Heaverlo v. Keico Industries, Inc.

Washington’s unlawful detainer statute (RCW 59.12) authorizes a limited summary proceeding to determine the right to possession of property. Skarperud v. Long, 40 Wn. App. 548, 550, 699 P.2d 786 (1985). Counterclaims and setoffs are generally not permitted in an unlawful detainer action. Skarperud, 40 Wn. App. at 550. A lessee may, however, assert a counterclaim or a setoff, if the lessee’s covenant to pay rent is dependent upon a covenant that the lessor has breached. Skarperud, 40 Wn. App. at 550.

The dispute here centers on a farm development lease. The term of the lease was four years with…