With many landlords and tenants hit hard by impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, King County is expecting to face a large number of eviction cases after state and federal moratoria on evictions are lifted. In hopes of reducing the severity of a wave of evictions in the community, the King County Superior Court has established an Eviction Resolution Program (ERP) that will require problem solving steps in situations involving non-payment of rent so that there will be no need to file an eviction case. 

The program began as a pilot project in Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Thurston Counties on November 9^th.  Though state and federal eviction moratoria have not lifted yet, the program is available now in hopes landlords and tenants will join in the resolution programs early to take advantage of the assistance and get a head start on problem solving. 

The goal of the program is to bring all parties together with trained resolution specialists to explore solutions such as available state and local rental assistance, or achievable payment plans that could help tenants retain their housing and divert many situations from the legal eviction process. The program was developed by the state Superior Court Judges’ Association (SCJA) in partnership with the state Office of Civil Legal Aid.  

The objective of the ERP is to: 

• Bring all parties to the table with the assistance of qualified and trained Eviction Resolution Specialists;

• Explore the amount of rent arrears, the current and prospective circumstances of the tenant, the availability of rent and other assistance to cure or partially cure the arrearage;

• Discover a range of other terms that might resolve the matter in a way that allows the tenant to retain housing (and avoid the need for filing of an unlawful detainer action).

Landlords and tenants can find details about the eviction resolution program, and how they can participate, on the statewide web site dedicated to the program here: Eviction Resolution Pilot Program . 

• Outline to Forms in Unlawful Detainer Cases, Optional Forms (pdf packet)

• Voluntary Notice: Opportunity for Early Resolution and Response Information (.docx / .pdf)

• Legal Information

• Washington Supreme Court Order No. 25700-B-639 Authorizing Eviction Resolution Program in Superior Courts

• King County Superior Court Standing Order Re Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP)

• King County Emergency Order #21 Re Eviction Resolution Program

• King County Emergency Order #18 Re Unlawful Detainers

• Go HERE for important procedural information regarding hearings in the King County Superior Court Ex Parte and Probate Department.

• The Housing Justice Project provides free legal assistance and interpreters to low-income renters (tenants) facing eviction in King County, Washington. Tenants may call (206) 267-7069 to leave a message or email hjpstaff@kcba.org.

• Information about existing limitations on evictions during COVID 19 is HERE .

• Eligibility information for landlords and residents interested in participating in the King County Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program .

• More information about rights and protections for landlords and residents in the face of COVID-19 is available HERE .

• Governor Inslee’s current Proclamation regarding evictions and other housing practices is available HERE .

• Inquiries and complaints about evictions, rent, late fees, and other housing issues during COVID-19 can be submitted online or by calling toll-free to (833) 660-4877 and selecting Option 1.