(1) The
sheriff shall, upon receiving the writ of restitution, forthwith
serve a copy thereof upon the defendant, his or her agent, or
attorney, or a person in possession of the premises, and shall not
execute the same for three days thereafter, and the defendant, or
person in possession of the premises within three days after the
service of the writ of restitution may execute to the plaintiff a
bond to be filed with and approved by the clerk of the court in
such sum as may be fixed by the judge, with sufficient surety to be
approved by the clerk of the court, conditioned that they will pay
to the plaintiff such sum as the plaintiff may recover for the use
and occupation of the premises, or any rent found due, together
with all damages the plaintiff may sustain by reason of the
defendant occupying or keeping possession of the premises, together
with all damages which the court theretofore has awarded to the
plaintiff as provided in this chapter, and also all the costs of
the action. The plaintiff, his or her agent or attorneys, shall
have notice of the time and place where the court or judge thereof
shall fix the amount of the defendant's bond, and shall have notice
and a reasonable opportunity to examine into the qualification and
sufficiency of the sureties upon the bond before the bond shall be
approved by the clerk. After the issuance of a writ of
restitution, acceptance of a payment by the landlord or plaintiff
that only partially satisfies the judgment will not invalidate the
writ unless pursuant to a written agreement executed by both
parties. The eviction will not be postponed or stopped unless a
copy of that written agreement is provided to the sheriff. It is
the responsibility of the tenant or defendant to ensure a copy of
the agreement is provided to the sheriff. Upon receipt of the
agreement the sheriff will cease action unless ordered to do
otherwise by the court. The writ of restitution and the notice
that accompanies the writ of restitution required under RCW 59.18.312 shall conspicuously state in bold face type, all
capitals, not less than twelve points information about partial
payments as set forth in subsection (2) of this section. If the
writ of restitution has been based upon a finding by the court that
the tenant, subtenant, sublessee, or a person residing at the
rental premises has engaged in drug-related activity or has allowed
any other person to engage in drug-related activity at those
premises with his or her knowledge or approval, neither the tenant,
the defendant, nor a person in possession of the premises shall be
entitled to post a bond in order to retain possession of the
premises. The writ may be served by the sheriff, in the event he
or she shall be unable to find the defendant, an agent or attorney,
or a person in possession of the premises, by affixing a copy of
the writ in a conspicuous place upon the premises: PROVIDED, That
the sheriff shall not require any bond for the service or execution
of the writ. The sheriff shall be immune from all civil liability
for serving and enforcing writs of restitution unless the sheriff
is grossly negligent in carrying out his or her duty.
(2) The notice accompanying a writ of restitution required
under RCW 59.18.312 shall be substantially similar to the
following:
[1997 c 255 § 1; 1989 c 342 § 11; 1988 c 150 § 3; 1973 1st ex.s. c 207 § 40.]
NOTES:
Legislative findings -- Severability -- 1988 c 150: See notes following RCW 59.18.130.