[WSBARP] Landlords, Mutual Agreements to Terminate, and COVID Relief Funds

[Scott Russon]

Section (5) appears to only apply to subsections 2(d), (e), or (f).  So the requirement to allow at least 60 days to vacate would not apply if the reason to evict is, for example, non-payment of rent and the landlord comes to a mutual agreement with the tenant to vacate early, correct?  If they meant this provision to apply to any situation, then why would it specifically mention subsections 2(d), (e), or (f)?

Sincerely yours,

SCOTT E. RUSSON
Attorney at Law

Yates Marshall, PLLC
10000 N.E. 7th Avenue, Suite 200
Vancouver, WA 98685
Phone: (360) 449-6100
Fax:    (360) 449-6111

STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY: The information in this email and attachment(s) is legally privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee listed on this email. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email and attachment(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by telephone at the number listed above, reply to this email that it was sent in error, then erase the e-mail and attachment(s) from your computer. Nothing in this message is intended to constitute an electronic signature unless a specific statement to the contrary is included in this message.  This e-mail and all responses to this email may be subject to Public Disclosure.  Thank you.



From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Kaitlyn Jackson
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:25 PM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBARP] Landlords, Mutual Agreements to Terminate, and COVID Relief Funds

I agree with the responses regarding scenario no. 2.

For scenario no. 1, be aware that the following provision exists in 59.18 which essentially requires that any mutual termination give the tenant no less than 60 days to vacate.

(5) Nothing in subsection (2)(d), (e), or (f) of this section permits a landlord to end a tenancy for a specified period before the completion of the term unless the landlord and the tenant mutually consent, in writing, to ending the tenancy early and the tenant is afforded at least 60 days to vacate.
Sent from my iPhone


On Jan 26, 2022, at 2:57 PM, Brian Andrews <brian at hawklaw.biz<mailto:brian at hawklaw.biz>> wrote:

Thanks again for the helpful responses!

Brian H. Andrews, Attorney at Law
brian at hawklaw.biz<mailto:brian at hawklaw.biz>
Hawkins Law, PLLC
Phone 509-529-5175 / Fax 509-529-2564
2225 Isaacs, Suite A/ Walla Walla, WA 99362

Visit our website at hawklaw.biz<http://www.hawklaw.biz/>.

This email is intended only for the named recipient(s) or their designees, and may contain legally privileged or confidential information.  If you have received this email in error, please delete it entirely from your computer and notify the sender.  Thank you.

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Athena Dickerson
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:52 PM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBARP] Landlords, Mutual Agreements to Terminate, and COVID Relief Funds

I went down this path and can attest that commissioner seem beyond hesitant to allow an eviction to move forward if the assistance covered the whole balance and the only issue was the additional conditions imposed.   Especially if the assistance is a larger number, which in my case it was.   In this case, my LL client decided just to take the funds with the string attached and move forward in 6 months if the tenant is behind again.

Athena Makratzakis Dickerson
DETHLEFS SPARWASSER<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fdetsparlaw.com&c=E,1,3MignbV7JN3fDW35Ex6-X8EUG7nEGjNuKTlfq-Aje1rdb6fDs8Yt68iJDkX__xogulPxvRxqczE1jab42wQRIayCHjlfyP0fLjpZdlZRIPinoeG9OpKmAQ,,&typo=1>
REICH DICKERSON PLLC<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fdetsparlaw.com&c=E,1,bLSaO3IzGA_4xpDLui54w20Gh4qqnIdqihOO9lsFaFpEr3IyQlnxxNFTiURyp45gMfqeZoZNVArN8uCnWCEWoTGD7jQGcUGBlkqV6h6b1rlgrg,,&typo=1>
100 Second Avenue South, Suite 190  I  Edmonds, WA 98020
P  425.776.1352  I  F 425.776.2467
athena at detsparlaw.com<mailto:athena at detsparlaw.com>

This message and the documents attached to it, if any, contains confidential information from DETHLEFS SPARWASSER REICH DICKERSON PLLC, is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential under applicable law, and/or may contain attorney work product. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please delete all electronic copies of this message and its attachments, destroy any hard copies you may have created and notify our office immediately.

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Maxwell Glasson
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:46 PM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBARP] Landlords, Mutual Agreements to Terminate, and COVID Relief Funds

In that case I would argue that the additional conditions should be stricken if equity dictates taking the funds.  If you go down that path, let me know how it goes!

Maxwell B. Glasson
Glasson Legal, PLLC
2212 Queen Anne Ave. N, #659
Seattle, Washington, 98109
206-627-0528
max at glassonlegal.com<mailto:max at glassonlegal.com>
www.glassonlegal.com<http://www.glassonlegal.com/>
WA# 51948  NV# 13339  CA# 292356
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS TRANSMISSION IS CONFIDENTIAL AND MAY BE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM OR THE ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING IT TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY USE, DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY US AND DELETE THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE.

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Brian Andrews
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:30 PM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBARP] Landlords, Mutual Agreements to Terminate, and COVID Relief Funds

Thank you for the speedy response! Permit me a follow-up question for clarification re Scenario 2:

Understood and Agreed that a landlord is not obliged to accept funds with strings attached. The issue I am concerned about is where a landlord has refused such funds – because LL is unwilling to sign onto the contractual conditions – and then moves for eviction. In a small town like Walla Walla, at least, it is very possible that no other source of funds will be available. I am concerned that a court would be sympathetic to a tenant who argues they offered payment and LL refused it. It seems like that could well be a concern on equitable or public policy grounds.

I would love for you to tell me that I’m being over-cautious.

Thanks again!

Brian H. Andrews, Attorney at Law
brian at hawklaw.biz<mailto:brian at hawklaw.biz>
Hawkins Law, PLLC
Phone 509-529-5175 / Fax 509-529-2564
2225 Isaacs, Suite A/ Walla Walla, WA 99362

Visit our website at hawklaw.biz<http://www.hawklaw.biz/>.

This email is intended only for the named recipient(s) or their designees, and may contain legally privileged or confidential information.  If you have received this email in error, please delete it entirely from your computer and notify the sender.  Thank you.

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Maxwell Glasson
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:37 PM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBARP] Landlords, Mutual Agreements to Terminate, and COVID Relief Funds

Hi Brian:

Scenario 1:  It would depend on the wording of the agreement with the agency/organization.  That said, a mutual termination would not be an “eviction” and I see no issue with proposing one.

Scenario 2:  A landlord is not obligated to accept assistance funds that have extra strings, even if the tenant used such funds to “restore the tenancy” after an eviction has started under RCW 59.18.410(2).  The statue specifically states that: “[b]y accepting such pledge of emergency rental assistance, the landlord is not required to enter into any additional conditions not related to the provision of necessary payment information and documentation.

Regards,

Maxwell B. Glasson
Glasson Legal, PLLC
2212 Queen Anne Ave. N, #659
Seattle, Washington, 98109
206-627-0528
max at glassonlegal.com<mailto:max at glassonlegal.com>
www.glassonlegal.com<http://www.glassonlegal.com/>
WA# 51948  NV# 13339  CA# 292356
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS TRANSMISSION IS CONFIDENTIAL AND MAY BE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED. THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM OR THE ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING IT TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY USE, DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY US AND DELETE THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE.

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Brian Andrews
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:20 PM
To: wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBARP] Landlords, Mutual Agreements to Terminate, and COVID Relief Funds

Good afternoon, colleagues.

I have two questions related to a landlord’s receipt of COVID relief or mitigation funds (which I think are interchangeable concepts for my present purpose):

Scenario 1:          Landlord accepts funds to pay past-due rent from the eviction moratorium period (March 2020 thru December 31 2021). By contract with the organization/agency disbursing the funds, Landlord agrees not to evict Tenant for any reason but for cause for at least 6 months prior to receipt of funds. Can Landlord and Tenant still negotiate a mutual termination of lease agreement after Landlord receives those funds? If generally yes, can Landlord seek to initiate negotiations related to any such mutual termination?

Scenario 2:          Tenant owes unpaid rent and applies for some sort of COVID assistance. Strings are attached to COVID assistance funds. Landlord does not wish to accept the rent money from that organization, because of the strings. If Landlord declines to accept those funds, can Landlord proceed with an action in unlawful detainer for unpaid rent?

Thanks ahead of time for your insight. This list is so helpful!

Brian H. Andrews, Attorney at Law
brian at hawklaw.biz<mailto:brian at hawklaw.biz>
Hawkins Law, PLLC
Phone 509-529-5175 / Fax 509-529-2564
2225 Isaacs, Suite A/ Walla Walla, WA 99362

Visit our website at hawklaw.biz<http://www.hawklaw.biz/>.

This email is intended only for the named recipient(s) or their designees, and may contain legally privileged or confidential information.  If you have received this email in error, please delete it entirely from your computer and notify the sender.  Thank you.

***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and others.***

_______________________________________________
WSBARP mailing list
WSBARP at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:WSBARP at lists.wsbarppt.com>
http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbarp

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL:  This e-mail (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. Attempts to intercept this message are in violation of 18 USC 2511(1) of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which subjects the interceptor to fines, imprisonment and/or civil damages. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify us by e-mail, facsimile, or telephone; return the e-mail to us at the e-mail address below; and destroy all paper and electronic copies. Any settlement offer contained herein is made pursuant to Washington ER 408, and without admitting fault or liability on the part of this firm’s client(s) or its agents.  IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLAIMER:  To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, I inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or tax-related matter addressed herein.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/wsbarp/attachments/20220127/48dc9ff2/attachment.html>