STATEWIDE EVICTION MORATORIUM EXTENSION - December 31st, 2020
Hello WLA Members:
For your further update the Governor held a press conference on Thursday, October 8 and indicated that he will be extending the eviction moratorium from October 15 to the end of the year December 31, 2020. Today, Wednesday, October 14 the Governor signed the attached proclamation which extends the eviction moratorium, as well as, a separate proclamation that deals with energy, water and landline telephone companies, until 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020
Proclamation 20-19.4 “Evictions and Related Housing Practices.”
Eviction Moratorium Extension
Proclamation 20-23.11 - Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services
Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services
We will further provide you more information as there are additional updates.
Thanks,
Chester Baldwin, Attorney at Law
Public Affairs Consulting, LLC
chet@lobbywa.com
Cell: (360) 688-4588
Fax: (360) 841-7062
Hello WLA Members:
For your further update the Governor held a press conference on Thursday, October 8 and indicated that he will be extending the eviction moratorium from October 15 to the end of the year December 31, 2020. Today, Wednesday, October 14 the Governor signed the attached proclamation which extends the eviction moratorium, as well as, a separate proclamation that deals with energy, water and landline telephone companies, until 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020
Proclamation 20-19.4 “Evictions and Related Housing Practices.”
- Extending and Amending 20-05, 20-19, 20-19.1, and 20-19.2
Eviction Moratorium Extension
- The states eviction moratorium is extended to December 31, 2020.
- Clarifies that among the existing permissible reasons for seeking to evict a tenant is a tenants behavior that can be imminent be hazardous to safety of others on the premises.
- Requires that any 60-day notice to vacate if an owner intends to occupy or sell the premises must be in the form of an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury.
- Clarifies that the order is not intended to permit unauthorized or illegal occupants into a dwelling who are not listed on the lease to remain or hold over unless the landlord owner, or property manager has accepted partial or full payment of rent, including payment in the form of labor.
- Governor says he will continue to work with stakeholders over the next 30 days to consider additional amendments to the moratorium to ensure that the moratorium’s protections for non-payment of rent apply narrowly to those impacted by the COVID-19.
- Nothing in this order precludes a landlord, property owner, or property manager from engaging in customary and routine communications with residents of a dwelling or parcel of land occupied as a dwelling. “Customary and routine” means communication practices that were in place prior to the issuance of Proclamation 20-19 on March 18, 2020, but only to the extent that those communications reasonably notify a resident of upcoming rent that is due; provide notice of community events, news, or updates; document a lease violation without threatening eviction; or are otherwise consistent with this order. It is permissible for landlords, property owners and property managers to provide information to residents regarding financial resources, and to provide residents with information on how to engage with them in discussions regarding reasonable repayment plans as described in this order.
- Manufactured Housing Communities under RCW 59.20 are allowed landlords to send advance notices of future rent increases in limited circumstances, as long as the notice clearly provides that the rent increase will not go into effect until after the moratorium expires.
Proclamation 20-23.11 - Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services
- Amending and Extending Emergency Proclamations 20-05 AND 20-23, et seq.
Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services
- Prohibits energy, water and landline telephone companies from disconnecting any residential customers services due to nonpayment on an active account.
- Disconnecting service to any residential customers who requested assistance from the utility’s COVID-19 Customer Support Program.
- Charging late payment or reconnection fees.
We will further provide you more information as there are additional updates.
Thanks,
Chester Baldwin, Attorney at Law
Public Affairs Consulting, LLC
chet@lobbywa.com
Cell: (360) 688-4588
Fax: (360) 841-7062
| 2020.10.14_-_evictions___related_housing_practices_proclamation_20.19.4.pdf |
| 2020.10.14_-_ratepayer_assistance_and_preservation_of_essential_services_20-23.11.pdf |
October 14, 2020
Public and constituent inquiries | 360.902.4111
Press inquiries | 360.902.4136
Inslee extends eviction moratorium, public utilities proclamation Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the extensions of the eviction moratorium and public utility proclamations as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide.
Both proclamations were extended to December 31.
Moratorium on Evictions (20-19.4)
This extension makes modifications to the prior moratorium, including:
The moratorium also directs the governor’s staff to continue working with stakeholders over the next 30 days to consider additional amendments to the moratorium to ensure that the moratorium’s protections for non-payment of rent apply narrowly to those persons whose ability to pay has been directly or indirectly materially impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
Read the full proclamation here.
Ratepayer Assistance (20-23.11)
This proclamation prohibits energy, water and landline telephone companies from:
This proclamation does not relieve customers from the obligation to pay for utility services. Customers and utilities are expected to continue to communicate in good faith with one another, and to work together, on the timing and terms of payment and repayment solutions.
Read the full proclamation here.
Public and constituent inquiries | 360.902.4111
Press inquiries | 360.902.4136
Inslee extends eviction moratorium, public utilities proclamation Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the extensions of the eviction moratorium and public utility proclamations as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide.
Both proclamations were extended to December 31.
Moratorium on Evictions (20-19.4)
This extension makes modifications to the prior moratorium, including:
- Clarifying that tenant behavior which is imminently hazardous to the physical safety of other persons on the premises is included among the existing permissible reasons for seeking to evict a tenant.
- Authorizing landlords and property owners to send advance notices of future rent increases in limited circumstances, as long as the notice clearly provides that the rent increase will not go into effect until after the moratorium expires.
- Establishing clearer guidance on permissible communications between landlords and tenants.
- Requiring that any 60-day notice to vacate if an owner intends to occupy or sell the premises must be in the form of an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury.
The moratorium also directs the governor’s staff to continue working with stakeholders over the next 30 days to consider additional amendments to the moratorium to ensure that the moratorium’s protections for non-payment of rent apply narrowly to those persons whose ability to pay has been directly or indirectly materially impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
Read the full proclamation here.
Ratepayer Assistance (20-23.11)
This proclamation prohibits energy, water and landline telephone companies from:
- Disconnecting any residential customers from energy, landline telephone or water service due to nonpayment on an active account, except at the request of the customer.
- Refusing to reconnect any residential customer who has been disconnected due to nonpayment.
- Charging fees for late payment or reconnection of energy, landline telephone or water service.
- Disconnecting service to any residential customer who has contacted the utility to request assistance from the utility’s COVID-19 Customer Support Program.
This proclamation does not relieve customers from the obligation to pay for utility services. Customers and utilities are expected to continue to communicate in good faith with one another, and to work together, on the timing and terms of payment and repayment solutions.
Read the full proclamation here.
STATEWIDE EVICTION MORATORIUM EXTENSION - OCTOBER 15TH (obsolete)
The governor announced an extension to the statewide eviction moratorium until October 15th. He said his staff will work with a group of landlords and tenants to discuss potential changes to the moratorium and that specific details will be released soon.
The order was set to expire August 1.
Inslee says with the extensions, he expects landlords and tenants to remain in communications. He also says the moratorium is meant to protect renters from falling into homelessness, but it does not give them the right to refuse to pay rent if they have the means to do so.
Similarly, the governor says the proclamation does not allow landlords to harass or intimidate tenants. Criminal behavior and other threats to public safety are still a cause for eviction.
The governor says the Department of Commerce has released $100 million in CARES Act funds for rental assistance to help landlords and property owners keep their businesses running. This is in addition to the $300 million in CARES funds released to local governments to pay for an array of services which could include rental assistance.
The governor ended the press conference by saying, "I just ask people to remember to be good neighbors. We're all staying home more, and may be for some time to come. If you're up late because you're anxious, please remember the folks next door are probably trying to sleep, and that they're probably anxious as well. A little courtesy among neighbors goes a long way."
The governor announced an extension to the statewide eviction moratorium until October 15th. He said his staff will work with a group of landlords and tenants to discuss potential changes to the moratorium and that specific details will be released soon.
The order was set to expire August 1.
Inslee says with the extensions, he expects landlords and tenants to remain in communications. He also says the moratorium is meant to protect renters from falling into homelessness, but it does not give them the right to refuse to pay rent if they have the means to do so.
Similarly, the governor says the proclamation does not allow landlords to harass or intimidate tenants. Criminal behavior and other threats to public safety are still a cause for eviction.
The governor says the Department of Commerce has released $100 million in CARES Act funds for rental assistance to help landlords and property owners keep their businesses running. This is in addition to the $300 million in CARES funds released to local governments to pay for an array of services which could include rental assistance.
The governor ended the press conference by saying, "I just ask people to remember to be good neighbors. We're all staying home more, and may be for some time to come. If you're up late because you're anxious, please remember the folks next door are probably trying to sleep, and that they're probably anxious as well. A little courtesy among neighbors goes a long way."
COVID-19 UPDATE:
Inslee Extends Eviction Moratorium To August 1, 2020
Hello WLA Members:
For your update, today, Tuesday, June 2 Governor Jay Inslee extended the eviction moratorium through proclamation 20-19.2. This would extend the prior eviction moratorium for 60 days until Saturday, August 1. It also make modifications to the previous moratorium which is outlined in his press release below.
Attached is the full “Evictions and Related Housing Practices Proclamation 20-19.2.”
Thanks,
Chester Baldwin, Attorney at Law
Public Affairs Consulting, LLC
chet@lobbywa.com
Cell: (360) 688-4588
Fax: (360) 841-7062
Inslee extends eviction moratorium
Gov. Jay Inslee extended protections for renters today as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide.
The governor first proclaimed a moratorium on evictions in mid-March, then extended and expanded the moratorium in mid-April.
Proclamation 20-19.2 extends the prior eviction moratorium for 60 days (through August 1), and makes modifications to the prior moratorium.
The modifications include, but are not limited to:
Other restrictions, including the prohibition on assessing late fees or other charges, are continued in this order.
The proclamation also encourages landlords and tenants to communicate in good faith with one another, and to work together on the timing and terms of payment and repayment solutions.
Read the full proclamation here.
Inslee Extends Eviction Moratorium To August 1, 2020
Hello WLA Members:
For your update, today, Tuesday, June 2 Governor Jay Inslee extended the eviction moratorium through proclamation 20-19.2. This would extend the prior eviction moratorium for 60 days until Saturday, August 1. It also make modifications to the previous moratorium which is outlined in his press release below.
Attached is the full “Evictions and Related Housing Practices Proclamation 20-19.2.”
Thanks,
Chester Baldwin, Attorney at Law
Public Affairs Consulting, LLC
chet@lobbywa.com
Cell: (360) 688-4588
Fax: (360) 841-7062
Inslee extends eviction moratorium
Gov. Jay Inslee extended protections for renters today as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide.
The governor first proclaimed a moratorium on evictions in mid-March, then extended and expanded the moratorium in mid-April.
Proclamation 20-19.2 extends the prior eviction moratorium for 60 days (through August 1), and makes modifications to the prior moratorium.
The modifications include, but are not limited to:
- Prohibiting retaliation against any tenant who invokes rights or protections under the proclamation;
- Permitting eviction based on property damage, except for damage that is not urgent in nature, including conditions that were known or knowable to the landlord prior to the COVID-19 crisis;
- Establishing a defense to any lawsuit for tenants if a landlord fails to offer a reasonable repayment plan;
- Establishing a minimum of a 14-day length of stay at a hotel, motel or at other non-traditional dwelling situations in order to trigger the application of this proclamation to those dwelling situations; and
- Allowing owners to evict tenants if the owner plans to occupy or sell the property, after providing at least 60 days’ notice; and
- Exempting commercial property rent increases that were executed in a rental agreement prior to the date the state of emergency was declared, on February 29.
Other restrictions, including the prohibition on assessing late fees or other charges, are continued in this order.
The proclamation also encourages landlords and tenants to communicate in good faith with one another, and to work together on the timing and terms of payment and repayment solutions.
Read the full proclamation here.
Governor Jay Inslee announced the expansion and extension of the original eviction moratorium order through Thursday, June 4th.
Evictions are prohibited for people in a variety of living situations, including those staying in transitional housing and for motor home owners renting in lots. The order also bans landlords or property owners from increasing rent on residential tenants, and on commercial tenants who have been impacted by the outbreak.
Rents are delayed but will still be owed to the landlord through a repayment plan.
His full proclamation can be found here.
Please see the below press releases for more information.
Thanks,
Chester Baldwin, Attorney at Law
Public Affairs Consulting, LLC
chet@lobbywa.com
Cell: (360) 688-4588
Fax: (360) 841-7062
Inslee expands eviction moratorium and adds additional protections for residential and some commercial tenants
Gov. Jay Inslee expanded protections for renters today as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide.
“It is clear that as we deal with the challenges around COVID-19, the financial impacts on Washingtonians are significant,” Inslee said. “People have lost their livelihoods through no fault of their own and we must continue to take steps to ensure they don’t also lose the roofs over their heads. Continued support and protection for tenants is the right thing to do and I am extending and expanding the moratorium on evictions through the beginning of June, which will allow for two additional rent cycles.”
The governor first proclaimed a moratorium on evictions in mid-March. The original moratorium applied only to dwellings that are captured in the Landlord Tenant Act, and prevented a landlord from evicting or seeking an unlawful detainer order; prohibited landlords from serving any eviction order, or otherwise assisting in an evictions and provided exceptions for property damage, danger posed by a person to the safety/health of others or property.
Notably, the original order did not cover all living situations or every circumstance, nor did it cover commercial rentals and leases.
Inslee’s new proclamation extends and expands the original order through June 4th.
Just as in the original order, the new order prevents landlords from evicting in all situations that fall within the Landlord Tenant Act, and prohibits law enforcement from assisting in any evictions, but today’s proclamation also:
Note: All rent payments delayed through this moratorium will still be owed but a landlord must offer a tenant a reasonable repayment plan to enforce any collection of that debt.
Evictions are prohibited for people in a variety of living situations, including those staying in transitional housing and for motor home owners renting in lots. The order also bans landlords or property owners from increasing rent on residential tenants, and on commercial tenants who have been impacted by the outbreak.
Rents are delayed but will still be owed to the landlord through a repayment plan.
His full proclamation can be found here.
Please see the below press releases for more information.
Thanks,
Chester Baldwin, Attorney at Law
Public Affairs Consulting, LLC
chet@lobbywa.com
Cell: (360) 688-4588
Fax: (360) 841-7062
Inslee expands eviction moratorium and adds additional protections for residential and some commercial tenants
Gov. Jay Inslee expanded protections for renters today as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide.
“It is clear that as we deal with the challenges around COVID-19, the financial impacts on Washingtonians are significant,” Inslee said. “People have lost their livelihoods through no fault of their own and we must continue to take steps to ensure they don’t also lose the roofs over their heads. Continued support and protection for tenants is the right thing to do and I am extending and expanding the moratorium on evictions through the beginning of June, which will allow for two additional rent cycles.”
The governor first proclaimed a moratorium on evictions in mid-March. The original moratorium applied only to dwellings that are captured in the Landlord Tenant Act, and prevented a landlord from evicting or seeking an unlawful detainer order; prohibited landlords from serving any eviction order, or otherwise assisting in an evictions and provided exceptions for property damage, danger posed by a person to the safety/health of others or property.
Notably, the original order did not cover all living situations or every circumstance, nor did it cover commercial rentals and leases.
Inslee’s new proclamation extends and expands the original order through June 4th.
Just as in the original order, the new order prevents landlords from evicting in all situations that fall within the Landlord Tenant Act, and prohibits law enforcement from assisting in any evictions, but today’s proclamation also:
- Prohibits residential evictions in other dwelling situations, including but not limited to: Lots/parcels (some motor home owners own the vehicle but lease the lot)
- Transitional housing
- Public lands – camping grounds
- Prohibits enforcement of agreements to vacate.
- Prohibits a landlord from requiring a non-paying tenant to move to a lesser unit, and prevents landlords from threatening to take action against tenants.
- Prohibits landlords from assessing or threatening to assess late fees or other charges for non-payment.
- Prohibits landlord from assessing (or threatening to assess) rent for housing/parcel where the tenants access or use was prevented as a result of COVID. Such as:Seasonal/college housing closed;
- People who planned to move in but are prevented from doing so due to COVID-19;
- People who were forced to leave due to COVID needs of their own or others.
- Prohibits landlords from increasing rents or deposits for residential and commercial units. As it relates to commercial rental properties, this prohibition applies only if the commercial tenant has been materially impacted by the COVID-19, whether personally impacted and is unable to work or whether the business itself was deemed non-essential or otherwise lost staff or customers due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- This proclamation protects commercial tenants by prohibiting rent increases or threats of rent increases.
- Prohibits landlords from treating unpaid rent and charges as an enforceable debt, unless the landlord demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence to a court that the resident was offered, and refused or failed to comply with, a reasonable repayment plan that was reasonable based on the individual financial, health, and other circumstances of that resident.
Note: All rent payments delayed through this moratorium will still be owed but a landlord must offer a tenant a reasonable repayment plan to enforce any collection of that debt.