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.

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.

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.