Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington

Re: Unlawful detainer

If it is not done correctly it could take months!

Unlawful detainer is a statutory action designed to quickly restore possession of real property to the owner. Usually can be accomplished, soup to nuts, in about four weeks.

It can also be delayed if the Plaintiff Landlord's attorney messes up anything. While the Court has limited jurisdiction to address primarily the right to possession, incidental issues such as rent due and owing are also properly before the Court. While the case is pending (if possession is an issue) rent accrues and the tenant can be found liable for the rent during the pendency of the action.

Recently, attorneys in King County are using the statutory language included in RCW 59.18.375 to get the tenants evicted without a show cause hearing if they don't either certify under penalty of perjury that there is no rent due or owing OR deposit the rent due into the Court registry. This makes it go faster.

If you want to pose a more specific question, I can probably provide you with a more specific answer. Good Luck - Powell