Washington tenant laws

[Amber Bellin]

So I am asking this question for a friend who lives in another state and I am unsure of her rights. She owns her home and in order to make ends meet she let a "friend of a friend" move into her basement about 4 months ago. They have no written contract and he pays her in cash (never on time) $300/month. Well 5 days ago he mentioned to her that his cousin who lives in Kentucky was in a "bad situation" and needed to move up here. He left the next day to go see her. She learned today that he has packed her and her things into his car and is planning on moving her in! This was never discussed in anyway with my friend who is trying to get her house ready to sell. They never asked permission to move on another person let alone rent $. This man, of course, claims that she told him it was fine and his cousin could stay "as long as she needs" It's a lie but no one can prove either side. This man is staring to get belligerent over text and I am now concerned for my friends safety as well as the state of her home... I would like to do this diplomatically but I don't even know what legal options she has here. Advise? Tips? Suggestions?

[Alex Chin]

If was me, if the tenant is becoming belligerent, my first step would be to retain a lawyer and inform her/him of the whole situation. Probable second steps would be issue a formal 30-day notice to vacate and notice that you will not permit a second tenant, they have guest visitation rights but under no circumstances are they permitted to move in.

Unfortunately, without a written lease of some kind, this situation has a lot of potential to get really ugly, really fast and your friend should strap in and mentally prepare herself for the worst, this is why renting to tenants without screening or a lease is so dangerous.

By the way, I would go to a lawyer like, NOW.

Two groups I know, Tran Law Group and Spectra Law, do not specialize in evictions, but should be able to refer your friend.