AyudaLegalWashington.org

• Should I read this?
• What will I learn?
• Can my landlord legally lock me out?
• Can my landlord shut off my utilities?
• The landlord filed an eviction lawsuit and got a Writ of Restitution against me. I cannot get all my things out before the deadline in the Writ.
• While I was out, my landlord took my things. He will not give them back. What can I do?
• Can the landlord sell my things?
• Get Legal Help

 

*Read this only if you live in the state of Washington.

*COVID-19 Update!  Eviction law is changing quickly. There are temporary bans and changes to how courts handle evictions. Things may be different depending on where you live. Get the latest information and learn about help for evictions in your area at Coronavirus (COVID-19): There are only a few reasons your landlord can evict you right now

 

Should I read this? 

Read this if you rent the apartment or house where you live, your landlord changed the locks so you cannot get into your place, and you had no plans to move. You should also get legal advice right away. See contact information below.

 

What will I learn?

• If and when your landlord can ever lock you out of your rental

• What you can do if the landlord locks you out

• Where to get help

 

Can my landlord legally lock me out?

Only if it looks like you have stopped paying the rent and moved out without telling the landlord (called "abandoning" the rental), or a sheriff has executed a court order (called a Writ of Restitution) to evict you.

The landlord cannot change locks, add locks, or keep you from entering the place in any other way. It does not matter if you are behind in rent, utilities, or other fees. 

If the landlord locks you out, you can take the landlord to court.  If you show the lockout was illegal, the court should order the landlord to pay you. How do I Sue in Small Claims Court? may help, depending on how much your claim is. 

 

Can my landlord shut off my utilities?

Only to make repairs.  The landlord cannot shut off the utilities because you are behind in rent or to make you move. 

If the landlord shuts off your utilities, you can take the landlord to court. The judge can award you up to $100 for each day the utilities were off.

 

The landlord filed an eviction lawsuit and got a Writ of Restitution against me. I cannot get all my things out before the deadline in the Writ.

The landlord under the sheriff's supervision may move your stuff out if you are not there. No more than three days after you get the Writ of Restitution, you can ask the landlord in writing to store your things. Then your landlord must store it all. The landlord may also have to store your stuff if the landlord knows you have a disability that keeps you from asking the landlord to store your things. 

If you object to storage, your landlord cannot store your stuff.  The landlord will usually put it on the sidewalk or parking strip. 

 

While I was out, my landlord took my things.  He will not give them back. What can I do?

Write the landlord. Put in your letter (if true) that you have not abandoned the place and (if true) that you plan to keep living there. Keep a copy of the letter for your records. You can use our sample letter.

Make sure you can prove the landlord got this letter. Bring a witness who is not a household member, or send it certified mail return receipt requested and regular mail.  

If you do not get your things back after sending the letter, call the police. If you send a written demand for your things, the landlord must return them. 

You can go to court to force the landlord to give you back your things. If you win, the judge can award you up to $10,000. 

Can the landlord sell my things?

Only if you abandoned your place and left your things behind or the landlord evicted you after a Writ of Restitution and you did not ask the landlord in writing to store your things. If you objected to the landlord storing your things, the landlord must place your things on the nearest public property.

If your stuff is worth more than $250, the landlord must send written notice to your last known address 30 days before the sale. If it is worth less than $250, the landlord must send written notice seven days before the sale.

A landlord who earns more from the sale than you owe must hold the difference for you for one year from the date of sale. You can claim the money during that time.

The landlord cannot demand you pay rent owed in exchange for getting back your stuff. But a landlord who sells your things can apply any money from the sale to rent or other costs you owe. 

 

Get Legal Help

Visit Northwest Justice Project to find out how to get legal help.