Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12 § 59.12.090
Writ of restitution -- Bond.
Operative Text
The plaintiff at the time of commencing an action of forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer, or at any time afterwards, may apply to the judge of the court in which the action is pending for a writ of restitution restoring to the plaintiff the property in the complaint described, and the judge shall order a writ of restitution to issue. The writ shall be issued by the clerk of the superior court in which the action is pending, and be returnable in twenty days after its date; but before any writ shall issue prior to judgment the plaintiff shall execute to the defendant and file in court a bond in such sum as the court or judge may order, with sufficient surety to be approved by the clerk, conditioned that the plaintiff will prosecute his or her action without delay, and will pay all costs that may be adjudged to the defendant, and all damages which he or she may sustain by reason of the writ of restitution having been issued, should the same be wrongfully sued out.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.090, a landlord who has filed a forcible entry, detainer, or unlawful detainer action may request a writ of restitution from the court at any point during the case, which—if granted—orders the return of the described property to the plaintiff. If the writ is sought before a final judgment is entered, the court requires the plaintiff to post a bond in an amount the court sets, backed by an approved surety. That bond serves as a financial guarantee that the plaintiff will pursue the case diligently and will cover the defendant's costs and damages if the writ turns out to have been wrongfully issued.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers pursuing an unlawful detainer or forcible entry action under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.090 who want early possession of the property generally apply to the presiding judge for a writ of restitution. When seeking the writ before judgment, a compliant operator prepares and files a bond in the court-ordered amount, with a surety approved by the clerk, covering potential costs and damages to the tenant if the writ is later found to have been improperly obtained. Operators typically ensure the action moves forward without unnecessary delay, as the bond is conditioned on diligent prosecution of the case.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.090, if a landlord obtains a writ of restitution before a final judgment and that writ is later found to have been wrongfully issued, the bond the landlord was required to post exists specifically to compensate the tenant for resulting damages and costs. Tenants who believe a pre-judgment writ of restitution was improperly sought may raise that issue in the pending court proceeding or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Washington unlawful detainer law. Keeping records of any losses or costs tied to the writ can be relevant to any claim against the bond.
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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