Advice for course of action with retaining my rental

Hi, I live in Washington state, San juan county

I need to quit a toxic job. But my boss is the leaseholder of my rental. My pets and finances make it impossible to move right now.

I moved to take a job a few years ago. That job tanked, badly and torched my finances with it.

Since I was renting from my prior employer when things went south I went to my new employer to provide housing. When I was hired he went off about the housing he provides for employees so I thought he had something already.

He said he would get me a rental. I waited to give my notice to vacate until the last day in case he couldn't find a place, I have 5 pets so its very hard to find rentals.

He promised me he had it in order so I put in my notice.

Well he didn't. He told my two days before I had to move that he actually hadn't been able to find me anything. That the pets made it harder than he thought. I had told him that it would be impossible with my pets but he promised he had sources and it wouldn't be an issue. I trusted him and gave up a home where I could have my pets. I'm typically a very long term tenant. I've had 3 rentals in 17 years and was house shopping when I moved to begin the new job.

I then searched myself, found a rental and secured it. But when it came time to sign the lease it was put fully in his name.

Now, I was in a bad headspace. Filing bankruptcy, car being repossessed worked 30 - 12 hour days in a row. Panicked that I was going to lose my pets.

So I didn't stop to look deeply into the moment, I just took the moment to feel somewhat safer and kept going.

I pay the rent, it's taken from my paychecks but isn't a part of my compensation. I have no contract with him. Nothing stating this rental is tied to my employment.

But he did pay the move in fees. I hadn't been made aware that he was going to do this. I had expected it to be taken from my pay like the rent. But I found out later that he did this to "help me".

The landlords know it was rented for me to live here. My neighbors only know that I rent here. I'm the direct contact for anything happening with the landlords. My mail is addressed to here, my paystubs have this address on it.

I've lived here for almost 7 months.

I have to quit this job. Its toxic, this guys a scary jerk. As I stated I'm filling bankruptcy but haven't been able to afford it yet. My employer hasn't come up with parts of the compensation we had agreed on. This has caused a financial burden and the job just pays less than I would need anyway.

I can't pay the deposit fees, or for a lawyer (though I make too much for financial support).

How much of a claim do I have to this place and how do I fight for it.

The property manager was open to a lease assignment, but that involves my boss signing away the lease and I don't trust him to do so.

I'm afraid of retaliation and if i go to him it will start off a cascade effect of me losing my home, my pets and everything that makes life a life for me.

Thanks