Cecily Zamora
If you are a landlord or tenant in Yakima County, Washington, and need help with landlord-tenant laws, there are several resources available to you. The Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services provide referrals to volunteer attorneys for low-income clients needing representation in civil cases, including eviction defense. The Northwest Justice Project and Washington Law Help also offer resources and legal information for landlords and tenants. Additionally, Yakima County has a rental assistance program and a landlord funding program funded by the state Department of Commerce, which can provide financial support to those struggling to pay rent or facing eviction. For those seeking private legal counsel, there are several top-rated landlord-tenant attorneys serving Yakima County.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the organization | Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services |
| Contact number | 509-426-3168 |
| [email protected] | |
| Address | 6 S 2nd Street, Yakima |
| Northwest Justice Project contact number | 1-888-201-1014 |
| Northwest Justice Project address | 311 N. 4th Street, Suite 201 Yakima |
| Northwest Justice Project working hours | 9-12 and 1-5 M-F |
| Other organizations | Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, Catholic Charities, OIC of Washington, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic Northwest Community Action Center |
| Top-rated Yakima County landlord-tenant attorneys | Zach Stambaugh, Brian G. Davis, Scott A. Milburn, Niki J. Krimmel-Morrison |
| Yakima County Court address | Yakima Superior Court, Yakima County, Washington |
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Tenants' rights
Tenants in Yakima County, Washington, have several rights and resources available to them in the event of a dispute with their landlord. Here are some key points regarding tenant rights in Yakima County:
Illegal Lockouts and Evictions
Illegal lockouts, where a landlord changes the locks or denies a tenant access to the rental property without a court order, are prohibited under state law. Tenants who have been illegally locked out can call the Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services for assistance. They can provide referrals to volunteer attorneys who can help tenants understand their rights and take legal action if necessary. Tenants may also file a complaint with the Washington State Office of the Attorney General if they believe they have been illegally evicted.
Mediation and Repayment Plans
In Yakima County, landlords are required to offer tenants the option of participating in a mediation program before filing an eviction action in court. This program provides an opportunity for both parties to negotiate and come to a mutually agreeable solution. During this process, tenants have the right to receive information about rental assistance, legal aid, and repayment plans. Tenants are not obligated to accept the landlord's repayment plan and can negotiate during mediation.
Legal Assistance
There are several legal resources available to tenants in Yakima County. The Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services, through their Housing Justice Project, provides legal assistance to low-income clients facing eviction or other civil cases related to their tenancy. Additionally, tenants can refer to the list of top-rated Washington attorneys serving Yakima County, such as Zach Stambaugh, who can assist with a range of legal matters, including landlord-tenant issues.
Other Resources
The Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima provides valuable resources for both landlords and tenants, including information on the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP) and the required notices and documentation. Additionally, tenants can refer to the Yakima Housing Authority and Washington Law Help for further information on tenant rights and COVID-19-related impacts on their legal rights.
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Eviction process
In Yakima County, tenants facing eviction can seek help from the Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services, a nonprofit organisation that provides referrals to volunteer attorneys for low-income clients needing representation in civil cases. The organisation has invested resources into eviction defence during the pandemic and can be contacted at (509) 426-3168 or (509)453-4400.
The Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties (DRC) manages the local Eviction Resolution Program (ERP), which connects landlords and tenants with a dispute resolution specialist and resources such as rental assistance before filing a court action. As part of the process, landlords must provide tenants and the DRC with information about rental assistance, legal aid contacts, and a reasonable repayment plan, in addition to the standard 14-day pay or vacate notice.
Under Washington law, landlords cannot evict tenants without legal cause. Legal grounds for eviction include non-payment of rent, violating the terms of the lease, or not upholding responsibilities under Washington landlord-tenant law. Before filing an eviction lawsuit, landlords must first give tenants proper notice, typically 14 days to pay rent or vacate the premises, and provide them with a chance to cure the violation.
If the tenant does not pay rent or vacate within the specified time, the landlord can proceed with the eviction process by filing a complaint in the appropriate Superior Court. The summons and complaint must be served to the tenant in person or left with someone of "suitable age" residing in the rental unit. If personal delivery is not possible, the court may authorise alternative methods, such as posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the premises.
It is important to note that state law prohibits landlords from changing the locks on a rental property to prevent a tenant from entering without a court order obtained through the legal eviction process. If a tenant is illegally locked out, they can call the Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services for assistance in taking legal action against the landlord.
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Illegal lockouts
In Yakima County, Washington, tenants who have been illegally locked out of their homes by their landlords can seek legal help from the Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services. This nonprofit organisation provides referrals to volunteer attorneys for low-income clients needing representation in civil cases, including eviction defence. During the pandemic, the nonprofit has invested more of its resources into eviction defence. Tenants can call (509) 426-3168 or (509)453-4400 for assistance.
To legally evict a tenant in Washington, landlords must first offer tenants the option to participate in a mediation program before filing an eviction action in court. If the tenant chooses to participate, the landlord must also participate, and they have 30 days from the date of acceptance to come to an agreement. As part of this process, the landlord must provide the tenant with information about rental assistance, legal aid contacts, and a reasonable repayment plan, in addition to the standard 14-day pay or vacate notice.
If a tenant is facing an illegal lockout, they can call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline to get a referral to a free legal service provider. They can also go to the housing court in their borough to file an Order to Show Cause for emergency relief to be restored to possession. It is important to remember that anything other than an official court order delivered by a Marshal or Sheriff is not a legal eviction, and tenants have the right to stay in their homes.
In addition to the nonprofit organisations and legal services mentioned above, tenants in Yakima County can also compare and contact top-rated Washington attorneys serving the county who specialise in landlord-tenant law. These attorneys can provide legal advice and representation in landlord-tenant disputes and help tenants understand their rights and options in the event of an illegal lockout.
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Landlord-tenant disputes
The Yakima Police Department's role in landlord-tenant disputes is primarily to advise both parties of their legal rights and responsibilities. Without a court order, law enforcement officers cannot compel a tenant with a legal right to be on the property to leave, nor can they force a landlord to allow a tenant to reclaim their property. However, the police can intervene if the dispute escalates to include threats, harassment, or other criminal issues.
Tenants facing illegal lockouts or evictions can also seek assistance from the Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties (DRC). Under the law, landlords must offer tenants the option to participate in the DRC's mediation program before filing an eviction action in court. If the tenant agrees to mediation, the landlord must also participate and provide information about rental assistance, legal aid contacts, and a reasonable repayment plan, in addition to the standard 14-day pay or vacate notice.
For tenants who need legal representation, there are several landlord-tenant lawyers serving Yakima County. Online resources like Justia allow users to compare top-rated Washington attorneys, including those specialising in landlord-tenant law, and provide details such as fees, client reviews, lawyer ratings, and work history.
Additionally, Yakima County offers a rental assistance program and a landlord funding program funded by the state Department of Commerce. These programs aim to stabilise households facing difficulties in paying rent during the pandemic and provide back payments to renters.
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Legal aid
If you are a landlord or tenant in Yakima County facing legal issues, there are several resources available to help you understand your rights and seek assistance.
The Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services Housing Justice Project provides legal aid to low-income clients needing representation in civil cases, including eviction defence. They can be contacted at (509) 426-3168 or (509)453-4400. Their email address is [email protected] and their address is 6 S 2nd Street, Yakima.
The Northwest Justice Project also provides legal aid and can be contacted at 1-888-201-1014. Their address is 311 N. 4th Street, Suite 201 Yakima, and they are open Monday to Friday, 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-5 pm.
Additionally, the Yakima Superior Court handles landlord-tenant cases and strives to provide a fair and impartial forum for dispute resolution.
For those facing illegal lockouts, it is important to know that landlords must obtain a court order to legally evict a tenant. If a landlord changes the locks without a court order, tenants can call the Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services for assistance in taking the landlord to court.
There are also several other organisations in Yakima County that provide rental assistance and support to both tenants and landlords, including Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, Catholic Charities, OIC of Washington, and Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic Northwest Community Action Center.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're facing an illegal lockout, you should call Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services at (509) 426-3168 as soon as possible. Attorneys can help you take your landlord to court and advocate for rental assistance.
The Eviction Resolution Pilot Program is a mediation program that landlords must offer tenants to participate in before filing an eviction action in court. If a tenant chooses to participate, the landlord must also participate, and they have 30 days from the date of acceptance to come to an agreement.
Landlord-tenant matters are primarily governed by state law, but county and municipal codes, as well as federal statutes, may also apply. You can find information on landlord-tenant issues, eviction, and tenants' rights on the Washington Law Help website.
Here are some landlord-tenant lawyers in Yakima County:
- Scott A. Milburn (with 39 years of experience)
- Niki J. Krimmel-Morrison (with 10 years of experience)
- Brian G. Davis (with 14 years of experience)
