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General Info (22)
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Your Rights as a Tenant in Washington State
This information helps residential tenants and landlords in Washington understand their rights and responsibilities. #6300EN Read More
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- Spanish / Español
- Russian / Pусский
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Bellingham Tenants Have More Rights under New City Law
Under new Bellingham city laws, a landlord must give you 60 days' notice of a large rent increase and 60 days for a no-cause notice to vacate. #6326EN Read More
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Can the Landlord Do That?
General information about what a landlord legally can and cannot do to a tenant. #6306EN Read More
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2019 Changes to Washington’s Landlord/Tenant and Eviction Laws
This is a summary of the laws affecting tenants, landlords and the eviction process. The laws changed in a major way in 2019. The changes go into effect on July 28, 2019. #6350EN Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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How do I Sue in Small Claims Court?
In Small Claims Court, a person may sue for up to $5,000. This court is meant to be a relatively quick, inexpensive way to resolve disputes that you have been unable to settle. The Small Claims Court is not complicated. Lawyers generally cannot participate and there are no juries, motions or objections. There is only a small charge for filing the lawsuit. A trial may be obtained much sooner than in other courts, and most trials are short, lasting about 20 minutes. #9940EN Read More
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- Spanish / Español
- Somali / Soomaali
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I am a Tenant Living in a Foreclosed Property. What are My Rights?
If you rent your home, and your home was sold at a foreclosure sale, the new owner must give you 60 days’ written notice to vacate before evicting you. You must still honor the obligations of your lease or rental agreement during this 60-day time period. #6122EN Read More
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Information for Tenants
Solid Ground’s housing counseling services for tenants help families and individuals maintain permanent and reliable rental housing. Our services provide tenants with the resources and tools they need to prevent eviction and ensure housing stability. While we do not have attorneys on staff and cannot provide legal advice, we can help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a renter. Read More
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I’ve Moved Out. My Former Landlord Says I Owe Damages.
It is important to dispute damages you are not responsible for in writing. Sample letters to the landlord are included for you to use. #6372EN Read More
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Know Your Rights: Rent-to-Own in Washington State
This will help you understand rent-to-own (RTO) home purchase agreements and the dangers in them. #6390EN Read More
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- Spanish / Español
- Farsi / فارسی
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Landlord/Tenant Issues For Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and/or Stalking
You should read this if you are a tenant AND a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking. You have protections under the state Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RLTA). The RLTA is in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 59.18). #6304EN Read More
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Leasing an Apartment - Helpful Resources for Landlords and Tenants
Documents include, Basics of Landlord-Tenant Laws for Seattleites, Guide to Damages and Normal Wear and Tear, Model Lease Move in/out Inspection Checklist, Security Deposit Timeline and Tenant Request for Repair Read More
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My Landlord Locked Me Out: What Can I Do?
Read this if you rent an apartment or house and your landlord changed the locks so that you cannot get into your place and you had no plans to move. #6316EN Read More
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Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications: A Guide for Residents with Disabilities
The Fair Housing Partners wrote this guidebook to help rental applicants and residents, and members of condominiums and homeowner associations understand the reasonable accommodation and modification process. 8408EN Content Detail
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Seattle’s Source of Income Protection Ordinance
This ordinance prohibits discrimination against renters who use subsidies or alternative sources of income, such as Social Security or child support to pay for their housing costs. Read FAQs about the ordinance. Read More
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Signing a Lease: What Are These Fees?
A description of common fees you may have to pay when signing a rental lease. Read More
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Tacoma Rental Housing Code Flyer
On November 20, 2018, the Tacoma City Council passed the Rental Housing Code providing protections for tenants and specific guidance to landlords who operate residential rental businesses in Tacoma. The Rental Housing Code also includes a provision for housing relocation assistance to qualifying tenants and allows the City to investigate complaints and enforce the code. Read More
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Tacoma Tenants Have More Rights under New Laws
If you are a tenant (you rent the place where you live) in Tacoma, Washington, new Tacoma laws give you certain rights. This explains the laws. Read More
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Tenants: New Legal Protection from Discrimination Based on Source of Income
A new state law effective September 30, 2018 makes it illegal for landlords in Washington state to discriminate against tenants and would-be tenants based on their source of income. #6323EN Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
- Russian / Pусский
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Tenants' Rights: Moving Out
Read this if you are a tenant thinking about moving out of your rental. Know your rights and responsibilities. #6371EN Read More
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- Spanish / Español
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Tenants' Rights: My Place has been Condemned
Read this if your landlord has been notified that your rental home will be condemned or will be unlawful to occupy. Publication #6384EN Read More
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- Spanish / Español
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The Warranty of Habitability: When You Rent a Place that is not Safe to Live In
The warranty of habitability is a legal concept. It holds that in renting a place to you, the landlord makes an unspoken promise (warranty) that it is safe to live in. If it turns out not to be, the landlord has violated (broken) the warranty. #6340EN Read More
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Video - Can I Break My Rental Agreement?
This video explains different types of rental agreements and the responsibilities of a tenant who wants to move. Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
After a Death Occurs (1)
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When a Tenant Who Lives Alone Dies
Read this if you rent your house, manufactured home, or apartment (dwelling unit) from a landlord and are the sole occupant of the dwelling unit OR someone has designated you to take care of their things in their rental unit after they die. Read More
Buyer information (1)
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Know Your Rights: Rent-to-Own in Washington State
This will help you understand rent-to-own (RTO) home purchase agreements and the dangers in them. #6390EN Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
- Farsi / فارسی
City Laws (7)
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Bellingham Tenants Have More Rights under New City Law
Under new Bellingham city laws, a landlord must give you 60 days' notice of a large rent increase and 60 days for a no-cause notice to vacate. #6326EN Read More
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City of Vancouver Month-to-Month Tenants: New Right to 60-Day Notice to Vacate
A new city ordinance (law) gives you the right to more notice from the landlord if s/he wants to end your tenancy and have you move. Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC) 8.47. Read More
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City of Vancouver Tenants: New Protection against Being Turned Down for a Rental Unit
Under a new Vancouver city ordinance (law) Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC) 8.45, a landlord may not refuse to rent to you based on the source of your income. #6322EN Read More
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City of Vancouver Tenants: New Right to 45-Day Notice of Your Rent Going Up
If you are a tenant (you rent your dwelling unit) in the City of Vancouver, Washington, a new city ordinance (law) gives you the right to more notice from the landlord if s/he decides to raise your rent by ten percent (10%) or more. #6320EN Read More
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Seattle’s Source of Income Protection Ordinance
This ordinance prohibits discrimination against renters who use subsidies or alternative sources of income, such as Social Security or child support to pay for their housing costs. Read FAQs about the ordinance. Read More
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Tacoma Rental Housing Code Flyer
On November 20, 2018, the Tacoma City Council passed the Rental Housing Code providing protections for tenants and specific guidance to landlords who operate residential rental businesses in Tacoma. The Rental Housing Code also includes a provision for housing relocation assistance to qualifying tenants and allows the City to investigate complaints and enforce the code. Read More
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Tacoma Tenants Have More Rights under New Laws
If you are a tenant (you rent the place where you live) in Tacoma, Washington, new Tacoma laws give you certain rights. This explains the laws. Read More
Eviction (1)
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2019 Changes to Washington’s Landlord/Tenant and Eviction Laws
This is a summary of the laws affecting tenants, landlords and the eviction process. The laws changed in a major way in 2019. The changes go into effect on July 28, 2019. #6350EN Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
Finding affordable housing and housing assistance (1)
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Search for Commission Financed Properties
The following pages of multifamily rental properties received Tax Credit and/or Tax-Exempt Bond financing from the Commission and are monitored by the Compliance and Preservation Division. If you would like to find out more about properties that are still being built, rehabilitated, or that are just renting up, please see Tax Credit Lists or the Capital Projects Multifamily Housing Lists. Read More
Repairs (3)
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Tenant Services: Repairs
State law outlines landlords' obligations to keep your unit safe and livable. Landlords must also maintain their units to comply with all local codes that govern housing quality. Read More
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Tenants: If You Need Repairs
This publication provides information on a landlord's responsibility to make repairs and what you can do to enforce your right to live in a safe home. Publication #6330EN Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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The Warranty of Habitability: When You Rent a Place that is not Safe to Live In
The warranty of habitability is a legal concept. It holds that in renting a place to you, the landlord makes an unspoken promise (warranty) that it is safe to live in. If it turns out not to be, the landlord has violated (broken) the warranty. #6340EN Read More
Section 8 vouchers (1)
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Protecting Your Section 8 Voucher
A detailed explanation of your responsibilities under the Section 8 Voucher program, and what rights you have if the Housing Authority (HA) tries to cut off your voucher. Publication #6113EN Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
Security deposits (4)
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Getting Your Security Deposit Back
Advice and instructions on how to get your security deposit back from your landlord. Learn the difference between damages the landlord can charge you for versus normal wear and tear. Includes forms you can use. #6370EN Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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I’ve Moved Out. My Former Landlord Says I Owe Damages.
It is important to dispute damages you are not responsible for in writing. Sample letters to the landlord are included for you to use. #6372EN Read More
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Letter to Landlord for Return of a Security Deposit
Do-it-yourself forms and instructions on LawHelp Interactive. Use this program if you did not get or only partially got a refund of your rental security deposit from a previous landlord and wish to send a demand letter requesting that it be returned to you. Read More
Tenant Screening (5)
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How to Stop a Landlord from Denying your Housing Application Because of an Eviction
Many landlords automatically deny rental applications from anyone with any kind of “eviction record.” Starting June 9, 2016, a new law may allow you to get an order from the eviction court stopping tenant screening companies from using your eviction record when you apply for housing. This is called an Order of Limited Dissemination. #6303EN Read More
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Seattle’s Source of Income Protection Ordinance
This ordinance prohibits discrimination against renters who use subsidies or alternative sources of income, such as Social Security or child support to pay for their housing costs. Read FAQs about the ordinance. Read More
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Tenant Screening: Your Rights
6302EN - Read this publication if you are looking for an apartment or house to rent. This publication explains a state law regarding tenant screening. Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Tenants: New Legal Protection from Discrimination Based on Source of Income
A new state law effective September 30, 2018 makes it illegal for landlords in Washington state to discriminate against tenants and would-be tenants based on their source of income. #6323EN Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
- Russian / Pусский
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Video - A Quick Look at Tenant Screening in Washington State
This video is a quick overview of the screening process and what it means for rental applicants in Washington. Read More
Videos (3)
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Video - A Quick Look at Tenant Screening in Washington State
This video is a quick overview of the screening process and what it means for rental applicants in Washington. Read More
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Video - Can I Break My Rental Agreement?
This video explains different types of rental agreements and the responsibilities of a tenant who wants to move. Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Video - Tenants, Landlords & the Laws of Washington State
This information helps residential tenants and landlords in Washington understand their rights and responsibilities. Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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