Can a landlord evict a tenant without cause?

No, in the state of Washington, a landlord cannot evict a tenant without cause. Landlords are required to provide a valid reason for a termination of tenancy. In most cases, this involves a tenant’s violation of the lease agreement or nonpayment of rent. The landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice that includes the reason for the eviction and the amount of time the tenant has to remedy the issue. If the tenant does not make the necessary changes in the allotted time, the landlord can then file an eviction lawsuit with the court. It is important to note that in Washington, landlords are not allowed to evict tenants in retaliation for exercising their rights. This includes filing a complaint with the state or local housing authority, joining a tenants’ rights organization, refusing to enter into an illegal lease agreement, or following health and safety regulations. In these cases, the landlord must prove that the eviction is not related to the tenant’s exercise of their legal rights. If the tenant can show that they were evicted because of an illegal purpose, they may be able to successfully challenge the eviction in court.

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Can a landlord evict a tenant without cause?

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