If you are a tenant that needs to answer a Complaint for a Nonpayment of Rent Eviction (Unlawful Detainer), you can find the forms you need here: https://courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms/housing, under "Respond to an Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent."

Rental and utility assistance is available for low income families who are unable to pay their current rent or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic or the related economic crisis.

If you live within Ada County or the City of Boise, contact the Boise City Ada County Housing Authority for rent/utility assistance: https://erap.bcacha.org/. 

If you reside in Ada or Canyon County, you may also qualify for assistance from Jesse Tree. Please view their brochure below or visit the Jesse Tree website here: https://www.jessetreeidaho.org/.

If you live outside Ada County, contact Idaho Housing and Finance Association for rent or utility assistance: https://www.idahohousing.com/hpp/ 

Idaho Legal Aid Services has created a series of videos to provide information to tenants facing an eviction. If you have questions about the eviction process, tenants’ rights in eviction, and possible defenses to raise in an eviction hearing, these videos could be a great resource for you:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist…

In Idaho, investor-owned utilities providing basic services such as electricity, gas, water and telecommunications services must follow rules that protect consumers. The rules are established and enforced by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC). The IPUC is a state agency charged with regulating investor-owned utilities. (City-owned or cooperative utilities are not regulated by the IPUC). The rules say when a utility can and cannot disconnect service to a customer. They also require utilities to inform customers before service is actually shut off, so that payment plans can be attempted and disconnection avoided.

This fact sheet answers common questions about your rights and responsibilities as a customer of a regulated gas, electric, or water utility. Please click here to view the factsheet: Utility Disconnection Factsheet.pdf.

Temporary Reduction in Rent Agreement. Idaho Legal Aid has prepared a customizable template agreement to assist tenants and landlords who have agreed to a temporary reduction in rent due to the pandemic. The form is not interactive, but can be downloaded as a PDF or Word document. Scroll down to the bottom of this page to find these forms.

Please visit the Court Assistance Office (CAO) website for landlord-tenant self-help forms.

Please read over the list below to make sure you qualify to use the interactive forms:

Tenants

• You are a tenant living in Idaho.
• You are representing yourself (if the issue goes to court).
• You know the landlord is not protected by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003.

Landlords

• You are the property owner and your property is in Idaho.
• The property is less than 5 acres.
• You are representing yourself (if the issue goes to court).
• You know the tenant(s) are not protected by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003.
• You are evicting tenant(s) for non-payment of rent.
• You are not trying to remove a mobile home from a rented space.

If any of the statements above are false, check with your local Court Assistance Office for more information about how to proceed.

Interactive Forms for Tenants and Landlords

Interactive forms are free to low income people in Idaho with certain legal issues. Interactive forms allow a person to input information which automatically enters into the appropriate forms. Interactive forms are available on the Idaho Guide & File website.  Click "Start Your Legal Process" to to generate forms you can use to e-file or print to file in person at your local courthouse.

Fillable PDF Forms

Fillable PDF forms are also available if you prefer not use to the interactive forms process. You may find fillable PDF forms and instructions here: https://courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/. Please click on the "Forms" tab in the top-right corner and then select the type of issue you are having and it will bring you to the appropriate forms for that issue. Don't forget to view the instructions for each form before filing out the forms.

The information contained in this guide has been temporarily removed until it can be updated. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) created a new tool that allows renters and landlords to find rental assistance programs in their area.

To use this tool, please visit: www.consumerfinance.gov/renthelp

This YouTube video by Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. explains a tenant's right to a jury trial in Idaho evictions where a question of fact is in dispute (where the parties disagree on some fact materially related to the case). 

Attached below please find forms and information that may be helpful to you in your eviction case related to requesting a jury trial.

For more information, please visit Idaho's 211 Website: https://211.idaho.gov/ or Idaho Housing's Website: https://www.idahohousing.com/covid-19/.

This guide goes through the general process of a civil lawsuit in Idaho. 

This pamphlet is a brief summary of the rules adopted by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) concerning electric, natural gas, and water termination practices. The rules apply to all residential customers of investor-owned utilities in Idaho under the jurisdiction of the PUC such as Idaho Power, Avista Utilities, Intermountain Gas, Utah Power & Light, Pacific Power & Light, Citizens Utility, and United Water.

These rules do not apply to cooperative utilities or municipally owned utilities.

Attached is a What to Do If Your Landlord Shuts Off Your Utility Service(s) Guide created by Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc.

This guide provides information on your rights in this situation and the steps you can take to get your utility service turned back on as quickly as possible.