Guidance For Landlords During Coronavirus – Washington

Washington residents are being asked to stay home in order to help slow the spread of coronavirus. But many have been left wondering how they will be able to keep a roof over their heads.

The economic changes that have accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic have many people asking how they will manage their mortgage or rental payments on their severely reduced income. Landlords, in particular, are faced with the challenge of meeting their own needs while supporting the tenants.

Below you will find details and links to both Federal and State guidance on mortgages, evictions, and the resources available to help both landlords and tenants at this difficult time.

Table Of Contents For WA Landlords During COVID-19

• Mortgage Forbearance For Coronavirus In Washington
• Evictions And Nonpayment Due To Coronavirus In Washington
• Resources For Tenants During Coronavirus In Washington
• Can I Show A Rented Unit In Washington During Coronavirus?

In order to support the property market, the federal government has passed the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act. The act puts a stay on all evictions on homes with federally backed mortgages and from rented dwellings part of federal schemes (CARES 4024).

The act also allows for a moratorium on all federally backed mortgages, with penalty-free payment deferrals for up to one year (CARES 4023).

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Mortgage Forbearance For Coronavirus In Washington

On March 31, 2020, the Governor of Washington State, Jay Inslee, and Director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Charlie Clark, announced a series of measures to help homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages as a result of the COVD-19 pandemic.

Specifically, mortgage providers have been pushed to work with homeowners to offer forbearance on mortgage repayments while waiving any associated fees or additional interest, though standard interest is still expected to accrue. The full guidance provided to Mortgage Servicers can be seen here. Those requesting relief will be required to demonstrate that they are facing financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DFI has also set up a free hotline to provide assistance and advice to homeowners in distress, and released a Foreclosure Prevention Guide. At the current time, foreclosures cannot be acted on for 60 days after March 18, 2020.

A number of Washington counties are also allowing property tax to be delayed. Currently, the deadline has been extended from the normal April 30 deadline until June 1, 2020.

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Evictions And Nonpayment Due To Coronavirus In Washington

On March 18, 2020, a moratorium on evictions was announced for the state of Washington. It is currently in place until June 4, but is expected to be extended to cover the full duration of the COVID-19 crisis.

The order specifically prohibits residential landlords from serving eviction notices for non-payment, and law enforcement is prohibited from acting on eviction cases. The same regulations have not, at this time, been extended to commercial property.

The only exception to the moratorium on evictions is that a 20-day notice can be served if it is to ensure the health and safety of the tenant or other individuals. The notice must be accompanied by a signed affidavit to that effect.

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Resources For Tenants During Coronavirus In Washington

Some individual City and County Councils are currently developing procedures to help renters gain access to funds to cover rental payments, but no specific details have yet been released. There is also no information available about a state-wide scheme.

Tenants are being encouraged to come to individual arrangements with their landlords, and to contact the Washington 2-1-1 helpline if they need assistance approaching the situation. They are also suggesting that tenants contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s counseling service as a further resource.

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Can I Show A Rented Unit In Washington During Coronavirus?

No specific restrictions have been introduced in Washington around the normal movement of tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the exception of the moratorium on evictions. This does mean that individuals cannot be evicted from where they are currently a resident, even if their tenancy agreement has concluded.

Showing rental properties, even if they are currently occupied, has not been prohibited. However:

1. the act should not be able to be construed as a threat of eviction to the current tenant
2. the landlord should take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of the current resident and the viewer.

This may include sensible measures such as not showing units that are occupied by vulnerable people or anyone showing potential symptoms of the coronavirus. Protective gear, such as masks and gloves, should also be used, and social distancing guidelines respected. Advice on best practice is provided by the CDC.

More comprehensive cleaning and sanitizing will also be required between tenancies.

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