Lease expiring, tenants not leaving saying moving is expensive

[Amador Abreu]

Dear Community

My current tenants have 1 year lease which expires now May 31st.
They were not paying so I have referred then to a King County rental assistance program, which they successfully qualified.
I was able to get the back due rent and 3 more months of rent at the end of January. This made them good for Feb, Mar and Apr 2022.
In order to participate in the program, I had to agree not to evict them for 6 months after funds were deposited in my account. This means that legally I cannot evict them until end of July 2022, if necessary.

They approached me asking for a month-to-month lease renewal, which I had declined, as I have intentions of helping a niece that is moving to my area and I will rent the house to her.
By knowing that, they decided to use the last month's, already paid rent, for May.
Mid May I asked for a moving schedule (most of my communication is via text message), but there were unresponsive.
In an attempt to minimize problems, I have offered them to extend the lease by 2 more months which would take me to the end of my mandatory eviction free period. The conditions were that they would pay May and June. The tenant told me that moving was expensive and he did not find anything, so they were not moving and took on my offer.

However, he is being unresponsive regarding signing the lease extension and about paying May's (already late) rent.

I would love to hear from you on some recommendations. I am thinking on offering (via email) that he uses the last month (already paid upfront) for May, but that he pays June and July.
I am extremely worried he will not pay and will just sit in my house.

I am also worried he is smoking inside, which I warned him about quite a few times not to do, and potentially destroying my property with careless occupancy. They house was in perfect conditions when I rented it out to him.

Do I need to do any kind of written warning or beef up my lease extension form? I am already including in the lease extension form that we will not be renewing the lease and that the house must be vacated by Jul 30th 11:59pm. Is this ok even if July ends on 31st?
He has been an absolute nightmare. Recently he asked for the lease again (I had already shared with him in the first day) , and I suspect he is working with someone on a loophole of some sort. I might be paranoid but he does not communicate, hasn't paid rent since end part of last year and gives me all signs of someone trying to take all the advantage he can get, so I need to protect myself.

Any words of direction will be appreciated.
Thank you!! You guys are my rock 

[Theresa Harris]

Moving is not that expensive if they do it themselves-rent a UHaul and pack it up.  Talk to the rental assistance program that you talked to before and tell them that he is not paying the rent, you've offered to renew the lease until the end of July but he won't sign it and you need the place for your family member who is moving to the area.

Tell them they need to be out by X day and that is final. And they need to sign the lease extension or May 31 is the last day.  Go by the house and talk to them.  Some people will use any excuse to find the easiest way out and I think you have one of those tenants.  You can offer them $500 towards renting a moving truck if they are out by X day, but tell them that will not be paid until they are out and you have the keys.

[Nathan Gesner]

Stop talking to the Tenant. Hire an attorney now and start working through the attorney to terminate and evict, if necessary. If you continue trying this on your own, the tenants will continue to ignore you and stay put. Even if you do get them to communicate, they may just lie and stay put. Work through an attorney to show you mean business and put this one to bed.

[Mo Maktari]

At least point I would just legally start the eviction process. No sense at this point of trying to help someone who clearly does not have your interest in mind.

[Amador Abreu]

Thank you all for the replies. It is really helpful.
I am demanding payment of the months in advance in order to extend lease.
It will be an interesting experience. 

[Henry T.]

Nathan G. is right. Get an attorney now!!!  You are in over your head. This is Seattle, and Seattle is not your friend. In Seattle you MUST offer a lease renewal unless you have "just cause" not to. What is your "just cause"? Your niece moving in? Then you have to serve notice, (with all the technicals) and do it properly, NOT by email.   Find a Seattle eviction attorney to do it, or you'll be chasing your tail.

[Natalie Roger]

Like other have mentioned, Seattle and the surrounding areas have several layers of landlord tenant laws to navigate. Best to find a landlord tenant law attorney and make sure they are currently practicing! Dimension Law Group in Federal Way is a great one and there are others as well. Spending a little on sound advice will save you a lot down the road. Best of luck!

[Henry T.]

Many attorneys don't know crap, and will practice/learn on your dollar.

I've read many articles from the attorneys below,  and believe they are serious

about staying up to date with recent legislation. Try anyone of these:

https://www.ltservices.net/

https://www.kickemoutquick.com...

https://www.accessevictions.co...

https://www.cuttinglaw.com/

https://www.brinkatlaw.com/sea...

https://www.puckettredford.com...

https://washingtonlandlordtena...

[Sherief Elbassuoni]

@Amador Abreu, talk to an eviction attorney and let him/her handle that