If you’re a renter, we have helpful information about your rights, how to get help paying rent, and how to resolve issues with your housing.
On May 17, 2023, new rules for rental housing agreements went into effect across our City. Learn more in the following sections.
Our Renting in SeaTac Guide(PDF, 226KB) explains:
Under City rules, your landlord needs to give you a copy of this guide.
The new rules affect the types of fees landlords can charge.
If there will be a big increase in rent, your landlord must tell you at least 120 days in advance.
Additionally, landlords cannot increase rent if a unit is uninhabitable.
If you are on a fixed income—such as retirement benefits—you can ask to change the date your rent is due each month.
Landlords can ask for your Social Security number. If you don’t have a Social Security number, you don’t need to provide one.
Landlords need to have a good reason (“just cause”) before evicting a tenant.
Need help paying rent or resolving an issue with your landlord? Check the following resources to get support.
Get rent and utility assistance from:
Get help with rental housing and Section 8 vouchers.
Provides emergency funding for tenants.
Open Fridays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Provides rental assistance.
Provides COVID-related emergency rent assistance.
Free legal education materials, forms, and packets.
Free legal assistance from King County Bar Association
Free legal assistance from Catholic Community Services.
30-minute consultations at locations throughout King County.
Legal help over the phone from the Northwest Justice Project.
Guide for tenants (not legal advice).
Investigates rental housing violations. Before contacting Code Compliance, you’ll first need to try resolving your issue through the processes of the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA).
Trained mediators that can help tenants and landlords resolve issues.
Contact King County’s Public Health, Environmental Health Division.
Contact the Eastgate District Office.
If the issue is in your unit or on the property, contact your landlord.
If the issue is on a public street, visit our utilities page to find out who to contact.
Contact the Puget Sound Clear Air Agency.
Call the King County Health Department’s Household Hazards Line.
Call King County Health Department’s indoor air specialists:
Contact the National Lead Information Center:
Visit our language access page to find support.
For additional information about rental housing, email rentalhousing@seatacwa.gov.