Revised Code of Washington - RCW Title 59 Landlord And Tenant - Section 59.18.365 Unlawful detainer action -- Summons -- Form
§ 59.18.365. Unlawful detainer action -- Summons -- Form
(1) The summons must contain the names of the parties to the proceeding, the attorney or attorneys if any, the court in which the same is brought, the nature of the action, in concise terms, and the relief sought, and also the return day; and must notify the defendant to appear and answer within the time designated or that the relief sought will be taken against him or her. The summons must contain a street address for service of the notice of appearance or answer and, if available, a facsimile number for the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney, if represented. The summons must be served and returned in the same manner as a summons in other actions is served and returned.
(2) A defendant may serve a copy of an answer or notice of appearance by any of the following methods:
(a) By delivering a copy of the answer or notice of appearance to the person who signed the summons at the street address listed on the summons;
(b) By mailing a copy of the answer or notice of appearance addressed to the person who signed the summons to the street address listed on the summons;
(c) By facsimile to the facsimile number listed on the summons. Service by facsimile is complete upon successful transmission to the facsimile number listed upon the summons;
(d) As otherwise authorized by the superior court civil rules.
(3) The summons for unlawful detainer actions for tenancies covered by this chapter shall be substantially in the following form:
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR . . . . . . COUNTY THIS IS NOTICE OF A LAWSUIT TO EVICT YOU.
PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. THE DEADLINE FOR YOUR WRITTEN
RESPONSE IS: 5:00 p.m., on . . . . . . . . . TO: . . . . . . . . . . . . (Name)
. . . . . . . . . . . . (Address)
This is notice of a lawsuit to evict you from the property which you are renting. Your landlord is asking the court to terminate your tenancy, direct the sheriff to remove you and your belongings from the property, enter a money judgment against you for unpaid rent and/or damages for your use of the property, and for court costs and attorneys' fees.
If you want to defend yourself in this lawsuit, you must respond to the eviction complaint in writing on or before the deadline stated above. You must respond in writing even if no case number has been assigned by the court yet.
You can respond to the complaint in writing by delivering a copy of a notice of appearance or answer to your landlord's attorney (or your landlord if there is no attorney) by personal delivery, mailing, or facsimile to the address or facsimile number stated below TO BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN THE DEADLINE STATED ABOVE. Service by facsimile is complete upon successful transmission to the facsimile number, if any, listed in the summons.
The notice of appearance or answer must include the name of this case (plaintiff(s) and defendant(s)), your name, the street address where further legal papers may be sent, your telephone number (if any), and your signature.
If there is a number on the upper right side of the eviction summons and complaint, you must also file your original notice of appearance or answer with the court clerk by the deadline for your written response.
You may demand that the plaintiff file this lawsuit with the court. If you do so, the demand must be in writing and must be served upon the person signing the summons. Within fourteen days after you serve the demand, the plaintiff must file this lawsuit with the court, or the service on you of this summons and complaint will be void.
If you wish to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your written response, if any, may be served on time.
You may also be instructed in a separate order to appear for a court hearing on your eviction. If you receive an order to show cause you must personally appear at the hearing on the date indicated in the order to show cause IN ADDITION to delivering and filing your notice of appearance or answer by the deadline stated above.
IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THE COMPLAINT IN WRITING BY THE DEADLINE STATED ABOVE YOU WILL LOSE BY DEFAULT. YOUR LANDLORD MAY PROCEED WITH THE LAWSUIT, EVEN IF YOU HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE PROPERTY.
The notice of appearance or answer must be delivered to:
[2008 c 75 § 1; 2006 c 51 § 1; 2005 c 130 § 3; 1989 c 342 § 15.]
Sections:
59.18.330 59.18.340 59.18.350 59.18.352 59.18.354 59.18.360 59.18.363 59.18.365
59.18.370 59.18.375 59.18.380 59.18.390 59.18.400 59.18.410 59.18.415
Last modified: April 7, 2009