Landlord-Tenant

Attorney Representation for Indigent Tenants

A new law in 2021 created a right to counsel for indigent tenants. If you would like an attorney, you must be screened to find out if you qualify:

Call Skagit Legal Aid at 360-230-8100, or
Call the Eviction Defense Screening Line at 1-855-657-8387, or
Apply online for help at https://nwjustice.org/apply-online
San Juan County Superior Court’s Standing Order for Appointment of Counsel for Indigent Defendants in Unlawful Detainers
Motion and Order for Appointment of Counsel - which must be filled out by Skagit Legal Aid or Northwest Justice Project confirming that you qualify for appointment of counsel

Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP)

San Juan County recently implemented an Eviction Resolution Pilot Program. Landlords must attempt resolution through the ERPP before filing in Superior Court to evict a tenant for failure to pay rent. The objective of the ERPP is to:

Bring all parties to the table with the assistance of qualified and trained Eviction Resolution Specialists;
Explore the amount of rent owed, the circumstances of the tenant, the availability of rent assistance and other help to pay past due rent; and/or arrange a reasonable payment plan; and
Reach a compromise agreement between landlord and tenant that allows the tenant to keep their housing and that avoids the need to file an eviction proceeding.

ERPP Resources

San Juan County Superior Court’s Standing Order for Implementation of an Eviction Resolution Pilot Program
Mandatory ERPP Notice (when a landlord seeks eviction based on failure to pay rent, the landord must provide an ERPP Notice to the tenant)
Rental Assistance Request form (landlords may choose to assst their tenants by submitting this form to rentassistance@voaww.org)
Sample certification the Dispute Resolution Center will issue when the landlord’s obligation to initiate an ERPP resolution has been completed
Phone number for Dispute Resolution Center, 425-339-1335 (Option 4)
Northwest Justice Project Eviction Defense Screening Line flier
Dispute Resolution Center, www.voaww.org/drc
Enabling Order from Washington State Supreme Court