Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief Center
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Washington
These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on August 18, 2020.
For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Washington, we recommend that you visit the state’s COVID-19 Resources website.
Description of Program and Relief
Washington State: Moratorium on Residential Evictions and Other Relief for Commercial and Residential Renters
Description of Program and Relief
Washington State has placed a moratorium on residential evictions through October 15, 2020. Rent payments delayed through the moratorium are still owed but a landlord must offer a tenant a reasonable repayment plan. The Governor’s order prevents landlords from evicting in all situations that fall within the Landlord Tenant Act, and prohibits law enforcement from assisting in any evictions. The Governor’s order also provides other relief for renters as it:
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prohibits landlords from increasing rents or deposits for residential and commercial units, provided that commercial tenants must show that they have been materially impacted by COVID-19 (see Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions below);
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prohibits enforcement of agreements to vacate;
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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;
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prohibits landlords from assessing or threatening to assess late fees or other charges for non-payment;
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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, including seasonal/college housing, those unable to move into a dwelling because of COVID-19 and those who were forced to leave a dwelling due to COVID-19; and
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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.
Government or Lead Agency
Washington State, Office of the Governor
Dates Available
Effective March 18, 2020 through October 15, 2020, subject to the Governor’s extension
Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions
The prohibition preventing landlords from increasing monthly rents applies only to commercial tenants that can show that they have been materially impacted by COVID-19, whether the business has been personally impacted and its employees are unable to work or whether the business itself was deemed non-essential or otherwise lost staff due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Otherwise, these prohibitions apply only to residential tenants and no showing is necessary for residential tenants to take advantage of the moratorium or other renter relief measures.
Application Deadlines (If Applicable)
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Contact for More Information
List of Additional Information
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© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.