Eviction settlements can’t strip tenants’ rights

Most evictions in Washington State never go to court. They are resolved through settlements between landlords and tenants. 

After Kathleen and Aaron Allen, mother and daughter, were threatened with eviction, they agreed to a settlement with their landlord, Princeton Property Management. In the end, however, Princeton evicted them based on settlement terms that compelled the Allens to waive their rights as tenants. Although both Kathleen and Aaron were severely disabled, they were forced into homelessness. NJP attorneys worked with the Allens to challenge the settlement’s legality. We took the case to the Washington Court of Appeals, and the Allens won.

The outcome was far-reaching: it made clear that landlord/tenant settlements could not force tenants to waive their legal rights. But there was more to do. Recognizing that the landlord had a pattern of abusing tenants, NJP partnered with a private law firm, which sued the landlord. They won a precedent-setting $725,000 settlement for the wrongful eviction of Aaron Allen and the estate of his mother, who had passed away before the original eviction case was resolved.

How Julie Sued Her Landlord – and What it Means for Other Renters

It is unfortunately too common for landlords to refuse to accept rental assistance, such as housing vouchers, to help cover the cost of rent. This was the case for Julie Heston – during her most vulnerable time. When Julie was in danger of falling behind on bills after shoulder surgery during the COVID pandemic, she was able to obtain four months rental assistance through the Community Action Center (CAC) in Pullman. Her landlord, Ed Christensen, was irate. He made clear that he had no intention of participating in any government program to help low-income renters. Julie turned to NJP.