Other LanguagesThe Attorney General’s Office does not handle complaints about issues relating to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Here is a list of resources that may assist you with residential landlord/tenant issues:
Help for Tenants:
-
Self Help
- Northwest Justice Project's "Your Rights as a Tenant in Washington"
-
Lawyer Referral
- The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) offers research tools to locate private attorneys in your area by offering listings for each County Bar Association. You may access the County Bar Association listing on the WSBA website https://www.wsba.org/connect-serve/other-bars/county-bar-associations, the Washington State Bar Association, or your county bar association and ask about its lawyer referral program.
- Treasury Rent Assistance Program
- The Washington State Department of Commerce’s rent assistance program, funded with state and federal dollars, may prevent evictions by paying past due, current and future rent for people impacted by the pandemic. Visit the Washington State Department of Commerce website for more information.
- Statewide Legal Services for Tenants
- Northwest Justice Project (NJP) Coordinated Legal Education Advice and Referral Service (CLEAR) provides information, advice & referral for low-income people and seniors
Dial "211" in King County
1-888-201-1014 outside of King County
1-888-387-7111 for Seniors (age 60 and over)
Mondays-Fridays 9:15 AM-12:15 PM -
Washington Law Help has self-help packets for tenants
-
Solid Ground Tenant Counseling & Education
Tenant Services Line
10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Wednesday
(206) 694-6767
- Northwest Justice Project (NJP) Coordinated Legal Education Advice and Referral Service (CLEAR) provides information, advice & referral for low-income people and seniors
Some of the following resources are specific to King County. For resources in your area, contact the Washington State 2-1-1 at 2-1-1 from a landline, 206-461-3200 or 800-621-4636 or 206-461-3610 for TTY/hearing impaired calls.
- Washington LawHelp:
- (online only) — Provides self-help legal information for renters, including detailed packets on repairs, deposits, small claims court and the eviction process.
- CLEAR Line Legal Help:
- 888-201-1014 — Northwest Justice Project’s free legal help and assistance for low-income Washington State residents. Open Mon–Fri, 9:15 am–12:15 pm.
- Low-income
- Residents outside of King County
- Phone interpreter services in all languages, less frequently requested languages will require wait times
- 888-201-1014 — Northwest Justice Project’s free legal help and assistance for low-income Washington State residents. Open Mon–Fri, 9:15 am–12:15 pm.
- Housing Justice Project:
- 206-267-7090 — King County Bar Association’s walk-in legal information and assistance. Priority service for renters facing evictions. Open Mon–Fri, 8–10:30 am, in the King County Courthouse in Seattle and Kent Regional Justice Center. Seattle location also open Mon, 3:45-4:45 pm.
- Low-income
- King County residents
- Residential tenants only – no business tenants or homeowners
- Languages: English, Spanish
- They will first request that the court provide an interpreter
- If that is not an option, phone and Skype interpreter services for all other languages, less frequently requested languages will have to schedule an appointment
- 206-464-1519 — Legal help for tenants in public housing or with Section 8 vouchers facing subsidy termination or eviction.
- Low-income
- Residents statewide
- Phone interpreters in any language
- If they take the case, they get interpreters to attend all appointments in person
- 206-267-7090 — King County Bar Association’s walk-in legal information and assistance. Priority service for renters facing evictions. Open Mon–Fri, 8–10:30 am, in the King County Courthouse in Seattle and Kent Regional Justice Center. Seattle location also open Mon, 3:45-4:45 pm.
- Tacomaprobono Housing Justice Project (HJP):
- 253-572-5134, or vls@tacomaprobono.org — A Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association program that offers legal advice and potentially representation for landlord-tenant issues, including evictions. HJP attorneys are available Mon-Thu afternoons in the Pierce County Courthouse Law Library. No appointment is necessary if you have an unlawful detainer hearing scheduled Mon-Thu.
- Low-income
- Case needs to be in Pierce County, but do not need to be a Pierce County resident
- Additional online information and resources are available at: www.tacomaprobono.org/hjp.
- 253-572-5134, or vls@tacomaprobono.org — A Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association program that offers legal advice and potentially representation for landlord-tenant issues, including evictions. HJP attorneys are available Mon-Thu afternoons in the Pierce County Courthouse Law Library. No appointment is necessary if you have an unlawful detainer hearing scheduled Mon-Thu.
- Tenant Law Center:
- 206-324-6890 — A part of Catholic Community Services, Tenant Law Center offers legal advice and assistance for low-income Seattle renters facing eviction, repair problems, deposit loss, subsidy termination, lockouts and other issues.
- Low-income
- King County residents only
- Phone interpreters in any language via Language Line and Catholic Community Services
- 206-324-6890 — A part of Catholic Community Services, Tenant Law Center offers legal advice and assistance for low-income Seattle renters facing eviction, repair problems, deposit loss, subsidy termination, lockouts and other issues.
- Tenants Union of WA State - Tenant Counseling & Education
- Statewide Tenants Rights Hotline: 206-723-0500
- Mon-Wed: 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1:30-4:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
- Tenant Counseling Walk-in Clinics (Please bring any paperwork and/or notices you’ve received regarding your housing issue.)
- To confirm current clinic locations and hours please visit Tenant Union's website.
- Airway Heights
- Twice monthly - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month 1:30 – 3:30pm
- Airway Heights Recreation Center: 13120 W. 13th Ave, Airway Heights, WA 99001
- Burien
- Twice monthly - 1st and last Wednesday of the month, 4:00 – 6:00pm
- Burien Community Center: 14700 6th Ave SW, Burien, Washington 98166
- Seattle/Columbia City
- Weekly - Monday and Tuesday, 1:30 – 4:00pm Tenants Union of WA office: 5425 Rainier Ave S Ste B, Seattle WA 98118
- Seattle/Lake City
- Weekly - Thursdays, 4:00 – 6:00pm
- North Helpline Food Bank: 12736 33rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
- Spokane
- Weekly - Tuesdays 1:30 – 3:30pm
- American Indian Community Center: 610 E. North Foothills Drive, Spokane, WA 99207
- Spokane
- Twice monthly - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month 1:30 – 3:30pm
- Spokane Valley Partners: 10814 E. Broadway Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99206
- Spokane
- Weekly - Thursdays 10:30am – 12:30pm
- Catholic Charities HFCA: 19 W. Pacific, Spokane, WA 99201
- Airway Heights
- To confirm current clinic locations and hours please visit Tenant Union's website.
- Statewide Tenants Rights Hotline: 206-723-0500
- Neighborhood Legal Clinics:
- 206-267-7070 — King County Bar Association’s legal clinics located across King County, NLC attorneys can provide a free half hour of legal advice to renters, regardless of income.
- No income restrictions
- King County residents
- Phone interpreter services in all languages, less frequently requested languages will require wait times or an appointment
- 206-267-7070 — King County Bar Association’s legal clinics located across King County, NLC attorneys can provide a free half hour of legal advice to renters, regardless of income.
- Moderate Means Program:
- The Moderate Means Program is a partnership between the Washington State Bar Association and Washington’s 3 law schools. MMP connects people within 200–400% of the Federal Poverty Level to lawyers who offer legal help at reduced fees.
- Income restrictions
- Residents statewide
- Call 1-855-741-6930 to learn more
- WSBA offers interpreter services through Language Line in almost all languages. An appointment may need to be set up if it is a less frequently requested language.
- The WSBA also has a legal directory via: https://www.mywsba.org/PersonifyEbusiness/LegalDirectory.aspx
- The Moderate Means Program is a partnership between the Washington State Bar Association and Washington’s 3 law schools. MMP connects people within 200–400% of the Federal Poverty Level to lawyers who offer legal help at reduced fees.
Select the language you prefer under “Languages other than English,” click the search button, and a list of attorneys that speak that language and their location will appear.
- CLEAR*Senior Legal Help:
- 888-387-7111 — Northwest Justice Project’s free legal help and assistance for persons over 60 years of age of all income levels. Seniors can call the CLEARSenior Line starting at 9:15 am and leave a message. The line will close for the day once the voicemail message system is full.
- No income restrictions
- Residents statewide
- Phone interpreter services in all languages, less frequently requested languages will require wait times or an appointment
- 888-387-7111 — Northwest Justice Project’s free legal help and assistance for persons over 60 years of age of all income levels. Seniors can call the CLEARSenior Line starting at 9:15 am and leave a message. The line will close for the day once the voicemail message system is full.
- Lawyer Referral Service:
- 206-267-7010 — King County Bar Association attorneys for hire at regular rates.
- No income restrictions
- King County residents
- Phone interpreter services in all languages, less frequently requested languages will require wait times or an appointment
- 206-267-7010 — King County Bar Association attorneys for hire at regular rates.
- Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired callers can call CLEAR or 2-1-1 (or toll-free 1-877-211-9274) using the relay service of their choice.
-
Complaints and Inquiries about Housing Codes:
-
Call your local city or county zoning or building departments
-
-
Low Income Housing:
-
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
909 First Avenue, Suite 190
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 220-5205
Website
-
-
Senior Housing Issues:
-
Housing Discrimination:
-
Washington State Human Rights Commission
1511 Third Ave.
Suite 921
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 464-6500
Toll-free: 1-800-233-3247
Website - Also, contact your city or county Human Rights or Civil Rights agency.\
-
Additional Resources:
- City of Seattle, Dept. of Planning and Development: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd
- King County Law Library: http://www.kcll.org
- Legal Assistance Links: https://www.kcba.org/?pg=Free-Legal-Assistance
- Tenant Law Center: http://ccsww.org/get-help/specialized-services/tenant-law-center/
- Northwest Justice Project: http://www.nwjustice.org
- Solid Ground (formerly Fremont Public Association): http://www.solid-ground.org
- Tenants Union: http://www.tenantsunion.org/
- Washington Law Help: http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org
- University of Washington, Student Legal Services: https://depts.washington.edu/slsuw/
- Washington State University, Student Legal Services: https://sls.wsu.edu/home/
- Hopelink’s eviction prevention program: When a family is in danger of losing its home in a crisis, Hopelink offers a program that can help to provide a portion of the funds needed to prevent eviction. Preventing homelessness costs at least five times less than helping a family regain stable housing after it is lost. Please contact the closest Hopelink emergency service center to find out more about this service and how Hopelink may be able to assist. Contact your nearest Hopelink emergency service center.
- A Regional Coalition for Housing: https://www.archhousing.org/
Resources for Rental Housing Landlords :
The Rental Housing Association of Washington (RHAWA) provides lease documents, advocacy and education services for roughly 5,000 rental housing provider members – ranging from single family homes to multifamily communities. RHAWA offers services to members only. For more information, visit RHAwa.org.
Information about Small Claims Court:
To recover money for an amount up to $5,000.
A number of local agencies offer landlord-tenant information.
King County:
King County Bar Association Housing Justice Project
(206) 267-7090
Website
The Tenants Union
(206) 723-0500
www.tenantsunion.org
Seattle Office of Housing
(206) 684-2489
https://www.seattle.gov/housing
Catholic Community Services, Legal Action Center
Website
(206) 324-6890
Pierce County:
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
Volunteer Legal Service Program
Tacoma-Pierce County Housing Justice Project
Website
Skagit County:
Skagit Community Action Agency
(888) 201-1014 (CLEAR) to determine eligibility
(360) 416-7585 for questions
Website
Email: VLP@communityactionskagit.org
City of Tacoma:
Landlord-Tenant Services
747 Market Street
Room 108
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 591-5000
website
Whatcom County:
Whatcom County Opportunity Council
(360) 734-5121 From Bellingham
(360) 384-1470 County-Wide
www.oppco.org
LAW Advocates
(888) 201-1014 To determine eligibility
(360) 671-6079 for appointments
Telephone only, no walk-ins
www.lawadvocates.org
Yakima:
Office of Neighborhood Development Services
(509) 575-6101
www.yakimawa.gov/services/neighborhood-development-services
There are a number of local organizations that offer dispute resolution services:
Adams County
- Columbia Basin Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 760-0706
- Website
Asotin County
- Neutral Ground Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 730-1317
- Website
Benton County
- Dispute Resolution Center of Tri-Cities
- (509) 783-1043
- Website
Chelan County:
- Wenatchee Valley Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 888-0957
- Website
Clallum County:
- Peninsula DRC
- (360) 452-8024
- Website
Clark County:
- Community Mediation Services
- (360) 334-5862
- Website
Columbia County
- Neutral Ground Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 730-1317
- Website
Cowlitz County
- Center for Constructive Resolution and Conversation
- (360) 232-8622
- Website
Douglas County
- Wenatchee Valley Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 888-0957
- Website
Ferry County:
- Northwest Mediation Center
- (509) 456-0103
- Website
Franklin County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Tri-Cities
- (509) 783-1043
- Website
Garfield County:
- Neutral Ground Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 730-1317
- Website
Grant County:
- Columbia Basin Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 760-0706
- Website
Grays Harbor County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties
- (360) 532-8950
- Website
Island County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Snohomish, Island and Skagit Counties
- 1-800-280-4770
- Website
Jefferson County:
- Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center
- (360) 452-8024
- Website
King County:
- King County Dispute Resolution Center
- (206) 443-9603 x 111
- Spanish: (206) 443-9603 ext. 103
- www.kcdrc.org
- Bellevue Neighborhood Mediation Program
- (425) 452-4090
- Website
Kitsap County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap County
- (360) 517-5800
- Website
Kittitas County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima & Kittitas Counties
- (509) 388-0366
- Website
Klickitat County:
- Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center
- (541) 386-1283 #2
Direct: (509) 606-6363
Toll Free: (888) 628-4101 - Website
Lewis County:
- Center for Constructive Resolution and Conversation
- (360) 623-8788
- Website
Lincoln County:
- Northwest Mediation Center
- (509) 456-0103
- Website
Mason County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County
- (360) 956-1155 ext. 113
- Website
Okanogan County:
- Okanogan County Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 826-1776
- Website
Pacific County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties
- (360) 532-8950
- Website
Pend Oreille
- Northwest Mediation Center
- (509) 456-0103
- Website
Pierce County:
- Center for Dialog & Resolution
- (253) 572-3657
Spanish: (253) 572-3657 ext. 123 - Website
San Juan County:
- VOA Disute Resolution County of Skagit County
- 425-339-1335 (press #3)
Toll Free: (800) 280-4770 (press #3) - Website
Skagit County:
- VOA Disute Resolution County of Skagit County
- 425-339-1335 (press #3)
Toll Free: (800) 280-4770 (press #3) - Website
Skamania County:
- Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center
- (541) 386-1283 #2
Direct: (509) 606-6363
Toll Free: (888) 628-4101 - Website
Snohomish County:
- VOA Dispute Resolution Center of Snohomish & Island Counties
- 425-339-1335 (press #3)
Toll Free: (800) 280-4770 (press #3) - Website
Spokane County:
Stevens County:
- Northwest Mediation Center
- (509) 456-0103
- Website
Thurston County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County
- (360) 956-1155 ext. 113
- Website
Wahkiakum County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties
- (360) 532-8950
- Website
Walla Walla County:
- Neutral Ground Dispute Resolution Center
- (509) 730-1317
- Website
Whatcom County:
- Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
- (360) 676-0122 x 122, extension 115
- housing@whatcomdrc.org
- Website
Whitman County:
- Fulcrum Institute DRC
- (509) 838-2799
- Website
Yakima County:
- Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima & Kittitas Counties
- (509) 388-0366
- Website
If you have questions about the resources listed on this page, contact our consumer resource center:
call centers are open M-F 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- 1-800-551-4636 (in-state only)
- 1-206-464-6684 (out-of-state callers)
- 1-800-833-6388 (Washington State Relay Service for the hearing impaired)