Washington faces a lawsuit from landlords and a business association over lost income become of an order temporarily banning evictions. | Stock Photo at Getty Images
Washington faces a lawsuit from landlords and a business association over lost income become of an order temporarily banning evictions. | Stock Photo at Getty Images
Gov. Jay Inslee's temporary ban on evictions faces a lawsuit from landlords and the Washington Business Properties Associations for lost income.
“The problem is that we are being asked to provide a service for free, but we are still expected to pay the taxes on the properties and pay for the upkeep,” Dan Horwath said, a landlord in Washington, The Daily Chronicle reported.
Property owners across the state have been unable to evict tenants for not paying rent since March 18 as a result of the state government's temporary block on evictions.
Inslee implemented the moratorium to assist residents unable to pay rent as a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium has been extended four times and is scheduled to expire at the end of the year, but it could be extended yet again as the pandemic continues.
Landlords are pushing the lawsuit to urge the state to come up with better solutions for everyone involved, The Daily Chronicle reported.
The moratorium won't last forever and does not let renters off the hook for back rent. When the moratorium eventually ends, Lewis County will likely see a flood of evictions as the total bill becomes due, The Daily Chronicle reported. Local organizations are preparing for a surge of homeless individuals and families.
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