Landlord - Tenant

Rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants

An overview of the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants can be found in the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) RCW Chapter 59.18. 

These resources provide an overview of rights and responsibilities:

Additional material about many specific issues related to tenants' rights is available from Washington LawHelp:

The eviction process

Legislative Update Notice: Changes to requirements for eviction notices were made in HB 1003 effective July 27, 2025. You can read the Session Law where new language is underlined and deleted language is stricken, and read the Final Bill Report which gives a summary of the changes.

Legislative Update Notice: Changes to requirements for service of certain eviction notices were made in HB 2664 effective June 11, 2026. You can read the Session Law where new language is underlined and deleted language is stricken, and read the Final Bill Report which gives a summary of the changes.

The following resources give a general idea of the steps and timelines for the eviction process, but be aware that they may not include all possible steps or local rule requirements:

You can search Clark County Superior Court case records to see examples of documents filed in other unlawful detainer cases. First find the Superior Court’s unlawful detainer dockets (currently on Thursday and Friday at 1:30 pm). Those dockets provide a list of case numbers and names and indicate if there is an attorney representing a party. Those case numbers and names can then be used to search the records in the Superior Court Clerk's Office.

Clark County Superior Court has a mandatory Order to Show Cause Writ of Restitution court form to be used in unlawful detainer cases when needed.

Self-help residential eviction kits from other counties for property owners

The Clark County Law Library does not sell a self-help eviction kit that can be used by property owners. These are self-help kits we are aware of in the state. If you have questions about either of the kits below, please contact the respective law library. Clark County law librarians cannot help you decide if another county's kit is the correct one for your situation.

The King County Law Library has a residential eviction kit for sale that is designed for King County and includes local rules for that county. This kit is designed to be used by property owners who have a landlord-tenant relationship, i.e., lease agreement with the other party(ies). The kit includes a 14-day Pay Rent or Vacate Notice, a 10-Day Comply or Vacate Notice, and a Notice to Terminate a Periodic Tenancy.

The Pierce County Law Library has a residential eviction kit for sale that is designed for Pierce County and includes local rules for that county. This kit is designed to be used by property owners who have a landlord-tenant relationship, i.e., lease agreement with the other party(ies). The kit includes a 14-day Pay Rent or Vacate Notice, a 10-Day Comply or Vacate Notice, and a Notice to Terminate a Periodic Tenancy.

Because every local government may have its own requirements, you may need to customize forms or modify procedures to remove local information from another county in the kit you purchase and add Clark County local information. For example, you may need to consult King County court rules, King County local ordinances, and any King County local orders, or Pierce County court rules, Pierce County local ordinances, and any Pierce County local orders. Then you would need to make sure that you comply with Clark County local ordinances, local court rules, and any general orders issued by the court. You should consult with an attorney if you have any questions about the process or how to customize the forms within the kit.

Eviction defense

Washington LawHelp has information about various types of eviction notices and how you can respond if you get an eviction or termination notice:

If you were served with a Summons and Complaint for ejectment rather than eviction, Washington LawHelp has information and forms to respond:

Self-help residential eviction defense kit for tenants from Clark County

Tenants who are facing an eviction case and have been served with a Summons and Complaint by their landlord can use this packet for information, instructions, and forms to represent themselves in their eviction case.

This kit was created by the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program using grant funding from Superior Court.

Additional resources

The Access to Community Eviction Support (ACES) program connects landlords and tenants with legal, financial, and other resources and information to help resolve housing disputes and address other holistic needs. Fill out the intake form on their website, email SuperiorCourtEDI@clark.wa.gov, or call 360.946.8907.

Community Mediation Services provide mediation resources to facilitate dialogue and negotiation between tenants and landlords to resolve issues.