Author: Sean Powers

Important Changes to Landlord Tenant Laws

The Washington Legislature recently passed a number of important changes to the state’s landlord-tenant laws (generally, at RCW 59.18).  These changes include things like standards for rent repayment plans (as long as the state eviction moratorium is in effect), help for low-income tenants to get legal assistance, support for Eviction Resolution Pilot Programs and a prohibition against “no cause” evictions.

 

The Northwest Justice Project has put together a very good summary of the changes HERE.

Information about King County’s Eviction Resolution Program can be found HERE.

You can find a link to an Eviction Defense Helper HERE.

Behind on Rent? King County Announces New Assistance

Low income residents of King County who are behind on their rent can now apply for a new assistance program.  Recipients will be selected in a weekly lottery-style drawing and can can receive up to 12 months of total rent – including up to three months of future rent.  To qualify for the aid, applicants must be experiencing COVID-related hardships and housing instability.

You can read the entire Seattle Times article HERE.

Renters can apply for the help here: https://rent-help.kingcounty.gov/

White House Fights to Increase Access to Legal Aid

Having legal representation can make all the difference in the world – from keeping someone in their home, to securing proper citizenship status, to protecting people against consumer fraud.  This week, the White House announced that it was reinvigorating federal efforts to provide that critical aid – including a request of $1.5 billion in funding for state and local justice systems.

 

You can read the White House announcement HERE.

The Associated Press story can be read HERE.

 

A New Tool for Tracking Felony Cases in King County

The King County Prosecutor’s Office has launched an online dashboard that lets you track important data bout the felony cases that they’re pursuing.  The tool is an effort to offer more transparency around the number and types of cases being brought in the County – and how it’s being affected by the pandemic.

You can view the dashboard HERE.

You can read and listen to the the full story HERE.

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

In an increasingly online world, identity theft has become a greater risk for all of us.  In fact, just recently the personal information of 1.4 million Washingtonians was stolen from a state computer vendor.

An article from the Washington State Law Library lays out some helpful steps that you can take if you think your information was compromised or if you think that someone is actively using your identity.

You can read the full article HERE.

Free Webinar on the Contract Obligations in the age of COVID-19

KCLL subscribers have remote access to a growing list of important treatises – and that includes Corbin on Contracts.  Corbin’s publisher LexisNexis is putting on a free 90-minute webinar that will look at the topic of Force Majeure in age of COVID-19.  Covered topics will include rights of recovery, how to protect businesses with contract waivers, current legal developments, and much, much more.  For more information and to register, click HERE.

If you are a current KCLL subscriber and would like to access Corbin on contracts, visit our Remote Databases page and click on e-Books for Subscribers; you can then simply search for the term “Corbin.”

Black History Month: A Collection of Online Resources

As we reflect upon and honor the many contributions that have made us a richer nation and region, here are a few suggestions to help celebrate this important month: