[WSBARP] Tenant rights referral?

[Roger Moss]

There are so many reasons why a scenario like this one should be addressed with a conversation, rather than a confrontation. The group should consult with a mediator-type who is an expert in lease negotiations in the particular context.

While both sides need to be mindful of the laws and recent changes in notice procedures, a positive outcome for each household will turn on individual negotiations, not a group effort. 

If there are households who cannot afford the post-renovation increases, then the focus should be on a negotiated exit plan that gives them a soft landing, not changing the outcome permanently.

To answer your main question about an advocate, I recommend the wonderful people at the Tenant Law Center. They are collaborative and also realists. https://ccsww.org/get-help/specialized-services/tenant-law-center/ <https://ccsww.org/get-help/specialized-services/tenant-law-center/>.

PS-as soon as both sides stop talking about “rights," and start focusing on mutual concerns and interests, the sooner a strategy that avoids calamity will emerge.

Roger A. Moss, Esq. 
Pacific Conflict Intervention
206.790.1971 Seattle
415.371.9724 San Francisco
www.pacific-ci.com

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> On Dec 17, 2019, at 12:44 PM, Doug Owens <dougowens at seattlerelawyer.com> wrote:
> 
> Dear Lisa, the Seattle Just Cause Eviction Ordinance gives such tenants some rights, although not so far the right to remain indefinitely.  The landlord if it wants the tenants to leave must obtain a tenant relocation assistance license from the city and pay one half of the relocation costs for tenants who are forced to vacate (the city pays the other half).  Has the landlord obtained such a license and followed the requirements?  Yours truly, Doug Owens
> 
>> On Dec 17, 2019, at 12:20 PM, Elizabeth [Lisa] M. Carney <carney at westseattlelaw.com <mailto:carney at westseattlelaw.com>> wrote:
>> 
>> Colleagues,
>>  
>> PC is one of 20 tenants in a 30 unit building, where ‘new owner’ [records don’t show a new owner, but tenant says many things have changed drastically] has sent a letter to all tenants to ask them to move out of the building.  Owners are renovating units one at a time, rent increasing $700-$800 month for the new units.
>>  
>> Some tenants have left, others have created a group, wanting to take a stand that they should not be forced out of their homes—some having lived there 29 years.
>>  
>> Per chance there are civil rights minded attorneys that have experienced success in finding ways to allow long time tenants to stay in similar situations?
>>  
>> It is a long shot—but the non weather climate in Seattle has lots going on.  Maybe there is hope for this PC.
>>  
>> Self-referrals welcome. 
>>  
>> Thank you. 
>>  
>> Regards,
>> Lisa
>>  
>>    Elizabeth [Lisa] M. Carney
>>          Attorney at Law
>>  
>> <image002.jpg>
>> de Vrieze | Carney pllc
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