EXPLAINED: Governor Inslee's Bridge Proclamation (COVID-19 Tenant Protections)

****UPDATE 8/3/2021: The CDC will extend the eviction moratorium through October 3, 2021.

While the federal eviction moratorium expires today (July 31, 2021), Washington residential tenants who are currently not up to date on all rental obligations (namely paying rent) may have additional time to prevent eviction due to a "bridge" proclamation Governor Jay Inslee signed back on June 29, 2021. More details after the jump break.

Nyman v. Hanley (2021)

On July 22, 2021, the Washington Supreme Court released its decision in Nyman v. Hanley. This published opinion can be cited as authority in any future Washington cases. More details after the jump break.

Summarized: SB 5160 (Landlord-Tenant Relations)

Effective April 22, 2021, the Washington State Legislature will add or amend sections to RCW 59.18 to provide additional tenant protections during COVID-19.

The biggest sections establish a pilot dispute resolution program (temporary for now), mandate attorneys to represent indigent tenants, and require landlords to submit reasonable repayment plans before filing an eviction matter in court.

More on this legislation after the jump break.

I also did not previously note at least two extensions on the eviction moratorium from Governor Inslee. The current moratorium, as of this post, runs through June 30, 2021.

WA Eviction Moratorium Extended Until End of 2020

On October 14, Governor Jay Inslee extended the eviction moratorium through the end of 2020. Notable additions and clarifications were made to the moratorium, explained after the jump break.

Explained: White House August 8 Executive Order on Evictions

On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order addressing residential evictions. Please read after the jump break for the full breakdown (I promise it's fairly brief).

WA Eviction Moratorium Extended Through October 15

On July 24, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee extended Washington's moratorium on evictions through October 15, 2020. The order is otherwise substantially similar to the previous extension passed on June 2, which I addressed on my previous post.

The moratorium may not apply to DSHS-licensed or DSHS-certified facilities. Operators of those facilities may still take action to transfer or discharge residents of those units for health/safety reasons.

WA Eviction Moratorium Extended Through August 1

On June 2, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee extended Washington's moratorium on evictions through August 1, 2020.

SB 6378 (Multiple Residential Tenant Protections)

(NOTE: This is the last in a three-part series of blog posts of Washington Landlord-Tenant laws that take effect June 11, 2020.)

The Washington State Legislature added or amend sections affecting Washington landlord-tenant laws to give protections in addition to the two posts I previously covered.

Some of the sections noted below (Sections 5 through 8) took immediate effect upon Governor Inslee's signature, which was April 2, 2020. Sections 1 through 4 will take effect on June 11, 2020. I explain further below.

More on WA Evictions and COVID-19

Today, I'm adding to my previous blog post regarding the COVID-19 situation and how it can affect landlords and tenants in the State of Washington.

30-Day Moratorium on WA Residential Evictions

Yesterday, Governor Jay Inslee announced a 30-day statewide moratorium on residential evictions. I explain further below in this post.