Real Estate & Property Law

New Law Changes Landlord’s Obligations to Store Tenant’s Property

By Scott Eller, Esq.

Important Changes in 2008

The Washington Court of Appeals Division III held in a 2007 decision that the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act required the landlord to store the tenant?s belongings when the tenant is evicted. [1]  

A new law has significantly changed the procedures and the landlord?s obligations.

Tenant Must Request Storage

Under the new law the tenant must request storage.  The request form is a mandatory form the landlord presents to the sheriff with the writ of restitution.  The form is posted by the sheriff along with the writ. 

The tenant must complete the form and it must be received by the landlord within three days.  If the tenant fails to complete and return the form to the landlord the landlord is not obligated to store the tenant?s belongings. 

If the tenant requests storage the landlord may store the belongings in the rental property. 

[1] Parker v. Taylor, No.  24475-0-III (Div. III Wn. Ct. App. January 4, 2007).

Full post as published by Seattle Landlord-Tenant Attorney on June 15, 2008 (boomark / email).