Tenant Tip: Accessing legal services

Asserting your rights as a tenant often times may require the help of an attorney. Getting legal assistance can be costly, so we have listed legal services that are free of charge, as well as information on how to access these services. Before accessing legal assistance, tenants are encouraged to call Solid Ground’s Tenant Services Hotline first (206.694.6767 on Mon., Wed. & Fri. from 10:30am to 4:30pm) — or visit our Tenant Services website — in order to receive information about their rights as a tenant and attempt to resolve housing matters without the help of an attorney. For issues that may require consultation or the advice of an attorney, tenants who contact our hotline will be referred to legal assistance. Some of these services are listed below:

Neighborhood Legal Clinics—throughout King Co.
These clinics provide half an hour free with an attorney about any legal matter, not just housing issues. However, many attorneys at neighborhood clinics are well-versed in legal issues related to housing, as they receive a high number of tenants accessing their services. To find the nearest clinic location, go to their website.

Half an hour can go by very quickly when getting legal advice, so come prepared with the documents you would like reviewed and be prepared to describe your situation briefly, including the important details and questions you have for the attorneys. There are no income requirements, so any King County resident can access this service. Call 206.267.7070 to schedule an appointment with the closest clinic to you.

Legal Action Center
LAC provides information and legal advice to tenants facing housing issues such as deposit, repair issues, eviction, loss of Section 8 assistance, debt claims and other housing-related matters. This service is available to income-qualified Seattle residents only. You can reach Legal Action Center by calling 206.324.6890 to receive more information about income requirements and appointment availability.

Housing Justice Project
This is a free legal service for tenants facing eviction and other serious housing issues related to eviction. No appointment is required, as this is a walk-in service. Services are available at the King County Courthouse and the Kent Regional Justice Center, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 10:30am. If you need legal advice about an eviction issue or you have been served with a 3-day notice to pay or vacate as well as an Eviction Summons, you may access this service. Priority is given to tenants right before their scheduled eviction hearings, but tenants are also encouraged to access this service to get legal assistance with responding to the eviction papers and other related legal matters concerning eviction.

Seattle Location:
King County Courthouse
516 3rd Ave W
Seattle, WA 98104

The Seattle location offers additional appointments on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

Kent Location:
Regional Justice Center
401 4th Ave N
Kent, WA 98032

CLEAR—Northwest Justice Project
Provides free, non-criminal legal assistance to WA state residents over the phone — mainly for residents who do not reside in King County and are income-qualified. Call 1.888.201.1014, Monday through Friday, 9:15am to 12:15pm and Tuesday afternoons, 3:30pm to 6:15pm. More info on their website.

Other Legal Services:
Contact your local county bar association to receive information about other free legal services or low-cost attorneys who may be able to provide legal advice.

Washingtonlawhelp.org provides free legal information and self help materials.