Eviction Resolution Program
Eviction Resolution Pilot Program
The COVID 19 pandemic has completely changed many things, including people’s jobs, ability to pay their bills, and a general sense of safety and home. Renters want to avoid the threat of homelessness. Housing providers want to avoid the threat of bankruptcy. Washington State launched the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP) to address and mitigate disputes about rent owed.
The ERPP brings tenants and landlords together with a professionally trained, impartial mediator to help them solve rent issues before an unlawful detainer (eviction) case is filed in court. Services are free, confidential, and available regardless of immigration status.
This program is founded on three pillars: dispute resolution, legal aid, and rental assistance.
Dispute Resolution Centers (DRCs) statewide already offer mediation to resolve unpaid rent issues as part of their core services as local nonprofit, public service organizations. The Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP) is in development, and DRCs are working to prepare mediation and referral resources to support tenants and landlords to help stabilize rental housing for everyone.
Resolution Washington recognizes that people of color and other underserved community members are disproportionately impacted by these difficult times. The DRCs’ role is to provide services with a focus on helping people create solutions that work for them and providing access to justice for Washington residents statewide.
Washington's Eviction Resolution Program - How it works
Programa de Resolución para Desalojos del Estado de Washington
The ERP process
STEPS OF EVICTION RESOLUTION PILOT PROGRAM (ERPP)
Our expected start date is September 1. The steps of the process locally will be as follows through the month of September. Changes in procedure after Sept 30 will be posted here.
STEP #1
LANDLORD SERVES OFFER FOR REASONABLE REPAYMENT PLAN TO TENANT.
Tenant has 14 days to respond
STEP #2
LANDLORD SERVES ERPP NOTICE & RESOURCE INFO TO TENANT & DRC
DRC will contact tenant
Tenant has 14 days to respond
STEP #3 (only if the tenat does not respond in STEP #2 is STEP #3 necessary)
LANDLORD SERVES NOTICE TO PAY OR VACATE & SECOND ERPP NOTICE
Copy must be sent to DRC
Tenant has 14 days to respond
STEP #4
CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO LANDLORD & TENANT BY DRC
ERPP case is closed
*NOTE: The 14 day time limits apply if tenant does not respond or cooperate. The DRC will not wait to hear from tenants, but will contact all tenants to encourge them to participate in the ERPP, and to help them get the assistance they need. All tenants will be given opportunity to apply for Rental Assistance during the ERPP process. Waiting for approval for Rental Assistance may delay being able to come to agreement and close the case. Unlawful Detainer filings will not be accetped by the court until you have received an ERPP Certificate from DRC.
THERE IS PLENTY OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID-19. MANY TENANTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OR A MAJORITY OF THE AMOUNT OF BACK RENT OWED. DO NOT MOVE OUT OF YOUR RESIDENCE IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE PROCESS. THIS WILL MAKE YOU INELIGIBLE. THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO MAKE LANDLORDS WHOLE AND KEEP TENANTS IN THEIR HOMES.
Tenant information
Rent Assistant funding programs
After the State Eviction Moratorium Ends and during the Eviction Moratorium Bridge (July 1 – September 30, 2021)
In any county with an active local standing order establishing ERPP: Before your landlord can file an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit in court, they must give you the option to use the ERPP.
You may contact your local Dispute Resolution Center to find out more about the process and talk about your situation before deciding if you want to participate.
It is your choice if whether or not to participate. If you choose to participate your landlord is required to participate as well.
Staff and impartial mediators with a Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) will help tenants talk with their landlord about rent owed, and help them access rental and legal assistance.
The DRC will try to connect tenants to any available rental assistance
Tenants are encouraged to talk with a lawyer. Legal help may be provided free of charge to qualified, low-income tenants during participation in ERPP.
If the tenant does not participate in the ERPP, or if the tenant and landlord do not come to an agreement through the ERPP, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit.
If a court case occurs, the tenant may ask a lawyer for help defending them in court. There are legal aid organizations, including Housing Justice Project or Volunteer Lawyer Programs, available in each community. Services are free to qualified, low-income tenants.
Landlord information
Landlord Reasonable Repayment Offer w Agreement (SB 5160)
The Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP) is required by local Superior Court order prior to filing an unlawful detainer action for nonpayment of rent by each pilot county listed in the chart above.
The ERPP helps landlords and tenants resolve nonpayment of rent cases through dispute resolution and access to rental assistance and legal aid. The landlord and tenant may be able to access rental assistance to repay the rent owed, work out a plan for the tenant to pay the rent owed over time, or create a plan to move out without an unlawful detainer action.
The local Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) helps tenants and landlords communicate through informal and formal processes including conciliation, meet and confer, and mediation. DRCs are impartial and serve to help you and the tenant to resolve the issues.
Various eviction moratoriums exist locally and nationally, and landlords are strongly encouraged to consult an attorney prior to serving a 14-day notice and/or filing an unlawful detainer action.
The ERPP is a process initiated by the landlord prior to pursuing eviction through court. According to state statute and SB 5160, landlords are required to provide a reasonable rent repayment offer. Before pursuing eviction for rent owed in a county under ERPP (with a local standing order), the landlord has to provide the ERPP Notice to the tenant behind on rent payments and send a copy to the DRC serving that county. If the tenant responds to a notice and accepts services, the landlord is obligated to participate in the process. Participation involves exploring options that may include accessing rental assistance and discussing options with the tenant with help from the DRC.