Washington Rent Increase Law
Washington requires at least 90 days' notice before a rent increase takes effect, and longer notice in some cases. Washington also limits rent increases for covered units statewide.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Washington rent increase rules at a glance
| Notice of a rent increase | 90 days (30 days for subsidized tenancies where rent is based on tenant income. Notice must use the statutory 'Rent and Fee Increase Notice' form (RCW 59.18.720) and cannot take effect before the end of a fixed term. Local: Seattle 180 days; Tacoma and Bellingham 120 days)RCW 59.18.140(3), RCW 59.18.720 |
|---|---|
| Rent control | Statewide limitRCW 59.18.700, RCW 59.18.710, RCW 35.21.830 |
| Ending a month-to-month tenancy | Landlord 90 days · tenant 20 daysRCW 59.18.650, RCW 59.18.200, RCW 59.12.030(2) |
Notice of a rent increase
- In effect since .
- Before : 60 days' written notice (ESHB 1440, Laws of 2019, ch. 105, effective July 28, 2019; 30 days before that). Changed to 90 days by EHB 1217 (Laws of 2025, ch. 209).
Rent control
- In effect since .
Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- In effect since .
What Washington law says
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Washington?
Give at least 90 days' prior written notice of any rent increase on the state form, and the increase cannot take effect before the lease term ends (RCW 59.18.140(3); RCW 59.18.720).
Does Washington have rent control?
Landlords may not raise rent during the first 12 months of a tenancy or by more than 7% plus CPI or 10% (whichever is less; 9.683% for 2026 and 10% for 2027 per Commerce) in any 12-month period unless an exemption such as a building under 12 years old applies, and cities are barred from adopting their own rent control (RCW 59.18.700-.710; RCW 35.21.830).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Washington?
A landlord cannot end a month-to-month tenancy without one of the just causes listed in RCW 59.18.650, and the notice depends on the cause (for example 90 days for owner move-in or sale of a single-family home, 120 days for demolition or conversion), while a tenant may end it with 20 days' written notice before the end of a rental period (RCW 59.18.650; RCW 59.18.200(1)).
How Washington compares
No verified jurisdiction requires more than 90 days.
Oregon follows the same rule as Washington; 1 of its 2 neighbors differs.
Local rules in Washington
Several cities add stricter rules on top of state law: Seattle caps the security deposit plus move-in fees at one month's rent (move-in fees ≤10% of first month's rent, pet deposit ≤25%), caps late fees at $10/month (SMC 7.24.034), and requires 180 days' notice of rent increases; Tacoma and Bellingham require 120 days' notice of rent increases. Other cities (e.g., Burien, Federal Way, Kenmore, Redmond, Spokane, King County unincorporated) have their own ordinances — check the city code. State law preempts city rent control (RCW 35.21.830), but the statewide rent-increase cap (RCW 59.18.700) applies everywhere.
Other Washington rules
| Security deposit limit | No state capRCW 59.18.610, RCW 59.18.260 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after move-outRCW 59.18.280(1) |
| Late-fee cap | No state capRCW 59.18.170 |
| Entry notice | 48 hours' noticeRCW 59.18.150(5)-(6) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | 14 days (14-day notice to pay rent or vacate the premises)RCW 59.12.030(3), RCW 59.18.057, RCW 59.18.650(2)(a) |
Read the Washington law
Put the rent and renewal terms in writing
Related
- Washington lease agreement
- Washington landlord-tenant law
- Rent increase laws in every state
- Washington notice to vacate
- Washington late rent notice
- Washington rent increase notice
- Washington security deposit return letter
- Washington notice of entry
- Washington lease termination letter
- Washington lease renewal letter