How long does a Washington landlord have to return the security deposit?

Washington: 30 days with written retention statement.

How many days pay-or-quit notice does Washington require?

Washington: 14 days (RCW 59.12.030).

How much notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy in Washington?

Washington: 90 days notice for any rent increase (RCW 59.18.140, HB 1217).

Does Washington have rent control?

Washington: CPI + 7% or 10% max (RCW 59.18.700 series, HB 1217).

What is the security deposit cap in Washington?

Washington does not have a statewide statutory cap on the security deposit amount. Local ordinances in specific cities may impose caps. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Washington?

Washington requires the landlord to return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of the tenant vacating. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq.. Missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold any portion of the deposit and, in some states, expose the landlord to double or treble damages.

How much notice is required for a rent increase in Washington?

Washington requires 90 days of advance written notice for a rent increase. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..

What is the late fee cap in Washington?

Washington does not impose a specific statutory percentage cap on late fees. Courts generally require the fee to be reasonable and tied to the landlord's actual damages. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..

How many days is the pay-or-quit notice in Washington?

Washington requires a 14-day pay-or-quit notice before an unlawful detainer or eviction filing can be initiated for non-payment of rent. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..

How much notice terminates a month-to-month tenancy in Washington?

Washington requires 20 days of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..

What mandatory disclosures does Washington require in a lease?

Washington leases must include these disclosures: Federal lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 units); Mold disclosure (Rev. Code Wash. § 59.18.060(13)); Fire safety and protection disclosure; Move-in checklist required if deposit collected (Rev. Code Wash. § 59.18.260); HB 1217 rent cap notice (effective 2025-05-07). Missing a required disclosure can invalidate the lease's enforceability on that point and sometimes on the lease as a whole. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..

Which Washington statute governs landlord-tenant law?

Washington HB 1217 (effective May 7, 2025) amends RCW 59.18.140 to require 90 days written notice for any rent increase, and creates a new RCW 59.18.700 series that prohibits any rent increase during the first twelve months of tenancy and caps annual rent increases for covered residential tenancies at the lesser of (CPI plus seven percent) or ten percent per twelve-month period. Buildings within the first twelve years of certificate of occupancy are exempt from the rent cap; the statewide program itself sunsets July 1, 2040. Seattle imposes just-cause eviction protections under SMC 22.206.160. The 2023 Residential Landlord Tenant Act amendments expanded tenant protections significantly. The primary citation used across LeaseKit templates for this state is: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..

LeaseKit/States/Washington

Washington · Full coverage

Washington landlord-tenant law.

Quick-reference on Washington residential landlord-tenant rules, primary statute RCW 59.18, HB 1217 (2024). Below are every LeaseKit tool that applies to Washington: calculators, templates, free checklist PDF, blog guides, and frequently asked questions.

Recent changes

HB 1217 (2024) introduced statewide rent cap, 90-day notice, first-12-month prohibition; 12-year CO exemption; 2040 sunset

Quick reference

Washington rules at a glance.

Deposit cap: No statewide cap
Return deadline: 30 days with written retention statement
Late fee cap: No statewide cap
Pay-or-quit notice: 14 days (RCW 59.12.030)
Month-to-month termination: 90 days notice for any rent increase (RCW 59.18.140, HB 1217)
Rent cap: CPI + 7% or 10% max (RCW 59.18.700 series, HB 1217)

Templates, $29 each

Washington documents.

Residential lease

$29 signature-ready PDF →

Notice to quit

$29 signature-ready PDF →

Rent increase notice

$29 signature-ready PDF →

Move-out checklist

$29 signature-ready PDF →

Free calculators

Answer questions for free before the PDF.

Deep-dive articles

Written for Washington landlords.

Common questions

Washington landlord FAQ.

Top Washington cities

Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue. Local ordinances in major cities can add stricter rules (especially rent control, just-cause eviction, and inspection requirements). Always check the city code in addition to the state statute.

Honest limits

This is a quick reference, not legal advice. Washington landlord-tenant law changes year to year. Always verify the current statute text and any local ordinances before relying on this page for a specific dispute. For contested cases, consult a Washington-licensed attorney.

State-specific answers

What landlords ask about WA

What is the security deposit cap in Washington?: Washington does not have a statewide statutory cap on the security deposit amount. Local ordinances in specific cities may impose caps. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Washington?: Washington requires the landlord to return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of the tenant vacating. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq.. Missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold any portion of the deposit and, in some states, expose the landlord to double or treble damages.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Washington?: Washington requires 90 days of advance written notice for a rent increase. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
What is the late fee cap in Washington?: Washington does not impose a specific statutory percentage cap on late fees. Courts generally require the fee to be reasonable and tied to the landlord's actual damages. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
How many days is the pay-or-quit notice in Washington?: Washington requires a 14-day pay-or-quit notice before an unlawful detainer or eviction filing can be initiated for non-payment of rent. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
How much notice terminates a month-to-month tenancy in Washington?: Washington requires 20 days of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
What mandatory disclosures does Washington require in a lease?: Washington leases must include these disclosures: Federal lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 units); Mold disclosure (Rev. Code Wash. § 59.18.060(13)); Fire safety and protection disclosure; Move-in checklist required if deposit collected (Rev. Code Wash. § 59.18.260); HB 1217 rent cap notice (effective 2025-05-07). Missing a required disclosure can invalidate the lease's enforceability on that point and sometimes on the lease as a whole. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
Which Washington statute governs landlord-tenant law?: Washington HB 1217 (effective May 7, 2025) amends RCW 59.18.140 to require 90 days written notice for any rent increase, and creates a new RCW 59.18.700 series that prohibits any rent increase during the first twelve months of tenancy and caps annual rent increases for covered residential tenancies at the lesser of (CPI plus seven percent) or ten percent per twelve-month period. Buildings within the first twelve years of certificate of occupancy are exempt from the rent cap; the statewide program itself sunsets July 1, 2040. Seattle imposes just-cause eviction protections under SMC 22.206.160. The 2023 Residential Landlord Tenant Act amendments expanded tenant protections significantly. The primary citation used across LeaseKit templates for this state is: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..

Washington landlord-tenant law.

Recent changes

HB 1217 (2024) introduced statewide rent cap, 90-day notice, first-12-month prohibition; 12-year CO exemption; 2040 sunset

Quick reference

Washington rules at a glance.

Deposit cap: No statewide cap
Return deadline: 30 days with written retention statement
Late fee cap: No statewide cap
Pay-or-quit notice: 14 days (RCW 59.12.030)
Month-to-month termination: 90 days notice for any rent increase (RCW 59.18.140, HB 1217)
Rent cap: CPI + 7% or 10% max (RCW 59.18.700 series, HB 1217)

Top Washington cities

Honest limits

State-specific answers

What landlords ask about WA

What is the security deposit cap in Washington?: Washington does not have a statewide statutory cap on the security deposit amount. Local ordinances in specific cities may impose caps. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Washington?: Washington requires the landlord to return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of the tenant vacating. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq.. Missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold any portion of the deposit and, in some states, expose the landlord to double or treble damages.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Washington?: Washington requires 90 days of advance written notice for a rent increase. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
What is the late fee cap in Washington?: Washington does not impose a specific statutory percentage cap on late fees. Courts generally require the fee to be reasonable and tied to the landlord's actual damages. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
How many days is the pay-or-quit notice in Washington?: Washington requires a 14-day pay-or-quit notice before an unlawful detainer or eviction filing can be initiated for non-payment of rent. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
How much notice terminates a month-to-month tenancy in Washington?: Washington requires 20 days of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
What mandatory disclosures does Washington require in a lease?: Washington leases must include these disclosures: Federal lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 units); Mold disclosure (Rev. Code Wash. § 59.18.060(13)); Fire safety and protection disclosure; Move-in checklist required if deposit collected (Rev. Code Wash. § 59.18.260); HB 1217 rent cap notice (effective 2025-05-07). Missing a required disclosure can invalidate the lease's enforceability on that point and sometimes on the lease as a whole. Reference: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..
Which Washington statute governs landlord-tenant law?: Washington HB 1217 (effective May 7, 2025) amends RCW 59.18.140 to require 90 days written notice for any rent increase, and creates a new RCW 59.18.700 series that prohibits any rent increase during the first twelve months of tenancy and caps annual rent increases for covered residential tenancies at the lesser of (CPI plus seven percent) or ten percent per twelve-month period. Buildings within the first twelve years of certificate of occupancy are exempt from the rent cap; the statewide program itself sunsets July 1, 2040. Seattle imposes just-cause eviction protections under SMC 22.206.160. The 2023 Residential Landlord Tenant Act amendments expanded tenant protections significantly. The primary citation used across LeaseKit templates for this state is: Rev. Code Wash. §§ 59.18 et seq..