Resource Page

Landlord Tenant Information

Attorney General Info Line
(206) 464-6684
Pierce County(253) 597-3832

Seattle Legal Action Center (CCS)
(206) 324-6890

Dispute Resolution Centers
Dispute Resolution Centers are operational in almost every part of the state and exist to provide low-cost and effective conflict resolution services to their respective communities through mediation, facilitation, training and community outreach. DRC's offer highly trained, competent mediators and facilitators at very low cost to any person or organization in need.

Solid Ground
For more than three decades, Solid Ground—formerly the Fremont Public Association—has helped our most vulnerable community members overcome economic crises and develop the skills and resources they need to thrive. 30 programs have helped hundreds of thousands of people break the cycle of poverty since 1974.

Taxes
T-ReX Global (The Real Estate eXchange Global) is a friendly, customer focused company obsessed with serving real estate investors. We engage real estate investors with the development of new innovative online services called T-saps (Tiny, Simple Applications). T-saps are dependable, intelligent, fun and easy to use applications that do a single task. Nothing more, nothing less. T-saps enable real estate investors to maximize their returns and save thousands of dollars.

Department of Planning and Development (DPD)
The Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) develops, administers, and enforces standards for land use, design, construction, and housing within the city limits. DPD is also responsible for long-range planning in Seattle.
King County Code Enforcement (206) 296-6680
Pierce COunty Department of Planning (253) 596-2765
Snohomish County Code Enforcement (425) 388-3650
Seattle Animal Control (206) 386-4254
King County Animal Control (206) 286-PETS
Health Department King County (360) 236-3090 (mold info)
-in Seattle (206) 296-4600
-in Snohomish (425) 339-5250
-in Pierce (253) 798-2954

OCHA Free Online Advertising for Seattle Landlords
OCHA is an office within the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW). The ASUW is a non-for-profit organization that caters primarily to the university community by providing services and resources, programs and events, and fosters student leadership and activism. OCHA was established in 1980 to help university members find nearby housing. They have since grown to be the trusted resource on campus when it comes to off-campus housing affairs.

An online resource is now available for Seattle landlords to advertise their housing rentals for free, exclusively to over 40,000 students, staff, and faculty members at the University of Washington.  Off-Campus Housing Affairs (OCHA) recently launched their new user-friendly website that provides landlords direct access to the university community. Their website features a database that functions as a rental listing service. Landlords simply register themselves, login, and post their rental listing for the entire university community to view online. On average the website receives about 200 hits per day in its off-season; this figure is anticipated to greatly increase once the 2008 spring pre-leasing season reaches its peak.

The website also features a “Housing Wanted” Wiki site that allows future tenants to post their desired living situation, and landlords to search for an appropriate match. There are many other resources available for tenants as well. OCHA’s primary goal is to educate and connect tenants with landlords to help facilitate the housing process for all parties involved. They also strive to alleviate the pressures of finding housing in a difficult real estate market.

University of Washington Mediation Clinic
Since 1991, the clinic has provided free and confidential mediation services. They mediate for the general public and staff, students and faculty at the University of Washington. Students serve as neutral third parties to help individuals involved in a dispute negotiate a voluntary settlement of their case or conflict.

Crisis Clinic
As a non-profit organization, Crisis Clinic offers an array of support services available to everyone in King County. Telephone services provide immediate, confidential assistance for people in emotional distress and in need of help.

Washington Law Help
Washington LawHelp is a guide to free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Washington.  This site provides legal education materials and tools that give you basic information on a number of legal problems, and in some cases, detailed instructions and forms to help you represent yourself in court.  You can also locate information on free legal aid programs in Washington, including basic eligibility and contact information.

City/County/State Codes

Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington
Find your city municipal and county codes with MRSC. The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) is a non-profit, independent organization created in 1969 to continue programs established in 1934 under the Bureau of Governmental Research at the University of Washington. In 1997, Washington counties joined cities in funding MRSC. Their mission is "working together for excellence in local government through professional consultation, research and information services."

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is the compilation of all permanent laws now in force. It is a collection of Session Laws (enacted by the Legislature, and signed by the Governor, or enacted via the initiative process), arranged by topic, with amendments added and repealed laws removed. It does not include temporary laws such as appropriations acts. The official version of the RCW is published by the  Statute Law Committee and the Code Reviser. RCW Landlord Tenant Law.

Fair Housing Contacts

Top 100 Fair Housing Questions
100 commonly asked fair housing questions compiled by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights.

US Department of Housing & Urban Development
HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.

Washington State Human Rights Commission
The Mission of the Washington State Human Rights Commission is to eliminate and prevent discrimination through the fair application of the law, the efficient use of resources, and the establishment of partnerships with the community.

King County Office of Civil Rights
OCR investigates and resolves complaints of discrimination, provides education, and offers other assistance in the following areas: Fair Housing, Fair Employment, Public Accommodations, and Fair Contracting Practices.

Seattle Office for Civil Rights
At the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, we envision a city where all people enjoy equal rights, equal opportunity and freedom from illegal discrimination. SOCR promotes racial and social justice for everyone in Seattle through education, policy work, and enforcement of civil rights laws.

Tacoma Human Rights & Human Services Department
The Tacoma Human Rights & Human Services Department is the administrative agency responsible for the enforcement and monitoring of anti-discrimination ordinances and resolutions. The department, through its Investigative section, implements programs geared to provide compliance with the City's policy of nondiscrimination and affirmative action.

Section 8 Contacts

King County Housing Authority
The King County Housing Authority administers Housing Choice vouchers – commonly called “Section 8,” after the section of the United States Housing Act of 1937 that authorizes them – and forms a partnership with participants and landlords to provide housing opportunities throughout suburban King County.
       For Landlords
                KCHA Section 8 Landlord Handbook

US Department of Housing & Urban Development
Section 8 are federally funded housing vouchers supplied to low income tenants in order to help them pay rent. Below are links to additional information about this program.
      Section 8 information
                For Landlords 
                For Tenants

Legal Representation

RHA Associate Member Attorneys

King County Bar Association
The King County Bar Association provides support to its diverse membership; promotes a just, collegial and accessible legal system and profession; works with the judiciary to achieve excellence in the administration of justice; strives to benefit the community through its own efforts and those of its Foundation; and offers opportunities for public service and input into matters of public policy.

Housing Justice Project
Part of the King County Bar Association, the Housing Justice Project provides free legal assistance for King County residents including: legal advice for tenants having problems with their landlords, help answering eviction paperwork, negotiation with landlords for eligible tenants facing eviction, representation of eligible tenants at eviction (show cause) hearings, as well as referral and resource information.

Northwest Justice Project
NJP’s mission is to secure justice in a democratic society by working for equal access to the legal system by empowering low-income persons and communities through education about their legal rights and obligations, and by promoting respect for human dignity through legal advocacy.

Washington State Courts

Washington Court System
Washington Courts website contains valuable information on court forms and rules; as well as a directory to find the proper court for your claim or questions.
For Small Claims call (206) 296-3550

Housing Networks

Accessible Apartments
NAAC maintains the ONLY national database of accessible apartments, with a registration of more than 80,000 units in 50 states. It's a vital resource for the disabled community and an excellent vehicle for apartment owners and managers to effectively market their accessible apartments and reach their target audience.

Automated Housing Referral Network
The Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN.com) is sponsored by the Department of Defense and is designed to improve the process of securing available housing for relocating military members and their families.

Pioneer Human Services
Pioneer Human Services operates over 525 units, of housing in both King and Pierce Counties. Offering housing in the cities of Seattle and Downtown Tacoma. Providing different styles of housing to support both families and individuals searching for a safe and affordable residence. Styles of housing include transitional and permanent residences, clean and sober communities and affordable apartments.

YMCA Transitions
The YMCA Transitions program is designed to assist moderate- to high-functioning young adults, ages 18 – 23 in King County who are or have been in foster care or out-of-home placement at some time during their adolescence and who need assistance in maintaining stable housing, developing independent living skills, educational support and career development. Various housing options are available depending on the needs of participants ranging from supported host homes to individual apartments, and all participants gain skills through workshops and program staff support.

Other Helfpul Links

Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Outlet
The rapidly increasing cost of land and construction in the Seattle area compelled their Habitat affiliate to seek new ways of funding their mission to help low-income families buy affordable housing.  Habitat affiliates around the U.S. operate more than 500 building materials retail stores.

To Get a Copy of a Consumer Credit Report:

TransUnion
1-800-888-4213

Equifax
1-800-685-1111

Experian
1-888-397-3742

Rental Market Information

Dupre+Scott Apartment Advisors
(206) 935-3458