Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12 § 59.12.010
Forcible entry defined.
Operative Text
Every person is guilty of a forcible entry who either -- (1) By breaking open windows, doors or other parts of a house, or by fraud, intimidation or stealth, or by any kind of violence or circumstance of terror, enters upon or into any real property; or -- (2) Who, after entering peaceably upon real property, turns out by force, threats or menacing conduct the party in actual possession.
Washington's forcible entry statute, found at Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.010 et seq., defines two distinct forms of unlawful entry onto real property. The first covers situations where someone gains access by breaking physical barriers, using deception, intimidation, stealth, or any form of violence or terror. The second covers situations where someone enters a property peacefully but then uses force, threats, or menacing behavior to drive out whoever is lawfully in possession.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.010 et seq., property owners and managers are expected to understand that self-help removal of a tenant — such as using threats, intimidation, or physical force to push out an occupant — falls squarely within the statutory definition of forcible entry. Compliant operators rely on formal legal processes, such as unlawful detainer proceedings, rather than direct confrontation or coercive conduct to address possession disputes. Familiarity with this definition helps operators avoid conduct that could expose them to legal liability under Washington's forcible entry framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.010 et seq. provides a legal definition that can be relevant to tenants who have been removed or threatened with removal through force, intimidation, or menacing conduct rather than through a proper court process. A tenant in actual possession who is subjected to such conduct may have grounds to raise a forcible entry claim or assert it as a defense in related proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services in Washington can help individuals understand how this definition applies to their circumstances and what general enforcement paths may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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