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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>It seems to me, the proper venue is the county where the property is located. Can a King County Judge order the clerk of the Cowlitz County superior court to issue a writ of restitution? The clause you describe also seems to waive tenant’s right, maybe, under the RLTA which would be a violation. Just an early morning Friday thought before coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Jeff Davis<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>W. Jeff Davis<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>BELL & DAVIS PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>Attorneys at Law</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'><br>P.O. Box 510<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>720 E. Washington Street, Suite 105<br>Sequim WA 98382<br>Phone: (360) 683.1129 <br>Fax: (360) 683.1258 <br>email: </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:jeff@bellanddavispllc.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>jeff@bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><span style='color:black'><br></span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.bellanddavispllc.com/" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:blue'>www.bellanddavispllc.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'><br> <br>The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this e-mail message in error, please e-mail the sender at </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:info@bellanddavispllc.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:blue'>info@bellanddavispllc.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'> or call 360.683.1129.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Nelsen<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 15, 2025 4:24 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Unlawful detainer - premises in county XX, venue clause says county ZZ<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have a lease on a residential property located in County XX, with a lease clause that stipulates to venue in County ZZ, but the language is a bit weird to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The lease says that "The parties to this agreement hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the state of Washington in connection with any claims arising out of or in connection with this agreement, and <span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>stipulate that the exclusive venue for any proceeding to confirm a determination or award made pursuant to this agreement shall be Superior Court of Washington for County ZZ</span>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.12&full=true#4.12.010">RCW 4.12.010</a> says, of course: “<span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>Actions for the following causes shall be commenced in the county in which the subject of the action, or some part thereof, is situated</span>: (1) <span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>For the recovery of, for the possession of</span>, for the partition of, for the foreclosure of a mortgage on, or for the determination of all questions affecting the title, or for any injuries to <span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>real property</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>So, for an unlawful detainer action, which county is the proper venue? Does the contractual stipulation to venue override RCW 4.12.010? Is unlawful detainer a “proceeding to confirm a determination or award made pursuant to” the lease?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Any and all thoughts appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>