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Dec
17

Housing Services for Individuals, Renters, and Households

People who rent or lease a dwelling to live in (such as an apartment or house) are called ‘tenants’. There are federal, state, and local laws that protect tenants from housing discrimination. These laws are called ‘fair housing’ laws that protect people from discrimination in housing based on a person’s ancestry, disability and use of a service animal, gender, parental status, marital status, religion, participation in Section 8 voucher program or other similar government housing subsidy programs, sexual orientation (includes gender identity), and age. 

Housing repair program

We provide funding for housing repair services to low-income homeowners and special needs renters in most parts of King County, located in Washington State.

Eviction notices

In July 2021, King County enacted Ordinance 19311, which created several new tenant protections in unincorporated King County. The ordinance requires the King County Executive to develop standardized eviction notices for landlords to use when terminating a tenancy.

Unincorporated tenant protections

Learn more about tenant protections available for residents of unincorporated King County, as covered in the King County Code.

Housing discrimination

If you are a tenant and facing housing discrimination, you can make a complaint with a fair housing agency. 

  • If you live in an unincorporated part of King County, you may make a complaint to the King County Office of Civil Rights, part of King County Equity and Social Justice Office. 

Tenants with disabilities

If you are a tenant with a disability, you are entitled to reasonable modifications and accommodations to housing. Modifications are generally at the expense of the tenant and with the permission of the landlord. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold permission but can require restoration to the original condition. Tenants can apply for financial assistance for modifications through the King County Housing Repair program. 

Other Resources for Renters

Here is a list of additional resources to help you with tenant and landlord issues: 

Looking for services?

Looking for services?

  • Contact the Resource Access Team to connect with services that include bridging short-term financial gaps.  
  • Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-621-4636, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. for a range of health and human services, from finding an emergency shelter to adult disability supports. Immediate language interpretation is available in more than 155 languages.  
  • Dial 7-1-1 for interpretation and accessibility services. A person with a hearing loss or speech disability will be connected with a Communication Assistant to help.  
  • Contact a Regional Access Point if you are living outside and need help finding a long-term housing solution. 
  • Keep King County Housed is a rent assistance and eviction program for renters who need help covering past-due rent and/or have an active eviction notice.  
  • If you are facing eviction, the Housing Justice Project provides free legal assistance to renters facing eviction in King County. 
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