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WA · State profile
Washington landlord rules
1 of 10 values below carries a source-confirmed statute citation. The rest are conservative reference values from Aptoria's compliance data and are labeled unverified.
Late fee capped at greater of $75 or 1.5% of monthly rent. 60-day rent increase notice; longer if subsidized.
Deposits, fees, and notices
Security deposit limit
Unverified reference value
No statewide cap
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Deposit return deadline
Source-confirmed 2026-07
Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, give a full, specific written statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit (with copies of estimates/invoices substantiating charges) and return the balance. (Extended from 21 to 30 days by HB 1074, effective July 23, 2023.) Intentional refusal exposes the landlord to up to twice the deposit.
RCW 59.18.280. Washington State Legislature (official) ↗
Reference value on file: 21 days after move-out
Late fees
Unverified reference value
Capped at $75; 5 days grace
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Rent-increase notice
Unverified reference value
60 days
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Month-to-month termination notice
Unverified reference value
20 days
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Pay-or-quit notice
Unverified reference value
14 days
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Non-emergency entry notice
Unverified reference value
48 hours
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Application fee limit
Unverified reference value
No statewide cap
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Statewide rent regulation
Unverified reference value
No statewide rent regulation (check local ordinances)
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Separate pet deposit
Unverified reference value
Permitted
No verified statutory citation on file. Confirm with the current statute.
Payments, fair housing, and licensing
Card surcharges on rent
Allowed within card-network limits
Returned-payment (NSF) fee
No statewide statutory cap on file
Source-of-income protection
Protected statewide
Local ordinances can extend protection beyond the statewide rule.
Property-management licensing
License generally required to manage for others
State real estate broker license required for property management for others — confirm with state commission.
Washington next to its neighbors
Own units on both sides of a state line? These are the same reference values for every bordering jurisdiction. Open a state to see its citations.
| Rule | Washington | Idaho | Oregon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit | No statewide cap | No statewide cap | No statewide cap |
| Deposit return deadline | 21 days after move-out | 21 days after move-out | 31 days after move-out |
| Late fees | Capped at $75; 5 days grace | No statewide cap (reasonableness standard) | No statewide cap (reasonableness standard); 4 days grace |
| Rent-increase notice | 60 days | 30 days | 90 days |
| Non-emergency entry notice | 48 hours | Reasonable notice | 24 hours |
| Pay-or-quit notice | 14 days | 3 days | 10 days |
| Source-of-income protection | Protected statewide | No statewide protection on file | Protected statewide |
| Card surcharges on rent | Allowed within card-network limits | Allowed within card-network limits | Allowed within card-network limits |
Lease disclosures on file
• Lead-based paint hazards (pre-1978 housing) — EPA Pamphlet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home"
• Mold disclosure
• Fire safety + emergency notice
• Voter registration packet (RCW 59.18.090)
• Seattle: Rental Agreement Regulation Ordinance (SMC 7.24)
Run the numbers
Security deposit calculator
Late fee calculator
Rent increase calculator
Move-in / move-out inspection checklist
Educational information only, not legal advice. Laws, local ordinances, court interpretations, and the facts of a tenancy can change the result. Verify the current binding text and obtain advice from a qualified local professional before acting.