Washington landlord hosts protest against tenant's exploitation of eviction delays: 'He's exploiting the system'

BELLEVUE, WA - A protest was held Saturday morning outside a home on 123rd Ave SE in Bellevue by a landlord who wants to evict his tenant for not paying the rent for nearly the past year.

Jaskaran Singh, the property owner, alleges that the tenant, Sang Kim, stopped paying rent in May of the previous year, leaving Singh with a significant financial loss. Despite legal action taken by Singh and involvement from the Housing Justice Project (HJP), Kim has remained in the property without paying rent.

Singh stated, "He's not ready to pay. He's exploiting the system basically." The situation has led Singh to organize a protest involving neighbors, friends, and other concerned landlords to raise awareness of what he perceives as an injustice.

The backlog in eviction cases in King County courts exacerbates the situation for Singh and other landlords. With over 600 cases pending, landlords find themselves waiting for lengthy periods, causing significant financial strain. William Shadbolt, representing the Washington Business Properties Association, criticized the delays, emphasizing the need for prioritization of eviction cases as required by state law.

“The statute still requires this to be done in 30 days, and the whole reason that statute was created was because of the consequences on homeowners and tenants as well,” Stephen Freeborn, Singh’s attorney said.

Singh's tenant, identified as Sang Kim, claimed to be a Korean national facing difficulties in the United States. Kim denied allegations of deliberate non-payment of rent, attributing the situation to misunderstandings. However, Singh asserted that Kim's actions amounted to the exploitation of the legal system.

After months of non-payment, Singh and his attorney, Stephen Freeborn, filed eviction proceedings. “The guy can't pay his rent, but he has two brand new cars parked in the driveway," Freeborn said, echoing a point he made in court filings.

Kim's attorney at the King County Bar Association's Housing Justice Project did not respond to inquiries regarding the case. Singh expressed doubts about the vetting process for clients receiving pro-bono legal assistance, alleging that unqualified individuals were taking advantage of the system.

Bellevue Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis acknowledged similar challenges faced by landlords statewide, noting a legal environment that tends to favor tenants. Republican state representative Andrew Barkis echoed concerns about the imbalance in legislation, advocating for measures to protect landlords.

Despite Singh's efforts to resolve the situation through legal channels, including mediation, the eviction process has dragged on for months. Singh lamented the financial strain caused by Kim's non-payment of rent, stressing the need for accountability in the legal system.

As the protest unfolds, Singh's situation underscores the challenges faced by landlords in Washington State. The ongoing struggle emphasizes the importance of reforms to address issues related to tenant exploitation and delays in eviction proceedings, aiming to ensure equitable treatment for both landlords and tenants.

“All the neighbors, all the mom-and-pop landlords are invited to join and raise a voice that this should stop,” Singh said. “I have suffered an $80,000 loss. This should stop. This is a fight against injustice.”