If a tenant believes that the owner does not intend to carry out the stated
reason for eviction and complains to the city, the landlord must file a certification
with the city stating the owner's intent to carry out the stated reason for eviction.31
A tenant has a private claim for damages against an owner who evicts, or
attempts to evict, the tenant because an immediate family member or owner
intends to use the premises but does not fulfill or carry out this reason for
terminating the tenancy.32
The Landlords served a notice to quit at the rental property. The
Landlords' notice to quit the premises stated, "[W]e seek to possess the Property
so that at least one immediate family member (or, in the alternative, one of us)
may occupy the Property as a principal residence." After the Tenants
complained to the city, the Landlords filed a certified declaration with the city of
Seattle, stating that the Landlords intended to use the property as a primary
residence for an immediate family member33
Tenants contend that the notice "simply parroted the language" of the
statute34 and that the Landlords must provide specific information. Copying the
30 SMC 22.206.160(C)(1)(e).
31 SMC 22.206.160(C)(4).
32 SMC 22.206.160(C)(6), (7).
33 SMC 22.206.160(C)(4).
34 SMC 22.206.160(C)(1)(e).
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language of SMC 22.206.160(C)(1)(e) without adding more detailed, specific
information does not make the notice insufficient. The plain language of SMC
22.206.160(C)(3) does not require a landlord to provide more specific
information, such as the name of the person or people moving in, when they are
moving in, or why they are moving to the premises. The Tenants have not