Can a Washington landlord raise rent at lease renewal?

Yes. The end of a fixed-term Washington lease is the typical (and statutorily safest) time for a rent increase. The landlord serves a renewal offer with the new rent, with at least the statutory notice period before the current term ends (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.). The tenant has three options: accept and sign for the new term at the new rent, decline and vacate at term end, or stay past term end and convert to a holdover or month-to-month tenancy depending on state law. Where rent control applies, the renewal increase is capped at the statutory annual cap even at renewal. If the tenant continues paying the old rent past the renewal date without signing, Washington courts often treat this as acceptance of the new rent only if the landlord has given proper written notice and accepted the new payment.

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