Eviction Process Washington State

Summary

The user is facing eviction due to non-payment of rent. The landlord provided a 14-day notice to pay or vacate. However, the landlord allegedly changed the locks to the building and the users storage area, preventing the user from vacating the premises. The user has documented these incidents and reported them to the police. The user has sought legal assistance from the Northwest Justice Project and the eviction help line but is still waiting for representation. The user has a hearing scheduled and needs to file a response to the eviction summons. The user also reported other issues with the property and the landlord, including theft of personal items, loss of food due to a power outage caused by the landlords maintenance person, and lack of repairs. The user has documented these issues and reported them to the police. The user is considering filing a small claims lawsuit for the loss of property and is seeking advice on how to proceed.

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Trena Mowitch
Nice to meet you, Trena Mowitch. Could you please describe the legal issue you're facing?
Eviction summons
What is the reason stated in the eviction summons? In Washington, landlords must provide a valid reason such as non-payment of rent or violation of lease terms.
Non payment of rent
In Washington:

- Landlords must provide a *-day notice to pay or vacate.
- If rent isn't paid, eviction may proceed.

King County Superior Court: * 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*
I was given a 14 day pay or vacate. I was trying to comply however the landlord changed the locks and i could not get into the apartment building and also my landlord changed the locks for the downstairs where my storage is and dod not give me a key
Did you inform your landlord about your intention to pay within the *-day period? In Washington, it's illegal for landlords to change locks without a court order.
I wasnt paying i was vacating. I just paid * dollars in back rent the next month she gave me the 14day pay or vacate when the locks were changed i called the cops but they did not help me
Did you receive any written notice from your landlord about the lock change or was there a court order for the same?

In Washington:
- Landlords cannot change locks without a court order.
- Illegal lockouts can be reported to local law enforcement.
No there was not a court order and as i was leaving the building the day the locks were changed the landlord was at the bottom of the staris and she said nothing about changing the licks. It was a month before when she changed the locks to the storage area. And i have asked several times for a key but still did not get one
Did you document these incidents and do you have any proof of your requests for the keys? In Washington, landlords cannot change locks without a court order.
Yes i have them documented on my calender and i had a police report made when i was locked out
Have you considered taking this matter to court?

In Washington:
- Tenants can sue landlords for illegal lockouts.
- King County Superior Court: * 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*.
Yes but i do not have legal counsel yet. I contacted the NWJP and i have not gotten a return call if they are taking my case. I have a notice of apperamce due on the 6th of october * and a hearing on october 9th * and dont know what to do.
Have you tried reaching out to other legal aid organizations or pro bono attorneys in your area?

In Washington:
- Legal aid services can provide free or low-cost legal help.
- King County Bar Association Pro Bono Services: * 5th Ave, Suite *, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*.
No. I was told by the NWJP in thurston county that someone will contact me so im waiting to hear from them. But time is running out for me to file my response
What is the exact date you received the eviction summons? In Washington, you typically have 3 days to respond to an eviction notice.
It was over a week ago i called the NWJP and i had to go thru the screening. Then i spoke to an attorney who i discussed the lock out she wrote a lwtter to the landlord about it was illegal for her to change locks then i hot rhe eviction papers it was like she was retaligating against me for contacting an attorney who told her what she did was illeagal the attornet told me if i hot eviction papers to contact the eviction help line asap which i did. And now i am running out of time and dont know if they are representing me or not
Have you received any communication from the eviction help line or NWJP since you contacted them?

In Washington:
- Legal aid services can provide free or low-cost legal help.
- King County Bar Association Pro Bono Services: * 5th Ave, Suite *, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*.
Yes they referred me to thurston county when i spoke to them rhey did their screening and said they would get bavk to me and its been a week and nothing more from them
Have you tried reaching out to them again for an update on your case? In Washington, you can also contact Thurston County Superior Court: * Lakeridge Dr SW, Olympia, WA *, (*) *-* for further assistance.
I tried to call but got no answer. I was gonna try again today. They said that someone will contact you but nothing
Have you considered filing your response to the eviction summons on your own while you wait for legal assistance?
I dont know how to fo that
In Washington:

- You can file a response at the court where the eviction was filed.
- King County Superior Court: * 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*.
It wasn't that I was trying not to do the 14 day. Payer vacate because I was trying to get out. But since she changed the locks. I couldn't get to my stuff and so I couldn't leave. Because I wasn't leaving my stuff there. And she also changed the she turned off. My hot water 1 day so I was without hot water for a few days. One of the rooms to the house is it caught on fire a couple years ago, and the wall still has not been fixed. There's a lot of issues with the reason why I was moving out with the 14 day pair vacate. But it was like she just retaliated against me for for talking to the attorney so it wasn't that I wasn't trying to vacate the purposes it was just I wasn't leaving my stuff there
Did you document the issues with the property and inform your landlord about them?

In Washington:
- Landlords are required to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition.
- Tenants can report violations to local health or building code departments.
I did document these issues and I did talk to the landlord about it. She refused to do nothing about the situation. She hired a home sweet home to take care of her rental issues, but home sweet home didn't do anything about it. Neither they were actually quite rude. When I spoke to the Northwest Justice project. I informed the lady that the attorney * that I spoke to who wrote the letter to the a church to the landlord. About the lock that was illegal and there have been so many issues with my landlord throughout this whole time that I felt that the best thing that I had going for me was just to vacate the premises when she gave me the 14 day. Pay your vacafter that she, that was when she changed the locks and I couldn't get my stuff out. So I didn't know what to do as far as you know how to file anything in court about all this stuff or what my options were. On all the issues that I had with my landlord. There have been several issues about her maintenance person. Taking the locks off the doors downstairs and my stuff. Getting stolen, I've had over $* worth of tools stolen from my storage unit downstairs. I've had a motorcycle stolen out of my garage that had locks on it, but she had her maintenance. Person removed the locks, so now my stuff got stolen, the landlord is pretty. I'm not taking care of her building very well and I just I needed to speak to someone about what my actual legal issues and options. We're, and I don't know who to talk to you. Because I haven't heard back from an attorney yet. That I was told to call.
Did you report the thefts to the police and do you have any documentation or proof of these incidents?

In Washington:
- Tenants can sue landlords for property damage or theft due to landlord's negligence.
- King County Superior Court: * 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*.
I called the cops reported the theft they came over. They didn't look around really at anything. They asked me if I had any serial numbers so I gave them the list. Of serial numbers of the tools that were stolen and the other items and then and then that was it so. Yes, I did have that documented with the police. Then there was another occasion when I had to speak with my landlord about. I was gone for * weeks at work in Seattle when I came back. I found out that all my meat in my freezer which was like $* worth of elk meat. I just had process. Dear meat fish berries that I had bought purchase from Berry farms and stuff. And I guess the downstairs flooded and the maintenance person took it upon himself to go dig into our stuff. Found a subpump that didn't work. It shorted out our fuse panel. And since he couldn't get into our laundry room. I didn't know that the breakers flipped. And then I lost on all of my dear meeting stuff. When I spoke to the landlord. She said that it's not her responsibility or her. She doesn't have anything to do with it. Because the maintenance guy that works there doesn't work for her. It's not hit her employee which she said she only hired him to redo. The upstairs apartment comp building or the upstairs apartment. But she, hes not an employee. So she's not responsible for the damage that he caused to my stuff.
Did you document the loss of your food and the incident with the maintenance person?

In Washington:
- Landlords are responsible for the actions of their employees or contractors.
- Tenants can sue for damages caused by landlord's negligence.
- King County Superior Court: * 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*.
I did, but he doesn't feel that hes responsible neither he tries to blame it on somebody else that was living in my apartment at the time watching my stuff, but this person didn't go downstairs digging in my stuff to get the stub pump out to plug it in to drain out the downstairs. That was his doing, but he says hes not responsible for a neither, and therefore that's the reason why I got hold of the landlord to ask her about it, and she just says it wasn't. It's not her responsibility and she's not paying me back for any of it. And there's nothing I can do about it, she said.
Did you report this incident to the police or any other authority? In Washington, landlords are responsible for the actions of their contractors. You may have a case for negligence. King County Superior Court: * 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*.
I did, and they said that well. There's nothing we can do, it's a civil matter.
Have you considered filing a small claims lawsuit for the loss of your property? In Washington, small claims court can handle cases up to $*,*. King County District Court: * 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA *, (*) *-*.
No I haven't heard anything back Back from them other than I spoke to a lady. The other day when I called and left the message that I needed help. And she said that my case had been referred to Thurston County. But I just spoke that Thursday county the day before and they told me that I was waiting to hear back from them again. So I've been waiting all week and still haven't heard anything back from them.
Have you tried reaching out to them again for an update on your case?

Thurston County Superior Court:
- Address: * Lakeridge Dr SW, Olympia, WA *
- Phone: (*) *-*
No i have not. The number they gave me goes back to the same person who days soneone will be contacting you
It seems like you're having trouble getting a response. Have you considered contacting the Thurston County Superior Court directly for an update on your case?
No my case is out of grays harbor county superior court is where my eviction is
What is the current status of your eviction case at Grays Harbor County Superior Court?

Grays Harbor County Superior Court:
- Address: * W Broadway Ave, Montesano, WA *
- Phone: (*) *-*
I have to have a response filed before 5pm on october 6th and have a hearing on october 9th for show cause
What is the nature of the show cause hearing?

In Washington, a show cause hearing is typically where you explain why the court should not grant the other party's request.
Unlawful detainer, eviction coplaint and show cause papers were served thru the mail a week aho
What is your defense against the unlawful detainer and eviction complaint? In Washington, defenses can include improper notice, retaliation, or habitability issues.
Well i was given a 14 day pay or vacate on august *. I was trying to vacate but the landlord changed the locks to downstairs where my storage is and has refused to give me a key. Then i bortowed a truck and trailer to move out and she changed the locks to the building and i could nit get in to my apartment i have asked several times for a key but still have not got a jey.
Have you documented these incidents and do you have any proof of your landlord denying you access to your property? In Washington, it's illegal for landlords to lock out tenants without a court order.
Yes i called the cops when the locks were changed but they said they could not help me get in and it was a civil matter and if i broke the locks they would have to arrest me.
Have you considered filing a complaint against your landlord for illegal eviction? In Washington, landlords cannot change locks without a court order.
Thats why i was trying to get help thru the eviction help line. I spoke to a lawyer who said she could represent me but she wrote a letter to the landlord anout lock outs are illegal in wShingron state then the next day after she should of received that letter i have eviction papers served on me it wS like she was retaligating against me for contacting an atyorney about the locks.
Have you informed your lawyer about the eviction papers you received after she sent the letter to your landlord?

In Washington, retaliation by landlords is illegal. If you can prove that the eviction is a result of retaliation, it may help your case.
No because she was not my attorney, she just wrote the letter to the landlord. She was from the NWJP BUT she does not represent me she said if i recieved evictions papers after the ketter to contact the eviction help line adap whoch i did. They referred me to thurston county and when i spoke to them they said they were giving it to their supervisor who would then contact me if they were taking my case or referring me to someone else i feel like im getting a run around and my time is running out and i need answers to what my options are
Have you considered reaching out to a local legal aid organization or hiring a private attorney to represent you in your eviction case?

In Washington, it's illegal for landlords to:
- Change locks without a court order
- Retaliate against tenants for exercising their rights

Grays Harbor County Superior Court:
- Address: * W Broadway Ave, Montesano, WA *
- Phone: (*) *-*
Other then having to have a response filed my 5pm on the 6th of october
What is the content of the response you are planning to file? In Washington, it's crucial to include any defenses you may have against the eviction in your response.
I have no idea that why i needed legal aid. There is so much going on on my defen e but dont know where to begin or how to start
What evidence do you have to support your defense? In Washington, evidence such as photos, emails, or witness statements can be crucial in an eviction case.
I have tons of pictures of the building, i have police report case numbers, i have witness statements of the things they witnessed first hand. I have a letter given to the landlord when things went missing from garage and dates written on calender when rhings occured and the changed locks and hotwater getting shut off by landlord have been reported to the police with case number given
Have you considered filing a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office for the illegal actions of your landlord? In Washington, tenants can file complaints against landlords for illegal practices.
Like i said i dont know how to do any of this. I know nothing about the laws thats why i was trying to get legal help. So i could get help filing or know what options i had and what i need or how to get it filed.
Have you considered contacting the Washington LawHelp? They provide free legal information and resources. Their contact number is *-*-*-*.
Yes i was trying to do that to. But i keep getting the run around. I was told to contact NWJP then they referred me to thurston county then i tried getting answers else where but they said contact EVICTION HELP LINE. THEN THEY havent gotten bavk to me so now im talking to you
I understand your frustration. Have you tried contacting the Grays Harbor County Superior Court directly for an update on your case?

Grays Harbor County Superior Court:
- Address: * W Broadway Ave, Montesano, WA *
- Phone: (*) *-*
No bevause i have to file a response by 5pm on the 6th. And a hearing on the 9th and i have no attobey to represent ne yet and i dont know how to write couet papers and dont want to get railroaded in court because i dont understand how the kaws work
Have you considered reaching out to a local legal aid organization for assistance in preparing your response and representation in court? In Washington, organizations like the Northwest Justice Project can provide free legal help.
Yes i told you this already now your giving me the same run around. I am getting no where but back and firth
I understand your frustration. Have you tried contacting the Washington State Bar Association for a referral to a private attorney? They can be reached at (*) *-*.
All I've seen to be doing is get a run around from everybody that I have spoken to about this situation first of all I was told to contact the Northwest Justice project which I did this I went through there with their screening. I did all of this I hadn't attorney lately to call me back she said she could not represent me or whatever. But she could write me a letter to the landlord about how illegal it was for her to lock me out of the unit. This didn't change this didn't get my key. It didn't do anything for me. So then I was told that if I was to get a viction papers that I was to content The eviction Hotline and turn it in ASAP. And they would take care of it there so I contacted them about the eviction notice summons complaint. Whatever it is, I contacted them about it. And then they did their screening, and then they referred me to Thurston County, which isn't even the county. Which my eviction is in? My eviction is in grace Harbor so then I contacted them. I got ahold of them spoke to them. And then they said they would be turning it over to their supervisor and their supervisor would be contacting me to tell me whether or not if they would be representing me or if they were referring me to somebody else which I. You haven't heard anything back from him. The sixth is coming up real soon. And nobody is giving me any answers. So no I have not contacted the Washington State bar association on getting an attorney. Because I'm still waiting on Thursday. County which was where I was told to contact so frustrating
I understand your frustration. Have you considered filing a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office about your landlord's illegal actions?
I am not an attorney, this is the reason why I have been trying to contact an attorney for help with this situation on this eviction the illegal lock outs that they're not fixing of my not fixing their making repairs on my apartment for the loss of my personal items might by utilities being turned off by the landlord, all these different things. Whatever this is why I've been trying to make contact with the nutrient for the help that I am requesting for this eviction coming up that I have. I would have already been vacated out of the apartment. And when you can be going through this eviction process if the round or would be wouldn't have had me locked. Out of my storage, so that's the reason why i've been trying to contact an attorney to get help, but nobody seems to want to help me even though they say that this is the eviction help line or free legal help or I would ever for legal representation for the seviction process all
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Have you filed a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office about your landlord's illegal actions?
That with the Attorney General if I don't know what my legal actions or legal options are as far as what I need to be filing or how do I file this or what I can do about the landlord doing what she has been doing to me other than knowing that the fact that locked out are illegal. In Washington State, illegal evictions are illegal in washington state. That how am I supposed to turn in any of this if I can't even get an attorney to talk to me about what my options are and what is illegal and what she can and can't do to begin with? What am I supposed to turn into the Attorney General's office? If I don't know exactly what I can be following a complaint against.
What evidence do you have against your landlord's illegal actions? In Washington, it's crucial to provide evidence such as photos, emails, or witness statements when filing a complaint.
I have told you this several times already. I told you the evidence that I had against my landlord. I have told you what my landlord has done I have repeatedly asked for some kind of attorney help needed for my vision process since all I am doing is getting a run around run around, run around from here to here to here, and nobody is offering help like they say they are supposed to be helping us with our evictions? I am getting invicted out of my home or something that I had tried to avoid a 13 day. Pay air vacate without trying to vacate the premises as per the notice, but the lamb changed the rocks and had me wrapped out of my thorns and then change the box on the building, which, therefore locked me out of my apartment and I could not get out in time for the 14 day. Pay her biking now I was not leaving my stuff behind. Because I'm not, it is illegal for the landlord to keep my property. So now I'm getting in a fiction notice. Saying that she's going to take me to a fiction court. Which this is why I am trying to get legal advice.
I understand your frustration. Have you considered filing a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office about your landlord's illegal actions?