Evergreen Reporter

Last week, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced several extensions of COVID-19 forgiveness and relief programs as the viral pandemic continues to rock the Washington economy across the state. 

According to an Oct. 14 press release from the governor's office, the Moratorium on Evictions (20-19.4) and the Ratepayer Assistance proclamation (20-23.11) have been extended to December 31 of this year. 

The evictions extension made several modifications to the moratorium, including: clarifying that there is tenant behavior that threatens the safety of other people on the premises and allows the landlord to seek eviction of the tenant; allowing landlords to notify tenants of rent increases in the future, barring that the notice clearly states that the increase will not go into effect until the moratorium's expiration; establishes clear expectations for communications between tenants and landlords; and requires that homeowners provide, in the form of a signed affidavit under penalty of perjury, a 60-day notice if they intend to sell or occupy the premises where the tenant resides. 

The ratepayer bars utility companies, including telecommunications, water and energy, from: disconnecting a residential service due to nonpayment on an active account, except at the resident's request; refusing to reconnect a residential customer that has been removed from service due to nonpayment; charging fees to the customer for late payment or reconnection of services; disconnecting residential customers who have contacted the utility to ask for assistance from a COVID support program. 

The proclamations do not release tenants and customers form all financial obligations related to rent and utility.