Washington State Tenant Removal

[Chris Parrish]

My partner and I are about to close on a 5 unit apartment complex in Longview, Washington. One of the tenants has been in the unit for a decade and has been smoking in their unit. Not only that, but the unit needs major repairs and the tenant is not "quality tenant" material. While we were looking at the property, the tenant was screaming at us from upstairs not to raise their rent! 

Here are the main details: 

- The tenant is currently in a month-to-month lease with the previous owner. 

- Tenant receives rent help from HUD.

- The unit has drywall in the unit that is falling down from the ceiling and may not be a safe place to live. 

- We want the tenant gone. Plain and simple. We suspect drug use, but obviously can't prove anything. 

How would you proceed with this? Does anyone recommend a real estate lawyer or property management company in Washington that we should chat with in order to get adequate advice? We are happy to pay a consultation fee, but we just want to make sure everything is done correctly.