[WA] How can I quickly evict a violent tenant from my RV park?

WA Landlord-Tenant

I have a tenant at my RV Resort in Washington. He has threatened to cause bodily harm to my maintenance manager and then to kill him on a separate occasion. Another time, he was walking around with 8-inch blade knives on his side. He has been convicted of assault in the 1st and 3rd degree and possession of a loaded firearm. We just want him out of the park. What is the quickest way to get him out?

February 4, 2026

Richard

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Given the threats, weapons, and the tenant’s violent history, your best course of action in Washington is to treat this as a for-cause termination and potentially an emergency matter. (WA Rev Code § 59.18.650)

Enforce the Written Agreement
You mentioned he signed a paper agreeing to move out within 48 hours if terminated from his worker arrangement. That can be enforceable if it was clear, voluntary, and tied to his tenancy. You’ve already served a termination-for-cause notice, which is the correct first step.
Use Washington’s Eviction Process (WA Rev Code § 59.18.650(2)(c))
Because he has not left voluntarily, you will need to follow Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) eviction procedures. For month-to-month tenants, you can terminate with cause on 3 days’ notice for dangerous or unlawful behavior. The law allows expedited removal if the tenant poses an imminent threat to others. If he does not leave, file an unlawful detainer action in Superior Court.
Leverage Safety Concerns
His threats, brandishing of knives, and criminal history make this a public safety issue. Courts often prioritize cases involving credible threats of violence. Your protective order hearing this Friday can help establish a record.
Involve Law Enforcement
Even if the sheriff has been dismissive, they must respond if he violates a protective order, threatens others, uses weapons, or harasses tenants.
Practical Next Steps
Attend the protective order hearing. If granted, it can restrict his contact immediately. File the eviction based on the termination notice and document everything.

In short, the fastest legal path is a for-cause termination combined with an unlawful detainer filing and your protective order hearing.

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Full Conversation

Lexi, Chatbot

I understand how concerning this situation must be for you and your maintenance manager. Have you already taken any steps to address the tenant's behavior, such as notifying local authorities or documenting incidents?

Yes, I called the sheriffs here after the death threat but they just dismissed it. I did go to the court to get a protective order. We go to court on Friday, but I did not know about the knives until we got back to the property. He got in my manager’s face again today and the sheriffs keep telling me to stay away from him. I run a business here. I cannot stop conducting business because of this man.

Lexi, Chatbot

Is the tenant currently on a lease, and if so, what are the terms regarding eviction?

Yes, he is, and we have a month-to-month with him. But he was working as a camper worker and he did sign a paper stating if he was fired for any reason he would have 48 hours to move out. He willingly signed it. Is it legal and binding?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with your tenant eviction.

That three months earlier my maintenance manager did accuse him of trying to sleep with his wife. That is why the sheriff dismissed the threat.

Richard

Hello. My name is Richard and I have been a licensed attorney for over 25 years and hope to be of assistance. Please be advised that this website is for information purposes only and I cannot formally represent customers of this website or perform actual legal services on your behalf. I know your question is important and I’m working on typing an answer to your question now. Sometimes responses and replies take time, and we ask you to be courteous and patient to allow the expert to type your answers to you and also to others. Could you tell me more about the tenant's current behavior?

Hello.

Richard

Hi there! I understand this is a stressful situation for you. Let's work through it together. Could you tell me if you've had any further interactions with the tenant since the last incident? This will help me understand the current state of affairs.

I understand. Take your time.

Richard

Thank you for your patience. Could you let me know if there have been any updates or changes in the tenant's behavior since the last incident?

Yes, I did put a notice to terminate tenancy for cause and he became explosive again. He is every day going up to other guests here telling them it is all over meth and trying to rally them against us. He was calm up until I put the notice on his door, but now he approaches our other guests every day.

Richard

Enforce the Written Agreement
You mentioned he signed a paper agreeing to move out within 48 hours if terminated from his worker arrangement. That can be enforceable if it was clear, voluntary, and tied to his tenancy. You’ve already served a termination-for-cause notice, which is the correct first step.
Use Washington’s Eviction Process (WA Rev Code § 59.18.650(2)(c))
Because he has not left voluntarily, you will need to follow Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) eviction procedures. For month-to-month tenants, you can terminate with cause on 3 days’ notice for dangerous or unlawful behavior. The law allows expedited removal if the tenant poses an imminent threat to others. If he does not leave, file an unlawful detainer action in Superior Court.
Leverage Safety Concerns
His threats, brandishing of knives, and criminal history make this a public safety issue. Courts often prioritize cases involving credible threats of violence. Your protective order hearing this Friday can help establish a record.
Involve Law Enforcement
Even if the sheriff has been dismissive, they must respond if he violates a protective order, threatens others, uses weapons, or harasses tenants.
Practical Next Steps
Attend the protective order hearing. If granted, it can restrict his contact immediately. File the eviction based on the termination notice and document everything.

In short, the fastest legal path is a for-cause termination combined with an unlawful detainer filing and your protective order hearing.

Richard

I hope I was able to help resolve your issue. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you so much. I just moved here from California and the laws are a little different here. Thank you again. One more question: do you know which forms I should fill out to file with the courts on the eviction?

Richard

To file for an eviction in Washington, you will need:

Notice to Terminate Tenancy (already served)
Unlawful Detainer Forms (Superior Court):
- Summons (Eviction)
- Complaint for Unlawful Detainer
- Order to Show Cause
- File with the Superior Court clerk
Properly serve the tenant
Attend the hearing
Obtain a Writ of Restitution if you prevail

Let me know if you need anything else.

Richard

76,546 satisfied customers

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