[WA] How do I sue my landlord for wrongful eviction?
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You may want to begin by sending a demand letter to the landlord and demand that they compensate you for asking you to vacate based on the sale of the home and not selling the home or making attempts to do so by a specified date. If they do not agree or do not respond, then you can sue them in small claims court for up to $10,000 for a wrongful eviction. (RCW 59.18.650)
If you need to sue for more, you would sue in state court, which is a similar procedure but a different court.
You can do this by going to your local small claims court and filling out the complaint packet. You will then file it and serve it on the landlord. The judge will hold a hearing to determine liability and damages.
If at any time you need an attorney to assist you, you can find one by contacting your local bar association or legal aid society, as they offer free and low-cost services in these types of cases.
Another good resource is to contact local law schools, as they often have clinics with attorneys that will assist in these matters.
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I want to know the right paperwork to sue my previous landlord for wrongful eviction.
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Have you already consulted with a lawyer regarding your potential case?
No I have not.
Can you provide more details about the circumstances surrounding the wrongful eviction?
Yes I can. Me and my family received a 45-day notice to vacate the house we've been renting for over 22 years on Feb 1st, 2025, with a vacate date of March 17, 2025, due to the property being sold. However, the property has not been sold, nor has there been any attempt at selling it.
Is there anything else the Landlord-Tenant Lawyer should know before I connect you?
No.
Hello, my name is Charlie and I am a licensed attorney. I am sorry you are experiencing these issues but I will be happy to assist you with your questions today. Please allow me a moment to review your question and I will be right with you.
Which state do you live in?
Okay great! I live in Washington State.
Understood and hi! Did you already vacate the property?
Yes we have.
When did you vacate?
We vacated by the date that was listed on the notice, March 17, 2025, but we actually vacated by 2/22/25.
Did you have a lease with the landlord?
We did with the original landlord, but he passed away back in August 2024 and he left the real estate to his kids.
Understood. So then the children asked you to vacate?
Correct. They stated the property is being sold, but it hasn’t been sold nor listed anywhere, and it’s still under the original landlord's name.
And they only gave you 45 days’ notice. You thought they had to give you 90 days by law. Is that correct?
Yes.
Which county were you living in?
Snohomish County.
The landlord is only required to give 20 days’ notice to vacate a month-to-month lease in that county.
But if they told you they were selling and they have not, then you could have a claim.
Yes, they have not sold it. How would I go about filing a claim?
You may want to begin by sending a demand letter to the landlord and demand that they compensate you for asking you to vacate based on the sale of the home and not selling the home or making attempts to do so by a specified date. If they do not agree or do not respond, then you can sue them in small claims court for up to $10,000 for a wrongful eviction. (RCW 59.18.650)
If you need to sue for more, you would sue in state court, which is a similar procedure but a different court.
You can do this by going to your local small claims court and filling out the complaint packet. You will then file it and serve it on the landlord. The judge will hold a hearing to determine liability and damages.
If at any time you need an attorney to assist you, you can find one by contacting your local bar association or legal aid society, as they offer free and low-cost services in these types of cases.
Another good resource is to contact local law schools, as they often have clinics with attorneys that will assist in these matters.
Okay, thank you. I will go ahead and find the demand letter and go from there. Thank you.
