The Bellevue Squatting Case Reveals a BROKEN EVICTION SYSTEM in King County

How Did the Kims (Almost) Get Away With It?

Let’s unpack the unlawful detainer case(s) to find out how this family lived without paying rent for 2.5 years in a $2 million Bellevue, Washington home. The Kims signed a 9-month lease in July 2022 and paid first month’s rent of $4,400.

Housing Justice Project to the Rescue

One month later, they stopped paying rent. The homeowners filed an eviction in November 2022. The case was delayed until February 2023 when the Kims showed up in court and the Housing Justice Project (pro-bono legal counsel for tenants) paid their rent for them.

Second Eviction Case

At this point, the Kims haven’t paid rent for 7 months (7x$4,400=$30,800). The very next month after their eviction case is dismissed, they fail to pay rent again. The homeowners file their second eviction case in July 2023.

Second Case Dismissed

The second case is continued in September 2023 and dismissed in November with an order of limited dissemination (homeowners can’t disclose eviction case to future landlords).

Third Eviction Case

Now, the Kims are at 16 months without paying rent (16x$4,400=$70,400). Following the second eviction case, they continue to not pay rent. The homeowners are forced to file a third eviction case in January 2024. Meanwhile, the Kims file two anti-harassment cases and a contempt case against the homeowners.

Housing Justice Project Pays Again

The third eviction case continues until March 2024 when the Housing Justice Project, once again, pays the Kims’ rent for them through April 2024 (now “in excess of $88,000”). Meanwhile, the homeowners are paying their own legal expenses this entire time.

Fourth Eviction Case

The Kims, once again, fail to pay rent in May 2024 and the fourth eviction case is filed. At this point, the Kims have lived in the $2 million home for 22 months without paying rent (22x$4,400=$96,800). The homeowners increase rent to $4,900.

The Kims Vacate

Finally, the fourth case is dismissed — 9 months after being filed — on February 10, 2025, when the Kims vacate the Bellevue property 30 months after moving in. (22x$4,400 + 8x$4,900=$136,000).

Can anyone deny that the eviction system is seriously broken in King County?

Caitlyn (Axe) McKenney is a research fellow and program coordinator for Discovery Institute’s Center on Wealth & Poverty. Her work has centered on government fiscal accountability, political rhetoric, and addiction with a focus on human dignity ethics. The Discovery Institute is a public policy think tank advancing a culture of purpose, creativity, and innovation. Learn more at discovery.org.