Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Washington

No, a natural person can self-represent

There is no legal requirement that a natural person hires an attorney to represent the personal in court. A natural person has the right to represent himself/herself in court.

However, in an unlawful detainer (eviction) proceeding, the statutory procedures must be followed to the letter. A party that fails to follow the statutory procedures likely will lose the case and may be ordered to pay the other side's attorney's fees.

Unless you want to learn or have the time to learn the procedures and laws, it may be cost effective to hire an attorney.

In an eviction proceeding, the prevailing landlord generally can ask the court to order the tenant to pay attorney's fees for the landlord. If the tenant does not have money to pay rent, the tenant likely will not have the money to pay attorney's fees for the landlord either.