Takes complaints and investigates situations that include: - Accumulation of junk and debris - Clearing or grading without permits - Construction without a permit - Dangerous or open-to-entry buildings - Illegally placed mobile homes or factory-assembled structures - Irresponsible or hazardous development - Livestock infractions - Open wells and other hazardous conditions - Operation of an illegal business - Storage of junk cars - Zoning code infractions Investigates possible code violations.    Operates a 24-hour telephone hotline for reports of serious violations of environmental laws during off hours. The hotline allows staff to react and halt damage.

Provides financial assistance to tenants who have been informed by their landlords of any housing cost increase totaling 10% or more within the same 12 month period and the tenant decides to move. The City will process tenant applications and advance payment of three times the current monthly housing cost to eligible households. All rental housing cost increases in Seattle require 180 days advance written notice. When an increase equals or exceeds 10% in a 12 month period, by a single increase or multiple increases, landlords must attach an EDRA notice that informs tenants about the program.

Offers housing counseling and education services in Spanish and English to: -  Homeowners interested in refinancing -  Homeowners at risk for foreclosure   - Renters at risk of eviction -  Community members seeking counseling in financial management, budget and credit related issues Reviews client's credit report, creates and develops a budget as well as an action plan to address their unique housing needs. Provides the resources that would best fit their situation.

Provides tenant education to tenants only on the rights and responsibilities of both tenant and landlord. Provides tenant resources, eviction prevention resources and legal aid resource information. This is done over the phone through the Voice Message Line (see times below) Offers Rent Smart webinars and workshops, as well as one-on-one conversations via the voice message line to address rental issues. Webinar and message line services are available in English and Spanish, and translation services are available for other languages.

Assistance is available to help reduce homelessness by preventing illegal and unnecessary evictions. Assistance is provided to vulnerable tenants by focusing on negotiated resolutions that preserve tenant housing, preserve subsidies, or allow for relocation to suitable housing without the stigma of eviction. Tenants may be scheduled for an appointment with an attorney, who can provide free legal assistance ranging from self-help information to ongoing representation through negotiation with the landlord or representation in court. This service does not provide rental assistance.

Provides legal education materials and tools that give basic information on a number of legal problems, and in some cases, detailed instructions and forms to help with self-representation. Provides information on free legal aid programs in Washington, including basic eligibility and contact information. Topics include family law, housing, domestic violence and anti-harassment, immigration, civil rights, consumer and debt, government benefits, health, youth law and education, employment/farm worker rights, Native American issues, and some criminal law issues, including record expungement and victim's rights.

Offers free legal assistance to tenants involved in eviction disputes. Attorneys will offer legal advice and referrals; attorneys may also be able to negotiate with the landlord or represent the tenant.

Offers free and confidential information, direct assistance and advocacy to individuals and families who speak Russian or Chinese languages and have limited English language skills. Helps people to navigate systems, find resources, learn about programs and connect to their community. Services include, but are not limited to the following: - Help with basic needs such as health care, food stamp, housing, financial security benefits, transportation, etc. - Sign up ESL and assistance in naturalization application - Assistance with children’s school issues - Signing up for social and recreational activities - Child care resources and school system – Informational and educational workshops All services provided are confidential.

Provides information and referral services for those living in mobile/manufactured homes.   Offers assistance and engages in political and legislative advocacy to manufactured/mobile home owners regarding issues with park owners and managers involving violations of RCW 59. 20 and RCW 59. 30, as well as issues regarding manufacturers/dealer and consumer issues.  

- Offers free legal assistance to low-income tenants involved in residential eviction court proceedings. Legal assistants interview tenants and attorneys review all relevant documents. - Attorneys will represent in court and to resolve filed eviction lawsuit; attorneys will also negotiate with the landlord and represent the tenant. - Attorneys are unable to assist with evictions from emergency shelters or residential care facilities (such as nursing homes). Attorneys may assist those being evicted from permanent, transitional, and manufactured (mobile home) housing. - Drop-in child care provided by the Children's Home Society at the Regional Justice Center for parents while they appear in court.

- Offers free legal assistance to low-income tenants involved in residential eviction court proceedings. Legal assistants interview tenants and attorneys review all relevant documents. - Attorneys will represent in court and to resolve filed eviction lawsuit; attorneys will also negotiate with the landlord and represent the tenant. - Attorneys are unable to assist with evictions from emergency shelters or residential care facilities (such as nursing homes). Attorneys may assist those being evicted from permanent, transitional, and manufactured (mobile home) housing. - Drop-in child care provided by the Children's Home Society at the Regional Justice Center for parents while they appear in court.

Provides legal information and advice for the following issues depending on attorney availability:   -  Auto accidents - Birth injuries -  Consumer law - Criminal defense -  Family law -  Finance -  Immigration -  Landlord-tenant law -  Medical negligence -  Personal injury -  Property law -  Worker's rights/wage claims

Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney at multiple locations across King County. As of 9/2024, most clinics are telephonic, but there may be limited in-person availability in Seattle and Kent. Details will be provided to clients during intake screening. Clinic attorneys can: - Determine whether the client has a legal problem - Suggest possible options - Help answer papers, summons and requests - Provide appropriate referrals Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Provides information on landlord-tenant laws and legal rights and options for tenants with immediate housing problems, including eviction. One-on-one counseling is available. Assists in organizing groups of tenants to bring about landlord compliance with the Landlord/Tenant Act and existing housing codes. Provides community education on tenant issues, advocates for tenants' rights and offers referrals for rent assistance. Does not provide legal counsel, but does provide referrals to appropriate counsel.

Chinese Information and Service Center, Asian Bar Association of Washington, and Asian Counseling and Referral Service partner with the King County Bar Association to provide a free legal clinic. Pro bono attorneys work with staff and volunteer interpreters to give consultation and legal advice around family law, immigration law, landlord-tenant disputes, employment law, and other areas. As of 9/2024, most consults are virtual but in-person appointments may be available if needed (more information provided to clients during intake phone call). Call (206) 957-8544 for an appointment. Appointments are typically Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 PM. International District Legal Clinic Chinese Information and Services Center 611 S Lane St. Seattle, WA 98144

Provides civil legal aid services to low-income tenants with pending eviction, subsidy terminations and requests for reasonable accommodation in King County. Tenant Law Center attorneys can assist with evictions from permanent and subsidized housing. A notice is not required Tenant Law Center can assist with: - Pending evictions for residents who have not yet received a Summons and Complaint. - Preventing Section 8 subsidy terminations for King County residents (cannot do reinstatements); must have written notice of pending subsidy termination. - Helps tenants in King County get reasonable accommodations after the initial request was denied.

Requires landlords to offer tenants, early notice and, for low income-tenants, relocation assistance if tenants must move out of their rental unit due to: - The unit being torn down or renovated   - The unit's use being changed - The unit being illegal - The landlord being required to reduce the number of unrelated tenants living there - The unit being ordered vacated and closed   - Emergency conditions caused by the landlord.   Relocation assistance is paid directly to the tenant.   Also requires landlords to give a reason for asking a tenant to move.

Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) housing and zoning inspectors respond to complaints about:   -  Minimum housing standards -  Land use violations -  Shorelines -  "Just cause" eviction -  Vacant and unfit buildings -  Lock-outs -  Rent increases without proper notice -  Landlord or property manager retaliation -  Landlord or property manager entering a unit without both notice and consent -  Prohibiting tenant organizing -  Landlord or property manager harassment Health and safety are the department's first priorities for investigation and resolution of reported violations.    Health concerns include tenant complaints about conditions that may cause mold in rental units, such as excessive moisture. Seattle’s Housing and Building Maintenance Code (HBMC) contains requirements designed to keep building occupants dry and warm. In a building maintained in compliance with code requirements, all components of the building including foundation, roof, walls and windows are reasonably weather tight, watertight and damp-free.   SDCI conducts inspections of the property named in the complaint and contacts the landlord. SDCI sets a time frame for voluntary resolution.   Code compliance specialists will take cases that violate housing codes, and will require rescission of bad eviction notices and correction of unsafe or unpermitted housing conditions. The law department will eventually sue violators if necessary. Also performs investigations of illegal evictions.   New enforcement for leases entered into after 1/15/17. Refer if: -  The landlord requires security deposit/nonrefundable move-in fees that are more than first month's rent   -  The landlord requires nonrefundable move-in fees other than for tenant screening report, cleaning at termination of tenancy, criminal background check, or credit report   -  The landlord requires a pet deposit that is more than 25% of first month's rent or any other pet fee/rent -  The landlord refuses to enter payment plan for security deposit/nonrefundable move-in fees, pet deposit, or last month's rent -  The deposit not returned and no move-in checklist was signed by landlord and tenant at move-in -  No statement of deposit or deposit returned 21 days after tenant moved out   Advance notice may be needed for an interpreter.

Provides free civil legal services for youth and young adults between ages 12-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.