[WSBARP] Attorney General's 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate

Tue Jan 4 11:10:03 PST 2022

Unfortunately, we do not always have the opportunity to prepare the 14 day notice.  Several of my property managers clients use the AG form and have given the UD after the notices have been sent.  So IF the form gets challenged, I will point out that the AG form substantially is correct.  I will also remind the court that the AG’s office has an army of attorneys trying to protect WA tenants and they recommend that LL use their form.  “My Gosh, your honor, it’s the Washington State Attorney General’s office.  It’s their job to protect the tenants of Washington and the AG’s office says this is the correct form.”  In fact, the Island County Superior Court, in its standing order regarding adopting the ERPP even attaches the AG form as the proper form to use.  You might want to check your own county superior court’s standing order to see if your court requires use of the AG form.

[cid:image001.jpg at 01D80159.F5F87E90]

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Kaitlyn Jackson
Sent: Tuesday, January 4, 2022 10:40 AM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBARP] Attorney General's 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate

I don't use the forms from the AG's office because they do not use the exact language from the statute and I'm risk-averse when it comes to notice issues in unlawful detainers. However, RCW 59.18.057 (copied and pasted below) actually says that the 14 day notice must be "substantially in the following form" so there's an argument that the AG's version meets that standard.  However, it is worth noting that the AG's office has been notified of this issue regarding their notices - and they may change them. My sense is that the political winds are blowing in the direction of helping landlords or attorneys move non-payment of rent cases forward. Not many cases have made it far enough to get a resolution to this issue any way because many DRCs are still withholding the necessary certificate of compliance (King County, for example) that allows the landlord to file the unlawful detainer, so cases are still not able to get before the court. I expect that when they do, we will see those forms from the AG's office challenged - and we will have to "wait and see" what the Commissioners do about that problem.
RCW 59.18.057<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapp.leg.wa.gov%2FRCW%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fcite%3D59.18.057&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=ynpBsgKqCVht6y8fFSPNrCvUNMXfMZUMf%2B8VLBCXiU8%3D&reserved=0>
Notice-Form.
(1) Every 14-day notice served pursuant to RCW 59.12.030<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapp.leg.wa.gov%2FRCW%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fcite%3D59.12.030&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=gFMTwjPrpHSlPSbA4Sn7Cr0FwRaqPFMKOJokajeVvFs%3D&reserved=0>(3) must be in substantially the following form:

"TO:

AND TO:

ADDRESS:
FOURTEEN-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR VACATE THE PREMISES
You are receiving this notice because the landlord alleges you are not in compliance with the terms of the lease agreement by failing to pay rent and/or utilities and/or recurring or periodic charges that are past due.
(1) Monthly rent due for (list month(s)): $ (dollar amount)
AND/OR
(2) Utilities due for (list month(s)): $ (dollar amount)
AND/OR
(3) Other recurring or periodic charges identified in the lease for (list month(s)): $ (dollar amount)
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE: $ (dollar amount)
Note - payment must be made pursuant to the terms of the rental agreement or by nonelectronic means including, but not limited to, cashier's check, money order, or other certified funds.
You must pay the total amount due to your landlord within fourteen (14) days after service of this notice or you must vacate the premises. Any payment you make to the landlord must first be applied to the total amount due as shown on this notice. Any failure to comply with this notice within fourteen (14) days after service of this notice may result in a judicial proceeding that leads to your eviction from the premises.
The Washington state Office of the Attorney General has this notice in multiple languages as well as information on available resources to help you pay your rent, including state and local rental assistance programs, on its website at www.atg.wa.gov/landlord-tenant<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.atg.wa.gov%2Flandlord-tenant&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=mTrFG5GnyBzG2H%2FpOzLcLqytEf%2FuNzeSqTCt1Jm5ItI%3D&reserved=0>.
State law provides you the right to legal representation and the court may be able to appoint a lawyer to represent you without cost to you if you are a qualifying low-income renter. If you believe you are a qualifying low-income renter and would like an attorney appointed to represent you, please contact the Eviction Defense Screening Line at 855-657-8387 or apply online at https://nwjustice.org/apply-online<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnwjustice.org%2Fapply-online&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=eyIGs4MN1iHIUzIo%2BhfmH%2FRlVUo%2BA%2FWgNNcob9GIMB0%3D&reserved=0>. For additional resources, call 2-1-1 or the Northwest Justice Project CLEAR Hotline outside King County (888) 201-1014 weekdays between 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., or (888) 387-7111 for seniors (age 60 and over). You may find additional information to help you at http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonlawhelp.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=gx42Myoy%2FXK%2BrvRSlHMY5kgEmY6BYiU2BjRKWApq%2F%2BY%3D&reserved=0>. Free or low-cost mediation services to assist in nonpayment of rent disputes before any judicial proceedings occur are also available at dispute resolution centers throughout the state. You can find your nearest dispute resolution center at https://www.resolutionwa.org<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.resolutionwa.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=s98zA82J7O4owV%2FF0r6u8dW9qjWd7PiDW%2FekRATas8A%3D&reserved=0>.
State law also provides you the right to receive interpreter services at court.
OWNER/LANDLORD:___________DATE:______________
WHERE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE IS TO BE PAID: ___(owner/landlord name)___
___________(address)________"
(2) Upon expiration of the eviction resolution pilot program established under RCW 59.18.660<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapp.leg.wa.gov%2FRCW%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fcite%3D59.18.660&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=wMYhbCvmvRjQul0EyGjPQLigMTK5KMK5CO7fs%2FGZiOQ%3D&reserved=0>:
(a) The landlord must also provide the notice required in this section to the dispute resolution center located within or serving the county in which the dwelling unit is located. It is a defense to an eviction under RCW 59.12.030<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapp.leg.wa.gov%2FRCW%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fcite%3D59.12.030&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=gFMTwjPrpHSlPSbA4Sn7Cr0FwRaqPFMKOJokajeVvFs%3D&reserved=0> that a landlord did not provide additional notice under this subsection.
(b) Dispute resolution centers are encouraged to notify the housing justice project or northwest justice project located within or serving the county in which the dispute resolution center is located, as appropriate, once notice is received from the landlord under this subsection.
(3) The form required in this section does not abrogate any additional notice requirements to tenants as required by federal, state, or local law.
[ 2021 c 115 § 10<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flawfilesext.leg.wa.gov%2Fbiennium%2F2021-22%2FPdf%2FBills%2FSession%2520Laws%2FSenate%2F5160-S2.SL.pdf%3Fcite%3D2021%2520c%2520115%2520%25C2%25A7%252010&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=63Jf%2B7gFxy2xPSaXnwYy8SA9nZhsrBD%2F078yGaaWq%2BQ%3D&reserved=0>; 2020 c 315 § 2<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flawfilesext.leg.wa.gov%2Fbiennium%2F2019-20%2FPdf%2FBills%2FSession%2520Laws%2FSenate%2F6378-S.SL.pdf%3Fcite%3D2020%2520c%2520315%2520%25C2%25A7%25202&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=OAd2EKDTkV4HqZgRs9axatrn6ctyxnH0bv3puTvElck%3D&reserved=0>; 2019 c 356 § 3<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flawfilesext.leg.wa.gov%2Fbiennium%2F2019-20%2FPdf%2FBills%2FSession%2520Laws%2FSenate%2F5600-S.SL.pdf%3Fcite%3D2019%2520c%2520356%2520%25C2%25A7%25203&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cbb31a145a79042d91d4b08d9cfb238b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637769186660226897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=ncQhpDQAwN9x8yRmQD6NGYM5HlksYqA%2FXf24%2Bw6pJoU%3D&reserved=0>.]

On Mon, Jan 3, 2022 at 2:25 PM <Jeff at bellanddavispllc.com<mailto:Jeff at bellanddavispllc.com>> wrote:
Listmates:

Client wants to start eviction process for past due rent.  I talked with the local dispute resolution program that will handle the mediation/reasonable repayment agreement process.  They referred me to the AG’s website for the form of a 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate Premises.  I compared that notice with RCW 59.18.660.  The AG’s notice is not “word for word” compliant with the law.  Have any of you used the AG’s notice form?  If so, has it ever been challenged?  I doubt we have the ability to rely on the AG’s form, as they are just attorneys like the rest of us.

Jeff Davis

W. Jeff Davis
BELL & DAVIS PLLC
P.O. Box 510
720 E. Washington Street, Suite 105
Sequim WA 98382
Phone: (360) 683.1129
Fax: (360) 683.1258
email: jeff at bellanddavispllc.com<mailto:jeff at bellanddavispllc.com>
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Dimension Law Group, PLLC
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