Three Whatcom renters file complaints for violation of state’s eviction moratorium
The Washington State Attorney General’s office has received at least three complaints from Whatcom County renters who believe their landlords are violating Gov. Jay Inslee’s statewide moratorium on evictions of residential tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number actually might be higher, Communications Director Brionna Aho told The Bellingham Herald in an email, as eviction complaints are often incomplete. The Herald’s request for details on the three complaints and which landlords or companies they were filed against has not yet been answered.
As of Thursday, April 17, the office had received a total of 525 complaints, according to tweet by Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office. The office reported contacting tenants in 406 of the complaints and landlords in 216.
‘”I just had a lengthy conversation with the head of my civil rights team, and she’s saying, ‘Look, they’re just coming so quickly, it’s hard to keep up with them,’” Ferguson told KING-5 about the complaints. “We’ve got a whole team together to grapple with these right now.”
On March 18, Inslee issued a 30-day order stating law enforcement may not enforce eviction orders based solely on non-payment of rent. The measure came as the state attempts to slow the spread of the coronavirus while dealing with the economic fall-out from social distancing.
“We just can’t have a big spike in homelessness together with this epidemic raging. That had to be our first priority right now,” Inslee said at the time.
The moratorium on evictions due to unpaid rent was initially scheduled to expire on Friday, April 17, but on Thursday Inslee extended it to June 4.
In addition to extending the moratorium, the new proclamation prohibits:
▪ Evictions for those living on lots or parcels in vehicles or motor homes, in transitional housing and on public lands or campgrounds.
▪ Enforcement of agreements to vacate.
▪ Landlords to force tenants who can’t pay from moving to lesser units or threaten action against tenants.
▪ Landlords from assessing or threatening late fees or other charges for non-payment.
▪ Landlords from assessing rent for housing when tenants’ access was prevented as a result of COVID-19.
▪ Increased rents or deposits for residential or commercial units.
▪ Treating unpaid rent and charges as enforceable debt unless a court rules otherwise.
A link to the eviction complaint form can be found on the state Attorney General’s webpage.
