Landlords HAMMERED by Eviction Moratorium
By: Deette Day
Tags: Governor Jay Inslee, Seattle, Eviction Moratorium, Real Estate, Landlords

Image by DeEtte

Open Letter to Governor Jay Inslee

Landlords are fed up with over-zealous Attorney Generals across the U.S. abusing power by misapplying eviction moratoriums. The purpose of these moratoriums is to prevent homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic — period.

In WA State, Governor Jay Inslee specifically orders that the moratorium be “narrowly” applied to those unable to pay rent. Bob Ferguson, WA State AG, defies the purpose of these moratoriums by aggressively defending clients at NO RISK risk of homelessness. Meanwhile, tenants unable to pay rent wait desperately for legal justice and shelter. Nationwide, landlords suffer false prosecution while some tenants exploit the moratorium. Moratoriums across the nation must be clarified to prevent homelessness and protect landlords from unwarranted persecution.

Eviction Moratorium Clarifications:

Prevent tenants and AG from denying landlord RIGHT of ENTRY to investigate/repair rental property. Prevent tenants and AG from denying landlord RIGHT of ENTRY to show property to prospective tenants. Prevent tenants and AG from retaliating against landlords that evict with just cause. Prevent private attorneys and AG from defending clients at no risk of homelessness. Ability to pay must be evaluated before attorneys falsely prosecute landlords operating in good-faith. Prevent tenants, with the ability to pay rent, from exploiting eviction moratoriums.

Based on the AG’s enforcement of the Proclamation thus far,

Tenants can block landlord and workers from conducting inspection and repairs on rental property; and

Tenants can block prospective tenants from viewing property.

Tenants, with ability to pay, can retaliate against landlords that evict with due cause.

Furthermore, blocking employment of workers — that ARE directly affected by the pandemic due to lay off or reduced work increases risk of homelessness and financial ruin — violates the intent of the Proclamation entirely.

Landlords, taxpayers, and those unable to pay rent are fed up with AGs abusing power and wasting resources. Attorney Generals must be reigned in to prevent homelessness — now.

Additionally, up-to-date information must be broadly available. The government should mandate that websites and online search engines update systems to display current moratorium requirements. Google search and website results conducted in October, November, and December 2020 display falsely that the eviction moratorium in WA State ended 8/1/2020. Landlords and tenants should not be unduly burdened to access current information.

Exhibit A) Google displays Eviction Moratorium ending 8/1/2020

October, November, and December 2020 Google search results show that the eviction moratorium in WA State ended August 1st 2020. Misinformation makes it difficult for landlords and tenants to act with goodwill and in good faith.

Exhibit B) Website displays Eviction Moratorium ending 8/1/2020

In October 2020, tenantsunion.org website displayed that eviction moratorium ended August 1st 2020 in WA State.

DeEtte Day, Owner/Landlord of ONE rental in Seattle WA.

Temporary (unpaid) Policy Advisor to WA State Governor Jay Inslee.

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