What are the rules for evicting ABNB guests?

[Jack B.]

I have a guy who has been here since July, but I renew his short term stay for two weeks at a time, every two weeks. This has been going on for months. He has paid dependably, but last night he read my message and has not responded to the renewal. He actually was supposed to renew a week ago. 

What are the rules for removing this person, as I understand it he falls under hotel rules, not the landlord tenant act.

[Jonathan Greene]

It seems unlikely that he is avoiding you since he has been so consistent. I would expect him to respond based on what you said. He doesn't have a stay booked or a lease so he should just be leaving when this current two-week stay ends. Do you think he is going to hold over or squat?

[Henry T.]

May I ask a couple questions first?

Is this in Seattle?

Does this renter have kids that are in school?

If no to both, and he hasn't paid, call the police.

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Jack B.:

Have you confirmed he's still in the rental? Do that before you spend any energy trying to kick him out.

If he hasn't paid rent, you can call the police and have him escorted from the property.

[Christen G.]

Have you confirmed that he is still in the unit? Have you contacted the police or airBnB yet? Seems very strange.

[Adam Bartomeo]

Most states require 27+ days of continuous stay before they are considered a tenant and not a guest. If you have broken up those stays, every 2 weeks, then you should be able to call the police and have them removed. I doubt you will have to do this, but some areas of the country are nutsy...

[Sean Barnebey]

This situation can be tricky, especially since the guest has been staying since July with consistent two-week renewals. In Washington State, there’s often a distinction between short-term guests and tenants, but repeated and continuous occupancy can blur those lines. If someone stays at a property for 14 consecutive days or more, they could potentially be considered a tenant under state law, even if their stay is structured as short-term renewals.

If the individual is classified as a tenant, landlord-tenant laws would apply, meaning you may need to follow formal eviction procedures to remove them. However, if they are still considered a short-term guest under lodging rules, you may have more flexibility, though the specifics can depend on local regulations in Seattle.

Since this can become a legal gray area, I recommend documenting all agreements, payments, and communication with the guest. Consulting with an experienced eviction attorney in Seattle is essential to confirm their status and to ensure you’re following the correct legal process for removing them, if necessary.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney or an eviction specialist, so this is not legal advice. Please seek guidance from a qualified eviction attorney or legal professional to handle this situation properly.

Hope this helps, and best of luck resolving the matter!