Being a landlord in Seattle comes with numerous responsibilities and challenges. One of these is navigating the complex world of eviction protection. With tenant rights being a significant focus in the city, it's crucial for landlords to understand their obligations and rights when it comes to eviction.

Seattle has implemented the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. This outlines the specific reasons for which a landlord can evict a tenant. In this blog post, we will delve into three essential things every landlord should know about eviction protection in Seattle.

This includes the ordinance, landlord-tenant laws, and tenant relocation assistance. If you are a landlord in the city, keep reading to learn more! Let's get started.

1. Just Cause Eviction Ordinance

The Just Cause Eviction Ordinance outlines the specific reasons for which a landlord can evict a tenant. Under this ordinance, landlords can evict tenants for one of 18 specified reasons. These include:

Non-payment of rent
Lease violations
Property damage
Illegal activities
Other legitimate causes

It's important for landlords to familiarize themselves with the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. This ensures they follow the correct procedures when initiating an eviction. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal consequences.

2. Landlord-Tenant Laws

Seattle has specific laws governing the relationship between landlords and tenants. It's crucial for landlords to be aware of these laws to ensure they are acting within their rights and responsibilities.

For example, landlords must provide tenants with proper notice before initiating an eviction. The notice period depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, landlords must provide a 14-day notice to pay or vacate.

For lease violations or other just causes, a 10-day notice is required. It's essential to follow these notice requirements strictly to avoid potential legal complications.

3. Tenant Relocation Assistance

Seattle also has a Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance in place. This is here to protect tenants who are displaced due to certain types of evictions. Under this ordinance, landlords are required to provide relocation assistance to tenants who are evicted due to:

Demolition
Substantial renovation
Change of use
Removal of a housing unit

The amount of relocation assistance varies depending on different factors. These include the number of bedrooms in the unit and whether the tenant is low-income or elderly/disabled.

As a landlord, it's crucial to understand these requirements and provide the appropriate relocation assistance when necessary. Failure to comply with the ordinance can result in penalties and legal action.