Landlord Question and Answer Forum

What is my next step in evicting a tenant for failure to pay rent after issuing a 3-day pay or vacate notice? My tenant is holding over and won't pay, and won't leave.

Property is in Seattle, WA.

Posted by Linda M, WA on Saturday, April 29, 2017

There should be a local landlord club that would gladly provide you with good advice that is specific to the laws in Seattle Washington. Here in Oregon, I would do a no-cause termination of the lease and not even mention rent. It might feel like it takes longer, but it's a sure fire way to get them out with minimal court appearances. I've had to do them only twice, and I think it's a lower-stress route to remove problem tenants. But again, speak with your local group. They will be experts in the local laws and happy to help. Best of luck, Jeff

Posted by Jeff B, OR on Sunday, April 30, 2017

I am not sure of the laws in Washington but in Montana you have to go to your local justice or city court and do a complaint for possession. you need to have proof that you legally served them with the 3 day either by hand delivery or by some sort of certified mailing for proof that they were given the 3 day notice to pay ( certified mailing usually means 6 days because you ad 3 days for the mail system. after you get paperwork filled out i take it back to court. they charge me 50.00 for the court filing than i take the copies to the sheriff. they serve the tenant (another 65.00) than 10 days later there will be a court hearing and hopefully you will be granted possession.. than you can have the sheriff evict them... DONT wait and hope they will move on there own.....its a process but you need to stay on top of it and in a timely fashion.. in Montana the laws are totally for the tenant..I am working on one right now that after 5 years, she drove off into the sunset and let a whole house full of CRAP and 2 cats and a junk car sitting in the drive... oh and 2 months rent owing plus all the costs of cleaning the rental out and refurbishing...or you can just hire an attorney who specializes in this.

Posted by KIMBERLEY M, MT on Wednesday, May 3, 2017