Rent increases in Washington

At least 90 days' written notice before any rent increase, on the state form (RCW 59.18.720), served as RCW 59.12.040 allows (in person, or left with a suitable person or posted plus mailed). The increase can't take effect before the end of the rental agreement term (for month-to-month, the end of a month). Subsidized tenancies where rent is based on income need only 30 days. (RCW 59.18.140(3))

• The notice must be in writing.
• The change can only start at the end of a rental period (on a rent day).

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Washington rule above:

• For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12% or a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Monday, February 1, 2027

Rent (including recurring and periodic charges) can rise at most 7% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less, in any 12-month period, and not at all in the first 12 months of a tenancy. Commerce publishes the figure each year: 9.683% for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026 and 10% for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2027. Rent can be reset by any amount after a tenant moves out. The law expires July 1, 2040. (RCW 59.18.700–.710)

Formula:

7% plus CPI (June 12-month change, Seattle-area CPI-U), but never more than 10%

2026 maximum:

9.683% (WA Dept. of Commerce)

2027 maximum:

10% (WA Dept. of Commerce)

Not covered:

Units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 years old or newer at the notice date; units owned by public housing or public development authorities or rent-regulated nonprofits; qualifying low-income and tax-credit housing; tenant shares a kitchen or bath with the owner; owner-occupied single-family home renting no more than two units or bedrooms (incl. ADU); owner-occupied duplex to fourplex. The owner-occupancy exemptions don't apply to REITs, corporations, or LLCs with a corporate member.

How often:

No increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy; after that, total increases in any 12-month period may not exceed the cap

A rent increase may not take effect before the completion of the term of the rental agreement. (RCW 59.18.140(3)(a))

Cities and towns may not enact or enforce ordinances that regulate the amount of rent for private residential rental property (public or low-income housing agreements excepted). (RCW 35.21.830)

• Seattle: Landlords must give 180 days' written notice before raising periodic or monthly housing costs, and may not raise them if the unit fails the rental registration and inspection checklist. An increase of 10% or more within 12 months triggers economic displacement relocation assistance (EDRA) for income-eligible tenants, and the EDRA notice must be attached.

A landlord may not raise rent in reprisal for a tenant's good-faith complaint to a government authority about code violations or for asserting rights under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. An increase within 90 days after such an act (or a resulting government inspection or proceeding) is presumed retaliatory, but no presumption arises if the rent-increase notice states reasonable grounds for the increase. (RCW 59.18.240–.250)

• "Rent" for the cap and notice includes all recurring and periodic charges for use and occupancy (state notice form, RCW 59.18.720).
• If the increase is above the cap and not exempt, the tenant may demand a cure in writing and may end the tenancy with at least 20 days' written notice before the increase takes effect, owing rent only for the month they leave; the AG can seek penalties up to $7,500 per violation (RCW 59.18.700(3), (5)).
• A landlord may not charge more than 5% more for one lease type (e.g. month-to-month) than another for the same unit (RCW 59.18.700(4)).
• Subsidized tenancies with income-based rent: 30 days' written notice (RCW 59.18.140(3)(b)).
• RCW 59.12.040's extra 5 days for mailed notice applies only before an eviction lawsuit can start, not to rent-increase timing.
• Manufactured/mobile home lot rents fall under a separate law (chapter 59.20 RCW) with its own Commerce notice form.

Security deposit

No statewide limit. Holding fees are capped at 25% of the first month's rent (RCW 59.18.253(3)). Return deadline: 30 days (see details).

Tenant's notice to move out

20 days, ending with a rental period

Notice for unpaid rent

14 days (pay or move out)

How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)

Personal delivery; or, if the tenant is absent, leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion at the premises AND mailing a copy; or, if no such person can be found, posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the premises AND mailing a copy to the tenant at the premises (RCW 59.12.040). The notice must state the date by which the tenant must vacate or comply.

Notice for other lease violations

10 days (fix it or move out)

Small claims court limit

$10,000 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.

Repairs

Time to repair: 10 days; urgent: 24 hours. Repair and deduct: allowed with limits; withholding rent: not allowed.

Deposit kept wrongly

Missing the 30-day deadline makes the landlord liable for the full deposit and bars most defenses. The court may award up to two times the deposit for intentional refusal. The prevailing party gets costs and attorneys' fees (RCW 59.18.280(2)).

Lawful reasons to end a lease early

Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; Military service (state law); Unit unlivable or landlord fails to repair; Other; Landlord harassment or illegal entry

• RCW 59.18.140 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• RCW 59.18.700 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• RCW 59.18.710 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• RCW 59.18.720 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• RCW 59.18.240 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• RCW 59.18.250 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• RCW 59.12.040 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• RCW 35.21.830 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• WA Dept. of Commerce — HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center (2026 and 2027 maximums) Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Seattle SDCI — Housing Cost Increases Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Renting in Seattle — Receiving Notice from Your Landlord Retrieved October 15, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.