Are utilities considered part of rent in Washington?

It depends on the lease. If the Washington lease bundles utilities into the monthly rent (one combined number, paid to the landlord), they are part of rent for purposes of the rent cap, the deposit cap, and rent increase notice. If the lease separates them (tenant pays the utility company directly, or pays a separate utility allowance to the landlord), they are usually NOT part of rent. Washington HB 1217 (2024) requires 90 days advance notice for any rent increase, prohibits any increase during the first 12 months, and caps annual increases at the lower of CPI + 7% or 10% flat. Buildings under 12 years old are exempt. The rent cap framework sunsets July 1, 2040. A landlord who shifts utilities from "included" to "tenant pays" mid-tenancy without proper notice is effectively raising rent and must comply with the rent increase notice rules. Some Washington jurisdictions also require RUBS (ratio utility billing system) or sub-metering disclosures before splitting utilities. The key question: does the change increase the tenant's net monthly out-of-pocket cost? If yes, treat it as a rent increase.

Source: RCW 59.18.140 (90-day advance notice for any rent increase, HB 1217)