The statute goes on to direct tenants to
GET HELP: If you do not respond by the deadline above, you
will lose your right to defend yourself or be represented by a lawyer if
you cannot afford one in court and could be evicted.
Id.
Next, the statutory form explains how to respond to the summons,
HOW TO RESPOND: Phone calls to your Landlord or your
Landlord’s lawyer are not a response. You may respond with a “notice
of appearance.” This is a letter that includes the following:
(1) A statement that you are appearing in the court case
(2) Names of the landlord(s) and the tenant(s) (as listed above)
(3) Your name, your address where the legal documents may be
sent, your signature, phone number (if any), and case number (if the case is
filed).
Id. (emphasis added). Plaintiffs are directed to mail, fax, or hand deliver the “response
letter to your Landlord’s lawyer.” Id.
Finally, the form ends with a section regarding a court date. “COURT DATE: If
you respond to this Summons, you will be notified of your hearing date in a document
9
For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.
Sangha v. Keen et al., No. 103332-0
called an ‘Order to Show Cause.’” Id. (emphasis added). It warns the tenant, “If you get
notice of a hearing, you must go to the hearing. If you do not show up, your landlord
can evict you.” Id.
RCW 59.18.365(3) tells tenants how to respond to an eviction summons. The
response cannot be a phone call; it must be a written response received by a prescribed
date and time. Id. Importantly, in the section titled “HOW TO RESPOND,” a tenant
“may respond with a ‘notice of appearance.’” Id. (boldface omitted). That notice is a
letter that may be mailed, faxed, or delivered to the landlord or their attorney. Id. RCW