Are you an investment property owner in Vancouver, Washington? You're not alone because individual landlords manage 40% of single-family rentals in the US.
Being a landlord can be an easy way to make extra income unless you have a bad tenant. A problem tenant can cost you time and money and should be dealt with immediately.
However, navigating the eviction process in Washington can be overwhelming. For this reason, getting up to speed on the legalities and process is wise.
Keep reading to learn more about evictions and ridding yourself of problem tenants. Here's what you should know as a landlord.
Reasons to Evict Your Tenant
Before we jump into the process for evictions in Washington, it's helpful to know some reasons for evicting a problem tenant. Unfortunately, you can't evict a tenant because you don't like them. Legally, there has to be a valid reason, such as if the tenant:
- Has stopped paying rent
- Has caused damage to the property
- Has violated the terms of the lease
- Is using the property for illegal activities
- Has been convicted of a crime
Before evicting a tenant for not paying rent, you must send a 14-day Notice to Pay or Vacate. This notice gives your tenant 14 days to come up with overdue rent.
If they can't pay within that timeframe, the eviction process continues. However, if they make the necessary payments, the eviction process stops, and the tenant can continue living in the rental property.
Eviction Process in Washington
In Washington, you can file an eviction lawsuit if your tenant doesn't pay overdue rent or vacate the property after receiving the 14-day Notice to Pay or Vacate. You will receive a summons and complaint for your tenant, which a sheriff or deputy must serve.
This document details the reasons for the eviction and the court date. Your tenant has 7-30 days to respond; otherwise, the judge will grant you a default judgment. If they do respond, the case will proceed to trial.
The court will issue an eviction order if you win the case. Your tenant has 30 days to vacate the property after receiving the eviction order. If they fail to do so, you can file a writ of possession with the court. The sheriff will then evict your tenant from the property.
The process can be long and complicated, so you need to understand the laws and procedures involved in evictions. You should consult a real estate attorney or property management company if you have any questions or need help with eviction.
Evictions Made Simple
As you can see, evictions in Vancouver, WA, can be a complex and time-consuming process. However, following the steps outlined in this article can make the process as smooth and efficient as possible. It's important to remember that you must have a valid reason for evicting your tenant and follow all of the legal procedures.
Invest West Management is here to assist if you need a full-service property management company in Oregon and Washington. Contact us, speak to one of our friendly experts, and let us put our years of experience to work for you.
