Washington State's Eviction Moratorium Extended Through August 1, 2020

On June 2nd, Washington Governor Jay Inslee extended the state's eviction moratorium by an additional 60 days, to August 1, 2020. The moratorium, which has been the topic of recent HFO-TV segments and related lawsuits in Massachusetts and New York, is extended to August 1, 2020.





The new moratorium:

• Continues to prohibit the service of any notice where remedy may include eviction, except where the action is necessary to respond to a significant and immediate risk to the health, safety, or property of others created by the resident.
• Permits termination with 60 days' written notice of intent (1) to personally occupy the premises as a primary residence or (ii) to sell the property. Because of the timing, any termination under this section is likely to become effective August 31.
• Creates a defense to eviction if the housing provider failed to offer a reasonable payment plan.
• Exempts commercial properties from the rent control provisions where an automatic rent increase was agreed to and executed prior to February 29. 
• Adds a retaliation provision for invoking their rights under any of the Governor's eviction Proclamation or other rights provided by the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.
• Permits reasonable communications with residents to explore repayment plans.  

Read a copy of the Governor's Proclamation here.