Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 88 resources
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Energy assistance, utilities & telecommunications
Low income energy assistance programs
Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program
(Separate Website)
If you are in need of help to pay your home energy bill, you may qualify for emergency assistance.
By: LIHEAP Washington State
Programs Can Help Keep the Heat On
(Separate Website)
Winter 1997 consumer newsletter article describing the programs that can help consumers keep the heat on when they get behind on their utility bill.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Additional Requirements: Extra Money for Welfare (TANF) Clients
If you qualify for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) State Financial Assistance (SFA) or a Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) welfare grant and you have an emergency you may be eligible to get Additional Requirements (AR) which is money for emergency needs. This publication tells who can get additional requirements (AR) and under what circumstances.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Public Utilities
General information about your rights when dealing with public utilities.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Filing a Complaint with the Utilities and Transportation Committee
(Separate Website)
If you have a dispute with your utility company, you should first try to resolve it with the company. Many disputes can be resolved by asking for a supervisor. If you are unable to resolve the issue, this web site has an online complaint form if you decide to file a complaint regarding your utility service.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Smart Consumer Guide: Public Utility Service
(Separate Website)
Describes consumer rights relating to telephone, natural gas, electricity and water services.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Citizens Utility Alliance Web Site
(Separate Website)
The Citizens' Utility Alliance mission is to organize educate and advocate for residential natural gas electric water and telecommunications customers.
By: Citizens Utility Alliance of Washington
Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP)
WTAP is a benefit program that provides discounts on telephone fees for eligible households.
By: Columbia Legal Services
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Eviction and Your Defense
Landlords have to follow certain rules when they want a tenant to move out. This packet explains the reasons why landlords can evict tenants and how the eviction process works. It tells you what you should do if your landlord tries to evict you. It will also help you defend yourself in court against an eviction if you cannot get a lawyer to represent you.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Vacating a Judgment and Staying Enforcement of a Writ of Restitution
If you receive a judgment or a writ of restitution and you believe you had a good reason for not responding to the eviction summons or appearing at the show cause hearing, you may ask the court to vacate (or withdraw) the judgment and stay (or temporarily stop) the eviction.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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A New Federal Law Requires 90 Days Notice Prior to Eviction of any Tenant Living in a Foreclosed Property
If you rent your home, and your home was sold at a foreclosure sale after May 20, 2009, a new federal law, The Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009, requires the new owner to notify you at least 90 days before evicting you. You must still comply with the obligations of your lease or rental agreement during this time period.
By: Columbia Legal Services
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Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent in Public and Subsidized Housing
This publication briefly describes the steps a tenant should take to avoid an eviction for nonpayment of rent when living in public or subsidized housing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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HUD Housing Evictions
As a tenant living in an apartment complex where the landlord has a contract with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), you have greater protection against evictions than most other tenants. This publication briefly describes your rights and the steps you can take to avoid an eviction. This information is important because if you are evicted, you will lose your federal housing assistance.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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HUD Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program Evictions
As a tenant living in an apartment complex where the landlord has a contract with a local Housing Authority under the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program, you have greater protection against evictions than most other tenants. This publication briefly describes your rights and the steps you may take to avoid an eviction. This information is important because, if you are evicted, you will lose your federal housing assistance.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Public Housing Evictions
As a public housing tenant, you have greater protection against evictions than most other tenants do. You have these protections because if you are evicted from public housing, you will lose your federal housing subsidy, often worth hundreds of dollars per month. This publication briefly explains what you should do when the Housing Authority tries to evict you from public housing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Public Housing Grievance Procedure
As a public housing tenant, you have the right to appeal many decisions or actions taken by the Housing Authority through its administrative Public Housing Grievance Procedure. Every Housing Authority is required by federal law to adopt a written public housing grievance procedure. A copy of the agency's grievance procedure should be posted in their office and available upon request.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Section 515: Rural Rental Housing Evictions
As a tenant living in an apartment complex financed by the Rural Housing Service (formerly the Farmers Home Administration), you have greater protection against evictions than most other tenants. You may also be paying less than market rent for your apartment. It is important to understand that tenants who are evicted from such housing may lose their federal housing assistance. Because of this, you should do whatever you can to avoid an eviction. This publication briefly describes the steps a tenant can take to avoid an eviction.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Tenant Grievance and Appeals Procedure
As a tenant living in an apartment complex financed by the Rural Housing Service (formerly the Farmers Home Administration), you have the right to appeal many decisions you disagree with that are made by your landlord through the agency's tenant grievance and appeals procedure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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A New Federal Law Requires 90 Days Notice Prior to Eviction of any Tenant Living in a Foreclosed Property
If you rent your home, and your home was sold at a foreclosure sale after May 20, 2009, a new federal law, The Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009, requires the new owner to notify you at least 90 days before evicting you. You must still comply with the obligations of your lease or rental agreement during this time period.
By: Columbia Legal Services
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Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Description of Chapter 13 bankruptcy advantages, eligibility and how it works.
By: U.S. Courts - Federal Judiciary
Explore Loan Workout Solutions with Your Lender
(Separate Website)
First and foremost, if you can keep your mortgage current, do so. But if you find you are unable to make your mortgage payments, you might qualify for a loan workout option. Check with your lender to see which option may be available. Some options may not apply to your loan if it is not insured by FHA.
By: U.S. Department of Housing
Facing Foreclosure? A note to homeowners
(Separate Website)
Facing foreclosure? Scammers are targeting people having trouble paying their mortgages. Some claim to be able to "rescue" homeowners from foreclosures, while others promise loan modifications - for a fee. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to know how to avoid scams that could make your housing situation go from bad to worse.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Foreclosure/Forfeiture
If you fall behind in your monthly house payments, the seller or lender may try to take your house back. This is generally called foreclosure. If your house is foreclosed, you may lose not only your house, but also all the money you?ve invested in it.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Whether you're in foreclosure now or worried
about it in the future, this information can help.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
(Separate Website)
Listing of HUD approved counseling agencies for Washington State. These agencies can provide counseling on foreclosures and other housing issues.
By: U.S. Department of Housing
Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
If you are having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments or you have received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them, here are some tips to help get you back on track.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Your Home: Mortgage Payments
(Separate Website)
If you're having trouble making your payments, this article talks about what you should and things to avoid.
By: Federal Trade Commission
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Spanish / Español
Buying or Selling Real Estate
(Separate Website)
This pamphlet is intended to provide you with general information about the basics of buying and selling real estate.
By: Washington State Bar Association
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Don't Be a Victim of Loan Fraud - Protect Yourself From Predatory Lendors
(Separate Website)
Information you should know before you purchase or refinance a home loan. Link to PDF file.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Spanish / Español
Know Your Rights Before Purchasing a Manufactured Home
Many times the buyers do not understand all of the terms, often relying on verbal statements that are not in writing. Inform yourself well before buying!
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Predatory loans harm borrowers by making it difficult or impossible for them to keep up with payments. Borrowers may pay unnecessary fees and excessive interest charges. If they miss their payments, they risk losing their home. Borrowers who do not meet minimum credit standards usually do pay higher interest rates, but no one should be a victim of price gouging and outrageous fees.
By: Seattle / King County Coalition for Responsible Lending
High-Cost Home Loans: Don't Be a Target
(Separate Website)
You may be a target for abusive lenders trying to sell you a loan you can’t afford. This brochure has helpful information on how to avoid high cost loans.
By: National Consumer Law Center
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Chinese / 中文
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Spanish / Español
Smart Borrowing TV: How to Make Wise Borrowing Decisions
A series of short videos that cover the topics of borrowing fundamentals, credit cards, payday loans, auto loans, mortgages and mortgage refininancing
By: Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS)
Quit Claim Deeds and Life Estates Before transferring any property, it is best to consult with a lawyer to find out all the possible consequences of the transfer in your specific circumstances. Some lawyers will provide services free of charge or for a reduced fee for low-income people. Contact your local bar association for more information.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Buying or Selling Real Estate
(Separate Website)
This pamphlet is intended to provide you with general information about the basics of buying and selling real estate.
By: Washington State Bar Association
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Spanish / Español
Contractor Information
(Separate Website)
Information about hiring a contractor, reporting unregistered contractors and contractor forms.
By: Department L & I
Reverse Mortgage Loans 3/05
By: Columbia Legal Services
Smart Borrowing TV: How to Make Wise Borrowing Decisions
A series of short videos that cover the topics of borrowing fundamentals, credit cards, payday loans, auto loans, mortgages and mortgage refininancing
By: Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS)
What to do If You are not Satisfied with a Construction Contractor's Work and Want to File Suit against the Contractor's Bond
There are number of reasons why you may want to sue a construction contractor. The contractor did not finish the job you hired him to do, for example, or did not do a good job. If the contractor is bankrupt or does not have any other assets, you can sue against the contractor's bond.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Home Equity Loans: Borrower Beware!
(Separate Website)
Do you own your home? If so, it's likely to be your greatest single asset. Unfortunately, if you agree to a loan that's based on the equity you have in your home, you may be putting your most valuable asset at risk.
Foreclosure/Forfeiture
If you fall behind in your monthly house payments, the seller or lender may try to take your house back. This is generally called foreclosure. If your house is foreclosed, you may lose not only your house, but also all the money you?ve invested in it.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Don't Be a Victim of Loan Fraud - Protect Yourself From Predatory Lendors
(Separate Website)
Information you should know before you purchase or refinance a home loan. Link to PDF file.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Predatory loans harm borrowers by making it difficult or impossible for them to keep up with payments. Borrowers may pay unnecessary fees and excessive interest charges. If they miss their payments, they risk losing their home. Borrowers who do not meet minimum credit standards usually do pay higher interest rates, but no one should be a victim of price gouging and outrageous fees.
By: Seattle / King County Coalition for Responsible Lending
Property Tax Exemptions for Senior Citizens and Disabled People
The property tax exemption is a way to lower the property taxes you have to pay by exempting all excess levies (like school construction bonds and other levies passed by voters) and sometimes part of regular levies on your home. The program does not apply to property where you do not live a majority of the time, or to more than one acre surrounding your home.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
If you are having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments or you have received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them, here are some tips to help get you back on track.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Your Home: Mortgage Payments
(Separate Website)
If you're having trouble making your payments, this article talks about what you should and things to avoid.
By: Federal Trade Commission
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Spanish / Español
Discrimination in Housing Sales and Rentals
(Separate Website)
The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Washington's Law Against Discrimination prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in the sale or rental of any dwelling. The FHA also prohibits discrimination against the family of a person with a disability.
By: Disability Rights Washington
Fair Housing
(Separate Website)
Decent, safe, affordable housing is everyone's goal, but it's often barred to people with mental disabilities. There are two main reasons: too little low-income housing and too much discrimination against those who want to live in it. Here's some information about both.
By: Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Fair Housing in Washington State: Top 100 FAQs for Property Owner and Managers
(Separate Website)
The Fair Housing Agencies of Washington State would like to partner with you in
affirmatively furthering your fair housing efforts by providing this guidebook for your use.
We hope to be instrumental in providing information and assistance in our joint effort to
provide fair housing for all.
By: King County Office of Civil Rights
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