With the shaky economy and the challenging housing market, more people are renting these days.
At the same time, many people are struggling just to pay their rent. In these difficult times, it's important for renters to know their rights - and responsibilities - to keep their situations stable. Joanna Plichta Boisen and Kerry Robinson stop by New Day to help us understand these complex issues.
COMMUNITY AND LEGAL RESOURCES FOR TENANTS
Housing Justice Project
Volunteer attorneys give advice, negotiate, and provide limited representation to low income tenants in King County facing eviction.
Website:
Appointment:
HJP - Kent
401 4th Avenue North, Kent
Mon- Fri: 8:00 - 10:30 a.m.
HJP – Seattle
King County Courthouse, Room West-314
516 3rd Avenue, Seattle
Mon-Fri.: 8:00- 10:30 a.m.
HJP P.M.
King County Courthouse, Room W314
M and Th 4-6 p.m
Washington Law Help
This site provides self-help legal information for renters, including detailed packets on repairs, deposits, small claims court and the eviction process.
Website:
(an online resource; no phone)
Solid Ground’s Renter Resources
Use the Solid Ground Tenant Services Hotline and this website as resources to learn about your rights. Some landlords will take advantage of tenants who aren’t fully informed about their legal protections.
Website:
Hotline:
Tenant Services Hotline at 206.694.6767
Tenant’s Union of WA State
The mission of the Tenants Union is to create housing justice through grassroots education, organizing and advocacy.
Website:
Hotline:
Available Mon.-Wed. from 11am - 1pm. Call 206-723-0500
Appointment:
Walk-in services available Mon.- Wed. from 2pm -4pm at 5425B Rainier Ave S.
Community Information Line
Clearinghouse for all community resources, including rental assistance and low-income housing.
206.461.3200,
1.800.621.4636 (2.1.1 from a landline)
or 206.461.3610 for TTY/hearing impaired calls.
City of Seattle Department of Planning & Development
Code Enforcement Inspectors respond to tenant complaints regarding housing conditions & permits.
Call:
206.615.0808
King County Dispute Resolution Center
Trained mediators can assist tenants and landlord in resolving conflicts.
Call:
206.443.9603
Attorney General Mobile Home Dispute Resolution
Assistance for owners of mobile homes and manufactured housing to resolve disputes with landlords.
Call:
866.924.6458
Washington State Human Rights Commission
Enforces the law against discrimination and investigates complaints regarding civil rights violations.
Call:
800.233.3247
Seattle Office for Civil Rights
Enforces civil rights protections and investigates discrimination complaints for Seattle residents.
Call:
206.684.4500
King County Office of Civil Rights
Fair Housing enforcement and information for tenants in unincorporated King County.
Call:
206.296.7592
Fair Housing Center of Washington
Provides support and education for renters filing discrimination complaints or requesting reasonable accommodations from their landlords.
Call:
888.766.8800
King County Tax Assessor Parcel Viewer
Find a mailing address for your landlord by looking up the property in the Tax Assessor database.
Call:
206.296.3850
CLEAR Line Legal Help
Northwest Justice Project's free legal help and assistance for low-income Washington State residents. Open Mon–Fri, 9:15 am–12:15
Call:
888.201.1014
Legal Action Center
Catholic Community Services/Housing Services' legal advice and assistance for low-income renters facing eviction, repair problems, deposit loss, subsidy termination, lockouts and other issues.
Call:
206.324.6890
Neighborhood Legal Clinics
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.
Call:
206.267.7070
Northwest Justice Project
Legal help for tenants in public housing or with Section 8 vouchers facing subsidy termination or eviction.
Call:
206.464.1519
Lawyer Referral Service
King County Bar Association attorneys for hire at regular rates.
Call:
206.267.7010
Legal Voice
Empowers women with knowledge about their legal rights and tools to help them navigate the legal system.
Call:
206.621.7691
Resources from WashingontonLawHelp.org/Housing
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Contact your landlord as soon as you realize you may not be able to pay your rent. Clear communication is essential. Let your landlord know that while you may not be able to pay on time, you are looking for help. Ask if he or she will accept partial payments until the rent is paid in full — and write out a payment plan that you can afford.
Where to Turn
Start by calling the Community Information Line (CIL) at 206.461.3200, 1.800.621.4636 (2.1.1 from a landline) or 206.461.3610 for TTY/hearing impaired calls. You’ll be asked to explain your situation and give your address and zip code for referrals to agencies serving the area where you live. CIL staff will tell you about agencies that can help with rental and move-in costs. They can also refer you to other resources such as financial education classes.
Next Steps
Do not wait to call once the Community Information Line gives you referrals. You may need to call a number more than once – or call back at a specific date and time – to get an answer.
Be clear about what help you need when calling agencies for assistance. Explain what happened that put you at risk of losing your housing. For example: “I lost my job last month, but I’m starting a new job in a week. I need help with this month’s rent.” Most rental assistance programs will expect you to have income to pay rent. If you do not, the CIL will help you find resources to assist you. If you have children, ask for the number of the closest DSHS office.
Be prepared if you are given an appointment with an agency to apply for rental assistance. Bring paperwork documenting what you owe, income verification, your lease and your landlord’s contact information. Some programs will have you create a budget or set goals to help you stabilize your housing. Try to stay calm and patient. The process can be frustrating. Be organized and politely persistent to find the help you need.
Code Enforcement
Contact your landlord as soon as you realize you may not be able to pay your rent. Clear communication is essential. Let your landlord know that while you may not be able to pay on time, you are looking for help. Ask if he or she will accept partial payments until the rent is paid in full — and write out a payment plan that you can afford.
Where to Turn
Start by calling the Community Information Line (CIL) at 206.461.3200, 1.800.621.4636 (2.1.1 from a landline) or 206.461.3610 for TTY/hearing impaired calls. You’ll be asked to explain your situation and give your address and zip code for referrals to agencies serving the area where you live. CIL staff will tell you about agencies that can help with rental and move-in costs. They can also refer you to other resources such as financial education classes.
Next Steps
Do not wait to call once the Community Information Line gives you referrals. You may need to call a number more than once – or call back at a specific date and time – to get an answer.
Be clear about what help you need when calling agencies for assistance. Explain what happened that put you at risk of losing your housing. For example: “I lost my job last month, but I’m starting a new job in a week. I need help with this month’s rent.” Most rental assistance programs will expect you to have income to pay rent. If you do not, the CIL will help you find resources to assist you. If you have children, ask for the number of the closest DSHS office.
Be prepared if you are given an appointment with an agency to apply for rental assistance. Bring paperwork documenting what you owe, income verification, your lease and your landlord’s contact information. Some programs will have you create a budget or set goals to help you stabilize your housing. Try to stay calm and patient. The process can be frustrating. Be organized and politely persistent to find the help you need.
Code Enforcement
Many cities have code enforcement offices that will send inspectors to take a look at any rental housing code violations. Availability and responsiveness vary from city to city and not all municipalities do inspections. Some inspectors will follow up directly with a landlord to ensure that housing codes are being met and permits up-to-date. Typically Code Enforcement will want you to first go through the initial repair process of notifying the landlord in writing of the need for a repair and to wait the appropriate timeframe.
Be aware that if your unit lacks water or electricity, it could be condemned by the city. Call Code Enforcement to describe your situation and ask them what actions they are likely to take so that you can balance the decision to file a complaint.
Some municipalities will be able to impose fines on the landlord, or otherwise penalize code violations. If the city provides inspections be sure to ask for a copy of their report as this documentation can be very helpful.
The Seattle Department of Planning & Development (DPD) can be reached at 206.615.0808. Search for your city code enforcement office online or call City Hall and ask for the office that enforces building codes. They are otherwise known as the Planning, Community Development, or Building Code Enforcement departments.
Dispute Resolution
Mediation and dispute resolution are invaluable tools to assist renters in solving problems with landlords. Since there is no enforcement for landlord-tenant laws in Washington State, negotiation with landlords is one of the best ways to solve problems and assert your rights.
Every county in Washington offers free dispute resolution and mediation services. For more information and a detailed list of organizations, go to Resolution Washington or the Washington Courts Dispute Resolution Centers listings.
