On February 20th, the Washington Supreme Court ruled in Housing Authority v. Knight that landlords of subsidized properties can now issue 30-day pay or vacate notices for nonpayment of rent, replacing the previous 90-day requirement. The ruling also shortened notice periods for lease violations and nuisance or unlawful activity:
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10-day comply-or-vacate notices (previously 14 days)
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3-day notices to vacate for nuisance or unlawful activity (previously 10 days).
The court case involved Angela Knight and her children, tenants at a King County Housing Authority property. KCHA served them with a 3-day notice due to criminal conduct, including shootings, stolen vehicles, and drug activity. Evidence of illegal activity was found during an inspection. Knight argued the 90-day notice should apply, but the court ultimately ruled in favor of the shorter notice periods.
Updated Eviction Notice Timeframes in Washington:
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Non-Payment:
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Subsidized: 30-Day Pay or Vacate
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Non-Subsidized: 14-Day Pay or Vacate
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Lease Violations:
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Subsidized: 10-Day Comply or Vacate
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Non-Subsidized: 10-Day Comply or Vacate
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Nuisance/Unlawful Activity:
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Subsidized: 3-Day Notice to Vacate
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Non-Subsidized: 3-Day Notice to Vacate
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This decision benefits landlords, reducing long notice periods for evicting tenants involved in illegal activity, lease violations, or nonpayment. If you serve a notice and the tenant doesn’t comply, it’s best to consult an attorney. Reach out if you need a recommendation for an eviction attorney in the Spokane area!
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Jordan Lester, CCIM, MBA specializes in advising clients with the acquisition and disposition of multifamily investment properties. With a primary focus in Spokane County and an expert understanding of the latest market trends, Jordan is committed to maximizing his client’s financial goals to achieve their real estate objectives. To get in touch with Jordan, email jordan.lester@svn.com or call 509.496.6922