Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington
Urgent! Deadline is Monday May 14th for answer to eviction submittal
My son was terminated from his job. His ex-employer is also his landlord. My son turned eighteen last Sept. and is very naive. He states his ex-employer told him he could still stay in the house (after his employment was terminated) free of rent. Included as part of his salary - rent free housing. My son, believing he would be allowed to continue living there, began living off money he started collecting from people he had staying there, and did not look for employment or alternative housing. A couple of days ago he was served an eviction notice which states he has until the 14th of this month to submit an answer letter to the landlords leasing agent. I have no idea if this is a form letter, what I should put in the letter, or if it will make any difference (such as buy him a little time to pull his head out of the sand and get some responsibility for his future. Can you please advise
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Urgent! Deadline is Monday May 14th for answer to eviction submittal
The RLTA does not cover persons whose housing is included as a condition of their employment.
When your son lost his job, his housing ended too.
That said, before commencing a lawsuit for unlawful detainer the landlord has to give a notice. It is a 3-day notice to leave because the tenancy is over.
If there has been no notice, there is no proper basis for service of a summons and complaint for unlawful detainer.
The summons will say the date the response is required. The response is a notice of appearance. The notice of appearance says "don't default me, advise me when you are going to court"
and his signature and his address. That's IT.
If you want him to take responsibility he should be writing this. In Pierce County, contact Volunteer Legal Services (look on line) and they will advise you.
Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell
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