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Wash. Supreme Court published opinion — 1029055.pdf

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Wash. Supreme Court published opinion — 1029055.pdf
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Washington (state)
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disrupting the unit, as well as excessive garbage. Id. at 6-7 (ex. D-F) (10-day notices);

see RCW 59.18.650(2)(b) (landlords must provide 10 days’ notice to tenants to comply

with rental agreement or vacate a property). The notice also listed activities occurring at

the unit that resulted in three city of Kent police reports in which officers responded to

shootings, recovered stolen vehicles, arrested two suspects (one of which was Knight’s

son, Andre), and recovered other stolen property. Id. at 5-7, 10-23 (ex. A-C), 36-39 (ex.

G) (Kent police reports), 52-53 (ex. J) (Kent Police Department critical incident e-mail).

At one point, bounty hunters attempted to enter the unit to take Andre Knight into

custody for outstanding warrants. In addition, the unit contained evidence of drug

activity, bullet holes, and dog feces, and was missing smoke detectors when police and

Housing Authority representatives entered it in January 2023, prior to issuing the vacate

notice. Id. at 7-8, 54-61 (ex. K).

Three days after notice was served, the Knights had not vacated the unit. The

Housing Authority then filed a complaint for an unlawful detainer and motion to show

2
For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.
Hous. Auth. v. Knight, No. 102905-5

cause. After a hearing, at which the Knights were not present, a commissioner of the

King County Superior Court concluded that the property fell under the CARES Act’s 30-

day notice requirement for evictions. Because Knight was provided only 3 days’ notice

to vacate, the commissioner denied the unlawful detainer petition and dismissed the

eviction action without prejudice. The Housing Authority appealed. Notation Ruling,

No. 85031-8-I (Wash. Ct. App. Apr. 4, 2023).