Short answer. At the hearing on the writ, the tenant may answer orally or in writing and raise any defense arising from the tenancy. Who carries out a lockout: sheriff.
At a glance
- Time to answer or appear
- At the hearing on the writ, the tenant may answer orally or in writing and raise any defense arising from the tenancy.
"may answer, orally or in writing, and assert any legal or equitable defense or set-off arising out of the tenancy"
Source 3 - Judgment to writ
- In a nonpayment judgment, execution waits five court days so the tenant can reinstate by paying.
"execution upon the judgment shall not occur until the expiration of five court days after the entry of the judgment."
Source 2 - Writ to lockout
- The sheriff serves the writ and can't execute it for three days after.
"shall not execute the same for three days thereafter"
Source 1 - Who carries out the lockout
- Sheriff. The sheriff serves and executes the writ of restitution.
"shall not execute the same for three days thereafter"
Source 1 - Paying to stop the case
- In a nonpayment case the tenant can reinstate the tenancy by paying the rent due plus costs and fees in the judgment within five court days.
"tender the amount stated within the judgment"
Source 2
Sample timeline: filed Monday, December 7, 2026
Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
- Answer or appear: no date (Due at the hearing, and the official pages don't give a period for the hearing)
- Hearing or trial: no date (The official pages don't give a period for setting the hearing)
- Judgment: no date (Follows the hearing, which isn't dated here)
- Writ or warrant of possession: no date (5 court days after the judgment, which isn't dated here)
- Earliest lockout: no date (3 days after the writ, which isn't dated here)
Another date: open the estimator.
Help the official pages point to
- In a nonpayment case the tenant can reinstate the tenancy by paying the rent due plus costs and fees in the judgment within five court days.
Worth knowing
The appointed-counsel statute (RCW 59.18.640) and the chapter's full text couldn't be opened, so the court and counsel fields stay blank.
Not stated on the pages we read: court, filing fee, hearing after filing, right to counsel (statewide), diversion or mediation (statewide).
Official sources
- Revised Code of Washington 59.18.390 (checked November 2026)
- Revised Code of Washington 59.18.410 (checked November 2026)
- Revised Code of Washington 59.18.380 (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Not a court form. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
Common questions
How long does a tenant in Washington have to respond?
At the hearing on the writ, the tenant may answer orally or in writing and raise any defense arising from the tenancy.
When can a Washington landlord get the writ after winning?
In a nonpayment judgment, execution waits five court days so the tenant can reinstate by paying.
How long between the writ and a lockout in Washington?
The sheriff serves the writ and can't execute it for three days after.
Who carries out an eviction in Washington?
Sheriff. The sheriff serves and executes the writ of restitution. The officer acts on the court's order.
Can paying the rent stop a Washington eviction case?
In a nonpayment case the tenant can reinstate the tenancy by paying the rent due plus costs and fees in the judgment within five court days.
Anything else to know about Washington evictions?
The appointed-counsel statute (RCW 59.18.640) and the chapter's full text couldn't be opened, so the court and counsel fields stay blank.
Notice step: notice periods · Deposit step: deposit rules · All states: eviction process by state · Virginia