King County has seen over 3,300 eviction filings since 2020, but numbers are on the rise.
If you're a Puyallup landlord, filing an eviction is the last thing you want to do. Evictions are a major source of stress for most landlords, as the process is long and drawn out. That said, you need to take action when a delinquent tenant is putting your property at risk.
Today, we'll help guide you through the eviction process in Puyallup. With the right knowledge and support, you can carry out evictions with little trouble. Keep reading and learn how it's done.
Eviction Laws in Washington
Before you get in the weeds with your eviction, you need to gain an understanding of Washington's eviction laws. Failing to carry out a lawful eviction can result in severe penalties that could have financial repercussions for years.
Here, you can evict a tenant for failing to pay rent, property damage, or lease violations. Each infraction is served with a particular notice, which we'll discuss momentarily. It's important to start by sending the notice, and then filing the eviction in your local court when the timeframe of the notice passes.
What you absolutely need to avoid are self-help evictions. These occur when landlords attempt to remove tenants without filing an official eviction and doing one can result in legal issues.
Sending a Notice
Sending your tenants an eviction notice lets them know your intention to remove them from your rental. The particular notice you give informs them of why you want them to leave and what'll happen if they ignore the notice.
Nonpayment of rent is served with a three-day pay or quit notice. This gives the tenant three days to either pay rent or get out of the rental. Failing to abide by the notice gives you the freedom to begin the eviction process in earnest.
Curable lease violations and property damage are served with a ten-day notice to cure or quit. Incurable lease violations are served with an unconditional quit notice.
Carrying Out a Tenant Eviction
Once you've served the notice, all you can do is wait until it expires before filing the eviction with the court. When you do so, you'll both be given a date for the eviction hearing. Both parties have a chance to defend their stance during the hearing.
It's important to bring as much evidence as possible to court. This might include photographic evidence of damage, proof of correspondence with the tenant, or bank statements demonstrating nonpayment of rent.
When you take the eviction process seriously, it can be an open and shut case. If you're successful, the tenant will receive a final date to vacate the property and you can rent it out again.
How Property Management Can Help
Even when you follow these processes, evictions can be very stressful. If you want to avoid this stress, you can hire a property manager to help you carry yours out. Good property managers, like SJC Management Group, offer eviction protection services that handle all aspects of eviction.
As one of Puyallup's top property managers, we offer a range of services to make your life easier as a landlord. Contact us today to learn more about them and how we can help you.
