Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

The 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 Brochure
  •  Lawyer Referral
  • 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

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:
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: http://www.tacomaprobono.org/hjp.html.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.

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
  • 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
  • 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:

 

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 
http://www.seattle.gov/html/citizen/renting.htm

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 
Volunteer Lawyer Program for eligible low-income residents 
(888) 201-1014 (CLEAR) to determine eligibility 
(360) 416-7585 for questions 
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:

  • Fulcrum Institute DRC
  • (509) 838-2799
  • Website
  • Northwest Mediation Center 
  • (509) 456-0103
  • Website

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:

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)

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