Washington Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel

Washington rules on section 8, records & right to counsel for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.

Short answer: Yes, statewide. Landlords may not refuse to rent, evict, set different terms or fees, discourage, misrepresent availability, or advertise preferences based on a tenant's source of income, which includes housing assistance (e.g., vouchers), public assistance, emergency rental assistance… RCW 59.18.255

The rules in Washington

Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income	Yes, statewide. Landlords may not refuse to rent, evict, set different terms or fees, discourage, misrepresent availability, or advertise preferences based on a tenant's source of income, which includes housing assistance (e.g., vouchers), public assistance, emergency rental assistance, veterans benefits, Social Security/SSI and other federal, state, local or nonprofit programs. If an income threshold is used, the voucher/subsidy must be subtracted from the rent before applying it. Narrow exception where the subsidy requires an inspection and repairs would cost more than $1,500 and mitigation funds were not received. Liability up to 4.5 times monthly rent plus costs and attorney's fees. Source: RCW 59.18.255
Eviction record sealing	By court order only (no automatic sealing). A court may order an unlawful detainer action to be of 'limited dissemination' if the landlord's case was sufficiently without basis in fact or law, the tenancy was reinstated under RCW 59.18.410 or other law, or other good cause exists. The order must be in writing. Tenant screening companies may then not disclose the case or use it in any score or recommendation. Source: RCW 59.18.367
Right to a lawyer in eviction	Yes, statewide (2021 c 115). Subject to appropriated funds, the court must appoint an attorney for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer case under chapters 59.18, 59.12 and 59.20 RCW, administered by the Office of Civil Legal Aid. Indigent means receiving specified public assistance (e.g., TANF, SSI, Medicaid, food assistance) or having after-tax income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The statutory 14-day notice form directs tenants to the Eviction Defense Screening Line (RCW 59.18.057). Source: RCW 59.18.640

Washington vs. neighboring states

Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel: Washington vs. neighboring states
State	Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income	Eviction record sealing	Right to a lawyer in eviction
Washington	Yes, statewide. Landlords may not refuse to rent, evict, set different terms or fees, discourage, misrepresent availability, or advertise preferences based on a tenant's source of income, which includes housing assistance (e.g., vouchers), public assistance, emergency rental assistance, veterans benefits, Social Security/SSI and other federal, state, local or nonprofit programs. If an income threshold is used, the voucher/subsidy must be subtracted from the rent before applying it. Narrow exception where the subsidy requires an inspection and repairs would cost more than $1,500 and mitigation funds were not received. Liability up to 4.5 times monthly rent plus costs and attorney's fees. RCW 59.18.255	By court order only (no automatic sealing). A court may order an unlawful detainer action to be of 'limited dissemination' if the landlord's case was sufficiently without basis in fact or law, the tenancy was reinstated under RCW 59.18.410 or other law, or other good cause exists. The order must be in writing. Tenant screening companies may then not disclose the case or use it in any score or recommendation. RCW 59.18.367	Yes, statewide (2021 c 115). Subject to appropriated funds, the court must appoint an attorney for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer case under chapters 59.18, 59.12 and 59.20 RCW, administered by the Office of Civil Legal Aid. Indigent means receiving specified public assistance (e.g., TANF, SSI, Medicaid, food assistance) or having after-tax income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. RCW 59.18.640
Idaho	No. The Idaho Human Rights Act's housing protections cover race, color, religion, sex, national origin (and disability/familial status provisions), not source of income. Since 2025, local governments may not require owners to participate in optional federal housing assistance programs (e.g., Housing Choice Vouchers). Idaho Code §§ 67-5909, 55-306	Automatic shielding (no petition) for unlawful detainer cases filed on or after Jan. 1, 2025, if the entire case was dismissed, no appeal is pending, and either 3 years have passed since filing or the parties filed a stipulation to shield. Shielded records are removed from public view but remain available to the parties and court staff. Any party may also petition to seal eviction records under Idaho Supreme Court administrative rules. Idaho Code § 6-303A	Not verified yet
Oregon	Yes, statewide. Refusing to rent, setting different terms, or expelling based on source of income is prohibited; 'source of income' includes Section 8 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) and any other local, state or federal housing assistance (but not income from a specific occupation or illegal income). Landlord may still refuse based on inability to pay rent, counting the value of the housing assistance. ORS 659A.421	Yes. By motion (no filing fee): court must set aside the judgment and seal records if the tenant won or the case was dismissed; if a stipulated judgment was complied with; or if a restitution judgment's money award is satisfied and 5 years have passed (or the claims arose April 1, 2020 - March 1, 2022). Automatic: each court must annually set aside and seal FED judgments with no unpaid money award where the landlord won 5+ years ago or the defendant won/dismissal 12+ months ago. Once sealed, the judgment is deemed not entered. ORS 105.163; ORS 105.164	No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. ORS ch. 90; ORS 105.100-105.168

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Washington Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel FAQ

Is it illegal for a landlord to refuse Section 8 vouchers in Washington?

Yes, statewide. Landlords may not refuse to rent, evict, set different terms or fees, discourage, misrepresent availability, or advertise preferences based on a tenant's source of income, which includes housing assistance (e.g., vouchers), public assistance, emergency rental assistance, veterans benefits, Social Security/SSI and other federal, state, local or nonprofit programs. If an income threshold is used, the voucher/subsidy must be subtracted from the rent before applying it. Narrow exception where the subsidy requires an inspection and repairs would cost more than $1,500 and mitigation funds were not received. Liability up to 4.5 times monthly rent plus costs and attorney's fees. (RCW 59.18.255)

Can an eviction record be sealed or removed in Washington?

By court order only (no automatic sealing). A court may order an unlawful detainer action to be of 'limited dissemination' if the landlord's case was sufficiently without basis in fact or law, the tenancy was reinstated under RCW 59.18.410 or other law, or other good cause exists. The order must be in writing. Tenant screening companies may then not disclose the case or use it in any score or recommendation. (RCW 59.18.367)

Do tenants have a right to a free lawyer in eviction cases in Washington?

Yes, statewide (2021 c 115). Subject to appropriated funds, the court must appoint an attorney for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer case under chapters 59.18, 59.12 and 59.20 RCW, administered by the Office of Civil Legal Aid. Indigent means receiving specified public assistance (e.g., TANF, SSI, Medicaid, food assistance) or having after-tax income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. (RCW 59.18.640)

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.