Legal Assistance for Tenants

Legal assistance is extraordinarily valuable for tenants but must be utilized in specific ways. There are five primary ways to make legal assistance work for you in resolving landlord-tenant matters. Many of these resources are free or low cost to renters seeking assistance. Contact each program individually to find out about their eligibility requirements. Renters, if you receive an Eviction Summons and Complaint you should call the statewide Eviction Defense Screening line at 1-855-657-8387 or apply online at nwjustice.org/apply-online to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer in an eviction case. read more on RIGHT TO COUNSEL information page

1) Get legal assistance to understand and interpret Landlord-Tenant Laws

Washington LawHelp provides detailed information on laws governing tenancy in Washington State. You can also call CLEAR, Northwest Justice Project’s free legal help and assistance for low-income Washington State residents. CLEAR is open Mon–Fri, 9:15 am–12:15 pm. at Tues 3:30-6:15 pm at 888-201-1014.

2) Use it to strengthen your negotiations with your landlord.

Though tenants can do all their negotiations with their landlords themselves, some landlords may be responsive to the authority of an attorney. You may also be able to get assistance writing letters and citing the laws in communications with your landlord. Your local Bar Association (may be able to help you write a letter asserting your rights.

3) Obtain assistance or representation in eviction court or a subsidy termination grievance hearing.

You may be able to talk to an attorney to help you understand or respond to an eviction notice or subsidy termination. If you are a low-income tenant you may qualify for representation from an attorney in court. You can call CLEAR Line Legal Help at 888.201.1014 from anywhere in the state. CLEAR is the Northwest Justice Project’s free legal help and assistance for low-income Washington State residents, and they are open Mon–Fri, 9:15 am–12:15 pm and Tues 3:30-6:15 pm.

4) Use it to help you prepare for a Small Claims suit against your landlord.

Small Claims Court is the primary way that tenants can recover money owed to them by their landlord. There are no attorneys allowed in small claims court but if you qualify for free legal advice you can contact the CLEAR hotline. If you are a moderate-means tenant in Washington, please refer to Clients of The Moderate Means Program to seek more affordable legal advice or representation as needed.

5) File a civil lawsuit against your landlord.

In rare cases, tenants may be able to obtain legal representation to sue their landlords. You will have to hire a private attorney to pursue this option, which may not be affordable to many renters. You may be able to find an attorney for hire through your local Bar Association or from other sources. Here is an example of a lawsuit started by tenants seeking compensation for Yardi, 18 managers hit with antitrust lawsuit | Multifamily Dive

If you are a moderate-means tenant in Washington, please refer to Clients of The Moderate Means Program to seek more affordable legal advice or representation as needed.