At a Glance
| Question | Answer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit? | No statutory limit | No state law caps the amount |
| Rent control? | No (statewide preemption) | State law preempts local rent control, though bills have been proposed |
| Required notice to raise rent? | 60 days | Written notice required for month-to-month tenancies |
| Lease required in writing? | No | Oral leases are enforceable, but written leases are recommended |
| Landlord entry notice? | 2 days (48 hours) | Must provide at least 48 hours' written notice |
Security Deposits
Washington does not impose a statutory limit on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. However, landlords must follow specific rules regarding the handling and return of deposits.
Landlords are required to provide a written checklist describing the condition and cleanliness of the unit at the time of move-in, and tenants must be given the opportunity to inspect the unit alongside the landlord. The deposit must be held in a trust account at a bank or escrow company regulated by Washington state, and the landlord must provide the tenant with a written receipt identifying the account location.
Landlords must return the deposit within 21 days of the tenant vacating the unit, along with a written statement of the basis for any deductions.
cite: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.260
Eviction Procedures
Washington requires landlords to follow specific legal procedures to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal.
Notice Requirements
- 14-Day Notice: For nonpayment of rent (tenant must pay within 14 days or vacate)
- 10-Day Notice: For lease violations (tenant may cure the violation within 10 days)
- 3-Day Notice: For waste, nuisance, or unlawful activity
- 20-Day Notice: For no-cause termination of month-to-month tenancies
Just Cause Eviction
While Washington does not have a statewide just cause eviction requirement, several cities have enacted local ordinances. Seattle and Tacoma both require landlords to have just cause before terminating a tenancy. In Seattle, just cause includes nonpayment of rent, lease violations, owner move-in, substantial rehabilitation, and demolition, among others.
cite: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.650
Rent Control
Washington does not have statewide rent control. In fact, state law preempts local governments from enacting rent control ordinances (Wash. Rev. Code § 35.21.830). Several legislative proposals to repeal this preemption have been introduced in recent years but have not been enacted.
Landlords must provide at least 60 days' written notice before increasing rent on a month-to-month tenancy. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be increased during the lease term unless the lease specifically allows it.
cite: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.140
Lease Agreements
Washington does not require leases to be in writing, though written leases are strongly encouraged. Oral agreements are enforceable for month-to-month tenancies. Leases longer than one year must be in writing under the Statute of Frauds.
Required Disclosures
Washington landlords must provide the following disclosures:
- Lead-based paint (pre-1978 properties)
- Move-in checklist: Written description of the unit's condition at move-in
- Deposit account: Location of the financial institution holding the security deposit
- Mold: Disclosure of known mold issues in the unit
- Fire safety and protection: Information on smoke detectors and fire safety measures
- Landlord contact information: Name and address for receiving notices and service of process
cite: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.060
Tenant Rights
Washington provides broad protections for tenants:
- Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in habitable condition, including working plumbing, heating, electricity, weatherproofing, and structural integrity
- Retaliation protection: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their legal rights, including reporting code violations or joining a tenant organization
- Discrimination protection: Washington Law Against Discrimination prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran/military status
- Right to privacy: Landlords must provide at least 48 hours' notice before entering a tenant's unit, except in emergencies
- Repair and deduct: Tenants may make necessary repairs and deduct the cost from rent (up to one month's rent) if the landlord fails to address habitability issues within a reasonable time after written notice