Nate Prudhon v. R. Thoreson Homes, Llc

¶1 In Seattle, a landlord may evict a tenant only if he or she has “just cause” as provided in the “Just Cause Eviction Ordinance” (JCEO). Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 22.206.160. Under the ordinance, “just cause” exists if the landlord “elects to sell” a rental property as that term is defined in the ordinance. Former SMC 22.206.160(C)(1)(f) (2011). Here, the landlord, relying on the “elects to sell” provision, gave the tenant notice of just cause for eviction after she had already sold the home. The issue is whether the landlord may properly invoke the “elects to sell” provision when the…