Just Cause Eviction

Washington Just Cause Eviction Law ## Overview In 2021, Washington enacted one of the strongest tenant protection laws in the country: the Just Cause Eviction Law (RCW 59.18.650). Before this law, a landlord could end a month-to-month tenancy simply by giving 20 days' notice — without any reason. That is no longer the case for most residential tenancies in Washington. Under the Just Cause Eviction Law, a landlord must have a lawful "just cause" reason to terminate a tenancy or refuse to renew a lease, regardless of whether it is month-to-month or a fixed-term lease nearing expiration. ## Permitted Just Cause Reasons The law provides a specific list of acceptable reasons for termination. Key examples include: Tenant-fault reasons: - Non-payment of rent (after 14-day notice) - Violation of lease terms (after 10-day notice) - Waste, nuisance, or unlawful activity (after 3-day notice) - Tenant materially breaches the lease - Tenant uses the unit for unauthorized commercial or criminal activity Non-fault reasons (owner can still terminate but may owe relocation assistance): - Owner intends to sell the unit and the buyer intends to occupy it - Owner or owner's immediate family member will move into the unit - Owner will substantially rehabilitate or demolish the unit (requires permits and prior notice) - Owner is converting the property to a use other than residential rental housing - Owner is going out of the rental business entirely Relocation assistance: When evicting for a "no-fault" reason (not the tenant's fault), the landlord must provide the tenant with relocation assistance equal to one month's rent. ## What "Just Cause" Prohibits Landlords CANNOT: - Terminate a month-to-month tenancy without a just cause reason - Refuse…