Motoda v. Donohoe

Marie Donohoe rented an apartment from Kiyo Motoda, an apartment house owner, on a month-to-month tenancy. She was served with a 20-day notice to quit the premises. Upon her refusal to leave, the owner brought an action for unlawful detainer under RCW 59.12.030.

The trial court granted a motion to strike appellant’s answer and also granted judgment on the pleadings. Donohoe appeals and assigns as error these actions by the trial court.

The sole question we decide on appeal is whether certain “equitable defenses” raised presented an issue of fact which made a judgment on the pleadings…