RCW 59.18.055
Notice—Alternative procedure—Court's jurisdiction limited—Application to chapter 59.20 RCW.
(1) When the landlord, after the exercise of due diligence, is unable to personally serve the summons on the tenant, the landlord may use the alternative means of service as follows:
(a) The summons and complaint shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises unlawfully held, not less than nine days from the return date stated in the summons; and
(b) Copies of the summons and complaint shall be deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, by both regular mail and certified mail directed to the tenant's or tenants' last known address not less than nine days from the return date stated in the summons.
(2) When service on the tenant or tenants is accomplished by this alternative procedure, the court's jurisdiction is limited to restoring possession of the premises to the landlord and no money judgment may be entered against the tenant or tenants until such time as jurisdiction over the tenant or tenants is obtained.
(3) Before the entry of any judgment or issuance of a writ of restitution due to the tenant's failure to appear, the landlord shall provide the court with a declaration from the person or persons who served the tenant that describes the service achieved, and if by alternative service pursuant to this section, that describes the efforts at personal service before alternative service was used and a declaration from the landlord stating his or her belief that the tenant cannot be found.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the exercise of due diligence is met if the landlord attempts personal service on the tenant at least three times over not less than two days and at different times of the day.
(5) This section shall apply to this chapter and chapter 59.20 RCW.
[ 2019 c 356 § 11; 1997 c 86 § 1; 1989 c 342 § 14.]
NOTES:
Intent—2019 c 356: See note following RCW 59.12.030.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 59 - Landlord and Tenant
Chapter 59.18 - Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.
59.18.020 - Rights and remedies—Obligation of good faith imposed.
59.18.040 - Living arrangements exempted from chapter.
59.18.050 - Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.
59.18.058 - Notice—Translated versions—Legal or advocacy resource information.
59.18.063 - Landlord—Written receipts for payments made by tenant.
59.18.065 - Landlord—Copy of written rental agreement to tenant.
59.18.075 - Seizure of illegal drugs—Notification of landlord.
59.18.080 - Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies—Exceptions.
59.18.090 - Landlord's failure to remedy defective condition—Tenant's choice of actions.
59.18.120 - Defective condition—Unfeasible to remedy defect—Termination of tenancy.
59.18.160 - Landlord's remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition.
59.18.170 - Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out duties—Late fees.
59.18.190 - Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance.
59.18.210 - Tenancies from year to year except under written contract.
59.18.220 - End of tenancy for a specified time—Armed forces exception.
59.18.240 - Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Prohibited.
59.18.250 - Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Presumptions—Rebuttal—Costs.
59.18.253 - Deposit to secure occupancy by tenant—Landlord's duties—Violation.
59.18.255 - Source of income—Landlords prohibited from certain acts—Violation—Penalties.
59.18.315 - Mediation of disputes by independent third party.
59.18.320 - Arbitration—Authorized—Exceptions—Notice—Procedure.
59.18.330 - Arbitration—Application—Hearings—Decisions.
59.18.350 - Arbitration—Completion of arbitration after giving notice.
59.18.354 - Threatening behavior by landlord—Termination of agreement—Financial obligations.
59.18.363 - Unlawful detainer action—Distressed home, previously.
59.18.365 - Unlawful detainer action—Summons—Form.
59.18.367 - Unlawful detainer action—Limited dissemination authorized, when.
59.18.415 - Applicability to certain single-family dwelling leases.
59.18.420 - RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable.
59.18.430 - Applicability to prior, existing or future leases.
59.18.435 - Applicability to proprietary leases.
59.18.500 - Gang-related activity—Legislative findings, declarations, and intent.
59.18.550 - Drug and alcohol free housing—Program of recovery—Terms—Application of chapter.
59.18.570 - Victim protection—Definitions.
59.18.575 - Victim protection—Notice to landlord—Termination of rental agreement—Procedures.
59.18.585 - Victim protection—Possession of dwelling unit—Exclusion of others—New lock or key.
59.18.590 - Death of a tenant—Designated person.
59.18.595 - Death of a tenant—Landlord duties—Disposition of property procedures—Liability.
59.18.610 - Installments—Deposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month's rent—Statutory penalty.
59.18.620 - Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
59.18.630 - Eviction moratorium—Unpaid rent—Repayment plans—Rental assistance.
59.18.660 - Eviction resolution pilot program.
59.18.900 - Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 207.
59.18.911 - Effective date—1989 c 342.
59.18.912 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.