What are the laws governing tenant screening and eviction?

In Washington, laws governing tenant screening and eviction are designed to protect landlords, tenants, and the public. Landlords must follow specific rules when screening tenants for tenancy, including conducting thorough background checks, verifying the tenant’s income, and ensuring the tenant meets predetermined minimum credit criteria. Tenants must be provided with the landlord’s application process and are entitled to a response within 14 days or they may be automatically accepted. The landlord must also provide the tenant with a written lease and explain the tenant’s rights and responsibilities. Eviction proceedings in Washington are governed by the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Generally, the landlord must provide adequate notice to the tenant and allow the tenant to cure any breach of the lease before the landlord can file a lawsuit for eviction. A tenant can only be evicted if a court of law grants an eviction order. In certain cases, such as a breach of the lease or nonpayment of rent, the landlord may be able to evict the tenant without going through a court proceeding. The landlord must also follow specific rules for evicting a tenant, including providing a valid notice and allowing the tenant to respond before proceeding with the eviction.

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What are the laws governing tenant screening and eviction?

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