Unlawful detainer notices

AN ACT Relating to removing the personal delivery requirement for 1
unlawful detainer notices; and amending RCW 59.12.040.2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 59.12.040 and 2021 c 115 s 14 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
Any notice provided for in this chapter shall be served either 6
(1) by ((delivering a copy personally to the person entitled thereto; 7
or (2) if he or she be absent from the premises unlawfully held, by 8
leaving there a copy, with some person of suitable age and 9
discretion,)) affixing a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place on 10
the premises unlawfully held and also sending a copy through the mail 11
addressed to the person entitled thereto at his or her place of 12
residence; or (((3))) (2) if the person to be notified be a tenant, 13
or an unlawful holder of premises, and his or her place of residence 14
is not known, ((or if a person of suitable age and discretion there 15
cannot be found )) then by affixing a copy of the notice in a 16
conspicuous place on the premises unlawfully held ((, and also 17
delivering a copy to a person there residing, if such a person can be 18
found)), and also sending a copy through the mail addressed to the 19
tenant, or unlawful occupant, at the place where the premises 20
unlawfully held are situated. Service upon a subtenant may be made in 21
H-0463.1
HOUSE BILL 1342
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Connors and Barkis
Read first time 01/16/25. Referred to Committee on Housing.
p. 1 HB 1342
the same manner: PROVIDED, That in cases where the tenant or unlawful 1
occupant, shall be conducting a hotel, inn, lodging house, boarding 2
house, or shall be renting rooms while still retaining control of the 3
premises as a whole, that the guests, lodgers, boarders, or persons 4
renting such rooms shall not be considered as subtenants within the 5
meaning of this chapter, but all such persons may be served by 6
affixing a copy of the notice to be served in two conspicuous places 7
upon the premises unlawfully held; and such persons shall not be 8
necessary parties defendant in an action to recover possession of 9
said premises. Service of any notice provided for in this chapter may 10
be had upon a corporation by delivering a copy thereof to any 11
officer, agent, or person having charge of the business of such 12
corporation, at the premises unlawfully held, and in case no such 13
officer, agent, or person can be found upon such premises, then 14
service may be had by affixing a copy of such notice in a conspicuous 15
place upon said premises and by sending a copy through the mail 16
addressed to such corporation at the place where said premises are 17
situated. Proof of any service under this section may be made by the 18
affidavit of the person making the same in like manner and with like 19
effect as the proof of service of summons in civil actions. When a 20
copy of notice is sent through the mail, as provided in this section, 21
service shall be deemed complete when such copy is deposited in the 22
United States mail in the county in which the property is situated 23
properly addressed with postage prepaid: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That when 24
service is made by mail one additional day shall be allowed before 25
the commencement of an action based upon such notice.26
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 1342