications such as text messages and emails, or take notes during phone calls and in-person discussions. Having these documents on hand will help support your claim and strengthen your case against the tenant in court.

Ensure that all notices are properly served.

That means served by the proper party and in the proper manner giving the proper amount of notice. In Washington, proper service typically constitutes in-person service of notices by a third party. Or posting a notice and mailing the same notice to the tenants. Depending on the notice there are many caveats to the number of days each notice is supposed to allow to cure the violation or before the eviction process can move forward. There are even rules about where a notice can be mailed from. Thus…

Familiarize yourself with relevant state laws. 

•  Make sure you adhere strictly to all relevant laws throughout the entire eviction process;   Have a clear understanding of what constitutes “just cause” for an eviction in Washington State; Provide written notice of any changes that are being made to the rental agreement prior to filing for eviction;   
• Be prepared for a lengthy process if your tenant decides to contest the eviction;   
• Be aware that if your tenant files bankruptcy during your eviction process you must stop proceedings that are seeking judgments immediately until further instructions are provided by a court;   
• Keep detailed records of all communications with tenants throughout the entire process; not just before notices are served.   

Consider Hiring a Professional Attorney

While many landlords decide to go through the eviction process alone. The new terrain of landlord-tenant law in Washington is full of legal nuances and technicalities that could potentially derail the entire process if they aren’t handled correctly. Hiring an experienced attorney who understands the law will help to make sure that all of your paperwork is filed correctly and on time and that any potential issues are addressed quickly. A professional attorney can also help you navigate any disputes between yourself and the tenant more efficiently than if you were representing yourself in court.

By taking these steps, landlords can increase their chances of having a successful eviction.