Washington Landlord-Tenant Law
The rules for renting in Washington — security deposits, eviction, ending a lease, repairs and rent — with the statute or official page behind every answer.
Quick answers for Washington
- Security deposit limit
- No statutory cap on a residential security deposit. A holding fee/deposit to secure a unit may not exceed 25% of the first month's rent, and tenants may request to pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (3 equal monthly installments for terms of 3 months or more; 2 otherwise). RCW 59.18.260; RCW 59.18.610
- Deposit return deadline
- 30 days after the rental agreement terminates and the tenant vacates (or 30 days after the landlord learns of abandonment). RCW 59.18.280(1)
- Notice for unpaid rent
- 14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057
- Ending a month-to-month lease
- Tenant: written notice of at least 20 days before the end of a rental period. Landlord: may NOT end a month-to-month/periodic tenancy without one of the just causes listed in RCW 59.18.650 (e.g., owner move-in or sale of single-family home: 90 days; legitimate business reason: 60 days). RCW 59.18.200(1); RCW 59.18.650
- Landlord entry notice
- At least two days' written notice stating the exact date(s) and time or a time window, with a phone number for objections; one day's notice to show the unit. No notice required in an emergency or abandonment. RCW 59.18.150(6)
- Rent control / increase limits
- Statewide rent stabilization (HB 1217, 2025 c 209, effective May 7, 2025): no rent increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy, and increases in any 12-month period capped at 7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is less. Commerce-published maximum: 9.683% for calendar 2026 and 10% for calendar 2027. 90 days' written notice of any increase required. Manufactured/mobile home lots: 5% cap. RCW 59.18.700; RCW 59.18.710; RCW 59.18.140(3); 2025 c 209
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Main law: Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) / Unlawful Detainer (RCW 59.12) — RCW 59.18; RCW 59.12
Security Deposits in Washington
| Security deposit limit | No statutory cap on a residential security deposit. A holding fee/deposit to secure a unit may not exceed 25% of the first month's rent, and tenants may request to pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (3 equal monthly installments for terms of 3 months or more; 2 otherwise). Installment right does not apply if deposits + nonrefundable fees total no more than 25% of the first full month's rent and no last month's rent is required. Refusing a valid installment request: statutory penalty of one month's rent plus attorneys' fees. HB 1217 (2025) capped move-in fees + deposits at one month's rent (two with pets) only for manufactured/mobile home lots (RCW 59.20.170), not for RCW 59.18 rentals. A deposit may only be collected if the rental agreement is in writing and a signed move-in condition checklist is provided (RCW 59.18.260). Source: RCW 59.18.260; RCW 59.18.610 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after the rental agreement terminates and the tenant vacates (or 30 days after the landlord learns of abandonment). Most recently amended by 2023 c 331 s 4 (the deadline is 30 days under current text). Delivery may be personal or first-class mail to the tenant's last known address. Source: RCW 59.18.280(1) |
| Itemized deductions | Required: a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit, with supporting documentation (estimates, invoices, receipts; time and hourly rate for landlord's own labor). No deductions for ordinary wear, for carpet cleaning unless wear exceeds ordinary use, or for conditions not documented on the move-in checklist. Source: RCW 59.18.280(1) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required to pay interest to tenant. Deposits must be placed in a trust account, and unless otherwise agreed in writing the landlord is entitled to the interest. Landlord must give a written receipt. Source: RCW 59.18.270 |
| Penalty for withholding | Landlord who fails to provide the statement/documentation within 30 days owes the full deposit and loses the right to assert claims against it; court may award up to two times the deposit for intentional refusal; prevailing party gets costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Collecting a deposit without a move-in checklist makes the landlord liable for the deposit amount (RCW 59.18.260). For tenancies starting on or after July 23, 2023, landlord suits for damages above the deposit must be filed within three years. |
Compare security deposits laws in all 50 states and DC →
Eviction in Washington
| Notice for unpaid rent | 14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. The form (RCW 59.18.057) must itemize rent and recurring charges and include rental assistance, right-to-counsel, mediation and interpreter information. The 3-day period in RCW 59.12.030(3) applies only to non-chapter 59.18 tenancies. Source: RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057 |
|---|---|
| Notice for lease violations | 10-day notice to comply or vacate. Waste, nuisance or unlawful activity: 3-day notice to vacate (RCW 59.18.650(2)(c)). |
| Lockouts & utility shutoffs | Landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant except under a court order; tenant may recover possession or terminate, plus actual damages, costs and attorney's fees. Intentionally terminating a tenant's utility services is unlawful: actual damages plus up to $100 for each day or part of a day without service, plus costs and fees. Lockout section: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.290 Source: RCW 59.18.290; RCW 59.18.300 |
Compare eviction laws in all 50 states and DC →
Notice to Vacate in Washington
| Ending a month-to-month lease | Tenant: written notice of at least 20 days before the end of a rental period. Landlord: may NOT end a month-to-month/periodic tenancy without one of the just causes listed in RCW 59.18.650 (e.g., owner move-in or sale of single-family home: 90 days; legitimate business reason: 60 days). Just-cause eviction law (2021 c 212). Condominium conversion or demolition/substantial rehab/change of use: 120 days' notice (RCW 59.18.200). Wrongful eviction remedy: greater of actual damages or three times monthly rent, plus fees. Source: RCW 59.18.200(1); RCW 59.18.650 |
|---|
Compare notice to vacate laws in all 50 states and DC →
Landlord Entry in Washington
| Landlord entry notice | At least two days' written notice stating the exact date(s) and time or a time window, with a phone number for objections; one day's notice to show the unit. No notice required in an emergency or abandonment. Entry only at reasonable times; landlord may not abuse access to harass the tenant. Source: RCW 59.18.150(6) |
|---|
Compare landlord entry laws in all 50 states and DC →
Repairs & Habitability in Washington
| Repair and deduct | Yes. After written notice and the landlord's failure to start repairs within the statutory period, tenant may (a) hire a licensed/qualified contractor and deduct up to two months' rent per repair (max two months' rent in any 12 months), or (b) make the repair personally and deduct up to one month's rent per repair (max one month's rent in any 12 months). Tenant must be current on rent and utilities before using any RLTA remedy (RCW 59.18.080) and must give notice under RCW 59.18.070; landlord must begin remedial action within 24 hours (no hot/cold water, heat or electricity, or imminently hazardous), 72 hours (landlord-supplied refrigerator, range/oven, or major plumbing fixture), or 10 days (all other cases). Sources: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.070 and https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.080 Source: RCW 59.18.100; RCW 59.18.070 |
|---|---|
| Withholding rent | No general right to withhold rent. Tenant may deposit rent into an escrow account only after a local government official certifies a condition that substantially endangers health or safety and the landlord fails to repair; tenant must notify the landlord within 24 hours of the deposit using the sworn form. Local government must inspect within five days of request. Tenant must first determine in good faith that repair-and-deduct is not feasible. Source: RCW 59.18.115 |
| Retaliation protection | Landlord may not evict, raise rent, reduce services or increase obligations (or threaten to) in retaliation for good-faith complaints to a government authority about code violations or for asserting rights under RCW 59.18. Action within 90 days after the protected act (or a resulting inspection/proceeding) is presumed retaliatory. Presumption is rebuttable and does not arise if tenant is in rent arrears when a termination notice is given. Prevailing party recovers costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Source: RCW 59.18.240; RCW 59.18.250 |
Compare repairs & habitability laws in all 50 states and DC →
Rent Increases & Late Fees in Washington
| Rent control / increase limits | Statewide rent stabilization (HB 1217, 2025 c 209, effective May 7, 2025): no rent increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy, and increases in any 12-month period capped at 7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is less. Commerce-published maximum: 9.683% for calendar 2026 and 10% for calendar 2027. 90 days' written notice of any increase required. Manufactured/mobile home lots: 5% cap. Exemptions (RCW 59.18.710) include buildings whose first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 or fewer years before the increase notice, certain public/nonprofit and tax-credit housing, and some owner-occupied single-family homes/ADUs and owner-occupied duplex-fourplexes (not if owned by a REIT, corporation, or LLC with a corporate member). Remedies: excess rent plus up to three months of unlawful rent, fees; AG civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation. Tenant may terminate on 20 days' notice before an unlawful increase takes effect. Lease-type parity: no more than 5% rent difference between month-to-month and term leases. Expires July 1, 2040. Local rent control still preempted by RCW 35.21.830 (cities/towns). 2026/2027 figures from Commerce HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center (https://www.commerce.wa.gov/housing-policy/hb1217-landlord-resource-center/). |
|---|---|
| Late fees | No statutory dollar or percentage cap for RCW 59.18 rentals. No late fee may be charged for rent paid within five days of the due date. Tenants whose primary income is government assistance may request a due date up to five days later (RCW 59.18.170(3)). HB 1217 (2025) added late-fee caps (2%/3%/5% of monthly rent) only for manufactured/mobile home lots (RCW 59.20.060), not for RCW 59.18 rentals. Source: RCW 59.18.170(2) |
Compare rent increases & late fees laws in all 50 states and DC →
Breaking a Lease in Washington
| Ending a lease: domestic violence | Yes. A tenant who notifies the landlord in writing that the tenant or a household member was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking, and provides a copy of a valid protection order or a written record of a report signed by a qualified third party (statutory form), may terminate and quit without further obligation; the request must be within 90 days of the incident. Rent is owed through the end of the month of the quitting date (unless 20 days' notice was given under RCW 59.18.200(1)). The tenant gets the full deposit back notwithstanding early-termination forfeiture clauses (subject to damage deductions). Co-tenants are not released. If the abuser is the landlord, the tenant may leave first and deliver the documentation within 7 days, and may change locks. Screening-report and rental-decision protections for victims are in RCW 59.18.580. Source: RCW 59.18.575 |
|---|---|
| Ending a lease: military, medical, death | Military: a tenant in the armed forces (including National Guard and reserves), or the tenant's spouse or dependent, may end a fixed-term tenancy on permanent change of station or deployment orders with 20+ days' written notice and a copy of orders or a commanding officer's letter showing a qualifying move (e.g., PCS 35+ miles away, discharge, orders to government housing, 90+ day orders 35+ miles away); month-to-month tenants may give less than 20 days if orders do not allow it. Tenant death: when a sole occupant dies, the landlord must notify contacts and the tenancy ends 15 days after notice or when paid-through rent runs out, whichever is later (a representative may prepay up to 60 days from death). No statute for medical/disability or senior moves. A tenant may end a fixed-term tenancy at its end with 20 days' written notice (RCW 59.18.650(1)(f)). |
Compare breaking a lease laws in all 50 states and DC →
Squatters & Abandoned Property in Washington
| Squatters / unauthorized occupants | An owner or authorized agent may give police a signed 'Request to Remove Trespasser(s)' declaration under penalty of perjury (statutory form) stating, among other things, that the occupants entered and remain unlawfully, are not and within the last 12 months have not been tenants or owners on title, were told to leave and refused, and that the premises were not abandoned or open to the public when they entered. A peace officer with probable cause of criminal trespass may then remove the persons (with or without arrest) and order them to stay off, but must first give occupants a reasonable opportunity to present credible evidence that they are tenants, legal occupants or their guests. The declarant can be sued for false statements (actual damages, costs, attorney's fees) and false swearing is a gross misdemeanor. Officers may not remove anyone entitled to occupy under a rental agreement; tenants require an unlawful detainer case. Enacted 2017 c 284. The declarant must also acknowledge the RCW 59.18.230 and 59.18.290 bans on self-help and agree to indemnify law enforcement. Source: RCW 9A.52.105; RCW 9A.52.115 |
|---|---|
| Belongings left behind | If the tenant defaults in rent and indicates by words or actions an intent not to return, the landlord may take possession of the tenant's property and store it securely, and must make reasonable efforts (first-class mail to the last known and any other known address) to notify the tenant of where it is stored, the planned sale/disposal date, and the right to reclaim it on payment of the lesser of actual or reasonable moving and storage costs. Sale or disposal may occur 45 days after the notice is mailed or delivered (7 days if the total value is $250 or less, except personal papers, family pictures and keepsakes). Excess sale proceeds are held for the tenant for one year. Separate rules apply to a deceased sole tenant's property (two notices; sale/disposal at least 45 days after the second notice) and to property removed under a writ of restitution. Deceased-tenant procedure: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.595. RCW 59.18.312 (writ of restitution storage and sale) was not separately reviewed. |
Compare squatters & abandoned property laws in all 50 states and DC →
Rental Fees in Washington
| Application / screening fees | No dollar cap, but a landlord may charge for a tenant screening report (or its own actual screening costs, not exceeding the customary cost of a local screening service) only after giving written notice (or posting) of the types of information to be accessed, the criteria that may result in denial, the consumer reporting agency used and the applicant's rights, and whether the landlord accepts a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report. A landlord that accepts reusable reports may not charge the applicant for its own report. Any landlord website must state whether reusable reports are accepted. Adverse actions require a written adverse action notice in the statutory form. Violation of the notice rules: up to $100 plus costs and attorney's fees. Holding fees/deposits to secure a unit may not exceed 25% of the first month's rent (RCW 59.18.610(4)(b); RCW 59.18.253). Source: RCW 59.18.257 |
|---|---|
| Other rental fees | Nonrefundable fees must be in a written rental agreement that clearly says they are nonrefundable; otherwise they are treated as a refundable deposit (or refunded entirely if there is no written agreement), and they may not be called a deposit. On written request, tenants may pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (3 monthly installments for terms of 3+ months, otherwise 2) without extra fees or interest, unless deposits and fees total 25% or less of the first month's rent and last month's rent is not required up front; refusal carries a penalty of one month's rent plus attorney's fees. No late fee may be charged for rent paid within 5 days of the due date. No general convenience/online-payment-fee ban or total-cost-of-rent disclosure statute was found in ch. 59.18. Installment rule text: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.610. |
Compare rental fees laws in all 50 states and DC →
Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel in Washington
| Section 8 / source of income | Yes, statewide. Landlords may not refuse to rent, evict, set different terms or fees, discourage, misrepresent availability, or advertise preferences based on a tenant's source of income, which includes housing assistance (e.g., vouchers), public assistance, emergency rental assistance, veterans benefits, Social Security/SSI and other federal, state, local or nonprofit programs. If an income threshold is used, the voucher/subsidy must be subtracted from the rent before applying it. Narrow exception where the subsidy requires an inspection and repairs would cost more than $1,500 and mitigation funds were not received. Liability up to 4.5 times monthly rent plus costs and attorney's fees. Source: RCW 59.18.255 |
|---|---|
| Eviction record sealing | By court order only (no automatic sealing). A court may order an unlawful detainer action to be of 'limited dissemination' if the landlord's case was sufficiently without basis in fact or law, the tenancy was reinstated under RCW 59.18.410 or other law, or other good cause exists. The order must be in writing. Tenant screening companies may then not disclose the case or use it in any score or recommendation. Source: RCW 59.18.367 |
| Right to a lawyer in eviction | Yes, statewide (2021 c 115). Subject to appropriated funds, the court must appoint an attorney for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer case under chapters 59.18, 59.12 and 59.20 RCW, administered by the Office of Civil Legal Aid. Indigent means receiving specified public assistance (e.g., TANF, SSI, Medicaid, food assistance) or having after-tax income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The statutory 14-day notice form directs tenants to the Eviction Defense Screening Line (RCW 59.18.057). Source: RCW 59.18.640 |
Compare section 8, records & right to counsel laws in all 50 states and DC →
Mold, Pests, Heat & AC in Washington
| Mold | Disclosure required: the landlord must give tenants information provided or approved by the Department of Health about the health hazards of indoor mold and how tenants can control mold growth, either in writing to each tenant or posted in a visible public location on the property. The landlord is immune from civil liability for failing to do so unless the failure is knowing and intentional. There is no mold-specific remediation standard; mold is handled under the landlord's general duty to keep the premises fit for habitation, comply with health and safety codes and make repairs. Mold disclosure was added in 2005 (2005 c 465). Local housing codes may contain additional standards. |
|---|---|
| Pests & bed bugs | The landlord must provide a reasonable program for the control of insects, rodents and other pests at the start of the tenancy and, except in a single-family residence, must control infestation during the tenancy unless the tenant caused it. No bed-bug-specific statute (no disclosure or inspection rule). The tenant must pay all extermination and fumigation costs for an infestation the tenant caused. In a single-family residence, pest control during the tenancy is not a statutory landlord duty (the lease may assign it). Source: RCW 59.18.060(4); 59.18.130(2) |
| Heat | Yes. The landlord must provide facilities adequate to supply heat (and water and hot water) as reasonably required by the tenant, and keep heating facilities it supplies in reasonably good working order. After notice, a defect depriving the tenant of heat must be remedied within 24 hours (where possible). State law sets no minimum indoor temperature or heating season. Some cities (for example, Seattle) set minimum temperatures by ordinance. It is unlawful for a landlord to intentionally cause termination of a tenant's heat or other utilities except for repairs (RCW 59.18.300). |
| Air conditioning | No duty to provide air conditioning and no maximum indoor temperature. Since 2026, a landlord generally may not prohibit or restrict a tenant from installing a portable cooling device (air conditioner or portable heat pump) and may not charge a fee for its use, inspection or installation. Exceptions: the unit already has a permanent, fully operational heat pump; installation would violate codes or manufacturer safety guidelines, cause unreasonable damage, or exceed the electrical supply; and window units may be restricted for egress, lock, mounting, security or written insurance-policy reasons (which must be disclosed in the lease). The tenant must give 2 days' notice before installing a window unit. Also, a landlord may not cut off electric or water service for nonpayment on a day the National Weather Service has issued a heat-related alert for the area. RCW 59.18.740 was enacted by Laws of 2026, ch. 184. The landlord is immune from liability for damage or injury caused by a tenant-installed device and may still deduct from the deposit for damage. Source: RCW 59.18.740; 59.18.060(11)(a) |
Compare mold, pests, heat & ac laws in all 50 states and DC →
Privacy, Guests & Animals in Washington
| Cameras & privacy | No landlord camera statute. Washington is an all-party consent state: recording a private conversation or private communication without the consent of all participants is unlawful. Voyeurism laws make it a crime to knowingly view, photograph or film a person without knowledge and consent in a place where the person would reasonably expect privacy. New smart-access-system rules (effective Jan. 1, 2027) limit the data a landlord's electronic/biometric entry system may collect, require a written privacy policy (including what data on guests is collected), and require a non-biometric, non-phone alternative key on request. Voyeurism text: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.44.115. Smart access provisions: Laws of 2026, ch. 55. Landlord entry generally requires 2 days' notice (RCW 59.18.150). |
|---|---|
| Guests & occupants | No statute on guest limits or occupancy caps — the state landlord-tenant act does not define when a guest becomes a tenant; the rental agreement governs, subject to local occupancy codes and fair-housing rules. The tenant must follow reasonable rules and may not let family members, invitees or others damage the premises. Remaining-occupant rule: when a tenant permanently leaves (other than because the landlord ended the tenancy), the landlord must serve any occupant who lived there with the tenant for at least the prior six months a notice to apply to join the rental agreement or vacate within 30 days; the landlord may apply its normal screening criteria. |
| Service & support animals (state law) | The Washington Law Against Discrimination prohibits housing discrimination based on disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, and requires reasonable accommodation in rules and policies. Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal or service-animal trainee (knowing or having reason to know it does not qualify) to secure disability rights is a civil infraction. No state statute sets emotional-support-animal documentation rules or pet-fee limits. RCW 49.60.214 was amended in 2024 (2024 c 161). Housing provision text: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.60.222. Emotional support animals may be a reasonable accommodation under the federal Fair Housing Act. Source: RCW 49.60.222; 49.60.214 |
Compare privacy, guests & animals laws in all 50 states and DC →
How eviction works in Washington
Eviction cases are heard in: Superior court of the county where the property is located (unlawful detainer).
- Serve the required notice (14-day pay-or-vacate in statutory form, 10-day comply-or-vacate, or other just-cause notice under RCW 59.18.650)
- Serve the eviction summons (statutory form, RCW 59.18.365) and complaint; tenant must respond in writing by the deadline in the summons
- Court issues an order to show cause; show cause hearing held not less than 7 nor more than 30 days after service of the order (RCW 59.18.370)
- Judgment for possession / writ of restitution; in nonpayment cases execution is delayed five court days and the tenant may be reinstated by paying the judgment amount (RCW 59.18.410)
- Sheriff serves and executes the writ of restitution; tenant may request storage of property within three days after service of the writ (RCW 59.18.312)
Tenant's written response is due by the date stated in the summons; show cause hearing is 7-30 days after service of the show cause order. Low-income tenants have a right to appointed counsel.
Source: RCW 59.18.365; RCW 59.18.370; RCW 59.18.410; RCW 59.18.312
What surprises people about Washington rental law
- Statewide rent cap since May 7, 2025: lesser of 7% + CPI or 10%; 9.683% for 2026 and 10% for 2027, and no increase at all during the first 12 months of a tenancy (RCW 59.18.700; WA Dept. of Commerce HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center)
- Landlords cannot end a month-to-month tenancy without a statutory just cause (RCW 59.18.650)
- A landlord who charges a deposit without a signed move-in checklist is liable for the full deposit (RCW 59.18.260)
- Tenants can demand to pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments; refusal triggers a penalty of one month's rent (RCW 59.18.610)
- Eviction summons and 14-day notice must use statutory forms that tell tenants about free counsel for low-income renters (RCW 59.18.057; RCW 59.18.365)
- Rent increases need 90 days' written notice (RCW 59.18.140(3))
Federal law that also applies in Washington
These federal rules apply on top of Washington law, mostly to discrimination, servicemembers, survivors and federally assisted housing:
- Fair Housing Act: protected classes, covered housing and exemptions: Save every listing, text and email. A discriminatory ad is illegal even when the landlord's unit is otherwise exempt. More
- Assistance animals (service and emotional support animals) in housing: Ask for the accommodation in writing, keep a copy, and if a disability or the need for the animal is not obvious, offer reliable documentation of it. More
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: ending a lease early: Deliver the notice and orders by a method you can prove, such as certified mail with return receipt, and keep copies. More
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: eviction protection: Tell the court in writing that you or your spouse are on active duty and ask for an SCRA stay. More
- VAWA housing protections: Ask the landlord or housing authority for its VAWA emergency transfer plan and request a transfer in writing. More
- CARES Act 30-day notice to vacate (covered dwellings): If your building has a federally backed mortgage or federal subsidy and you received less than 30 days' notice to vacate, raise the CARES Act as a defense. More
- HUD 30-day nonpayment notice (public housing and project-based Section 8): If you pay the full amount listed in the notice within 30 days, the landlord cannot file for eviction over that rent. More
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) basics for private landlords: If a voucher landlord asks for 'side payments' above your share of the rent, refuse and report it to your PHA. More
- Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 housing): If your pre-1978 lease came with no lead disclosure form and pamphlet, ask for them in writing before signing. More
- FCRA tenant screening: adverse action notices and disputes: Request your free report from the screening company within 60 days of a denial and dispute any errors in writing with supporting documents. More
- Rental 'junk fee' rulemaking and enforcement (FTC/CFPB): Before paying an application fee, ask in writing for the total monthly cost including every mandatory fee. More
- Federal eviction moratoria: Check your state and city rules, since any eviction pause now comes from local, not federal, law. More
City rules in Washington
These cities add their own tenant protections on top of state law:
Eviction by county in Washington
Which court hears evictions, filing fees, local rent levels and help:
- Eviction in King County (Seattle)
- Eviction in Pierce County (Tacoma)
- Eviction in Snohomish County (Everett)
- Eviction in Spokane County (Spokane)
- Eviction in Clark County (Vancouver)
- Eviction in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)
- Eviction in Whatcom County (Bellingham)
- Eviction in Yakima County (Yakima)
- Eviction in Kitsap County (Bremerton, Port Orchard)
For landlords
How to evict a tenant in Washington — steps, cost, timeline and forms.
Common Washington questions
- Can a landlord enter without notice or permission?
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- Can a landlord evict you without going to court, change the locks or shut off utilities?
- Can I withhold rent for repairs?
- How long does an eviction take?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before an eviction?
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give to end a lease or not renew?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- How long does a landlord have to sue for unpaid rent or damages?
- Can a landlord accept rent during an eviction?
- Can you be evicted in the winter?
- Can a landlord give an eviction notice by text or email?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Does a landlord have to give you a copy of the lease?
- What happens to tenants if the landlord goes into foreclosure?
- How long does a landlord have to keep a tenant's belongings?
- How do you remove a squatter?
- How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee?
- What rental fees are illegal (junk fees)?
- Can I break my lease because of domestic violence?
- Can I break my lease for military orders, medical reasons or a death?
- Can a landlord refuse Section 8?
- Can an eviction be removed from your record?
- Do tenants get a free lawyer for an eviction?
- What are my rights without a written lease?
- Does a landlord have to fix mold?
- Who pays for pest control and bed bugs in a rental?
- Does a landlord have to provide heat?
- Does a landlord have to provide air conditioning?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
- Can a landlord put cameras in or around a rental?
- Can a landlord limit overnight guests or roommates?
- Can a landlord deny a service or emotional support animal?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
Free calculators
- Notice Deadline Calculator
- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator
- Late Fee Checker
- Rent Increase Calculator
How Washington compares to neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Notice for unpaid rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | No statutory cap on a residential security deposit. A holding fee/deposit to secure a unit may not exceed 25% of the first month's rent, and tenants may request to pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (3 equal monthly installments for terms of 3 months or more; 2 otherwise). RCW 59.18.260; RCW 59.18.610 | 30 days after the rental agreement terminates and the tenant vacates (or 30 days after the landlord learns of abandonment). RCW 59.18.280(1) | 14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057 |
| Idaho | No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. Idaho Code § 6-321 | 21 days after the tenant surrenders the premises if the lease sets no time; the lease may set a different period but never more than 30 days. Idaho Code § 6-321 | 3 days' written notice demanding payment of the amount due or possession. The notice must state the amount due and the tenant's post-judgment removal period (72 hours for residential tenants). Notice may be served within one year after rent is due. Idaho Code § 6-303(2) |
| Oregon | No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. ORS 90.300 | 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession. ORS 90.300(12)-(13) | Week-to-week: at least 72 hours' written notice, served no sooner than the 5th day of the rental period. Other tenancies: either at least 10 days' notice served no sooner than the 8th day of the rental period, or at least 13 days' notice served no sooner than the 5th day. Notice must state the amount due and the deadline to pay. ORS 90.394 |
Washington landlord-tenant FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Washington?
No statutory cap on a residential security deposit. A holding fee/deposit to secure a unit may not exceed 25% of the first month's rent, and tenants may request to pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (3 equal monthly installments for terms of 3 months or more; 2 otherwise). (RCW 59.18.260; RCW 59.18.610)
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Washington?
30 days after the rental agreement terminates and the tenant vacates (or 30 days after the landlord learns of abandonment). (RCW 59.18.280(1))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Washington?
Not required to pay interest to tenant. Deposits must be placed in a trust account, and unless otherwise agreed in writing the landlord is entitled to the interest. Landlord must give a written receipt. (RCW 59.18.270)
Does a landlord in Washington have to give an itemized list of deposit deductions?
Required: a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit, with supporting documentation (estimates, invoices, receipts; time and hourly rate for landlord's own labor). No deductions for ordinary wear, for carpet cleaning unless wear exceeds ordinary use, or for conditions not documented on the move-in checklist. (RCW 59.18.280(1))
What happens if a landlord in Washington wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
Landlord who fails to provide the statement/documentation within 30 days owes the full deposit and loses the right to assert claims against it; court may award up to two times the deposit for intentional refusal; prevailing party gets costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. (RCW 59.18.280(2)-(3); RCW 59.18.260)
How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Washington?
14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. (RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057)
How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in Washington?
10-day notice to comply or vacate. (RCW 59.12.030(4); RCW 59.18.650(2)(b))
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in Washington?
Tenant: written notice of at least 20 days before the end of a rental period. Landlord: may NOT end a month-to-month/periodic tenancy without one of the just causes listed in RCW 59.18.650 (e.g., owner move-in or sale of single-family home: 90 days; legitimate business reason: 60 days). (RCW 59.18.200(1); RCW 59.18.650)
Can a landlord enter without notice in Washington?
At least two days' written notice stating the exact date(s) and time or a time window, with a phone number for objections; one day's notice to show the unit. No notice required in an emergency or abandonment. (RCW 59.18.150(6))
Is there a limit on late fees in Washington?
No statutory dollar or percentage cap for RCW 59.18 rentals. No late fee may be charged for rent paid within five days of the due date. (RCW 59.18.170(2))
Can a tenant repair and deduct from rent in Washington?
Yes. After written notice and the landlord's failure to start repairs within the statutory period, tenant may (a) hire a licensed/qualified contractor and deduct up to two months' rent per repair (max two months' rent in any 12 months), or (b) make the repair personally and deduct up to one month's rent per repair (max one month's rent in any 12 months). (RCW 59.18.100; RCW 59.18.070)
Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Washington?
No general right to withhold rent. Tenant may deposit rent into an escrow account only after a local government official certifies a condition that substantially endangers health or safety and the landlord fails to repair; tenant must notify the landlord within 24 hours of the deposit using the sworn form. (RCW 59.18.115)
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Washington?
Landlord may not evict, raise rent, reduce services or increase obligations (or threaten to) in retaliation for good-faith complaints to a government authority about code violations or for asserting rights under RCW 59.18. Action within 90 days after the protected act (or a resulting inspection/proceeding) is presumed retaliatory. (RCW 59.18.240; RCW 59.18.250)
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in Washington?
Statewide rent stabilization (HB 1217, 2025 c 209, effective May 7, 2025): no rent increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy, and increases in any 12-month period capped at 7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is less. Commerce-published maximum: 9.683% for calendar 2026 and 10% for calendar 2027. 90 days' written notice of any increase required. Manufactured/mobile home lots: 5% cap. (RCW 59.18.700; RCW 59.18.710; RCW 59.18.140(3); 2025 c 209)
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Washington?
Landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant except under a court order; tenant may recover possession or terminate, plus actual damages, costs and attorney's fees. Intentionally terminating a tenant's utility services is unlawful: actual damages plus up to $100 for each day or part of a day without service, plus costs and fees. (RCW 59.18.290; RCW 59.18.300)
What is the small claims court limit in Washington for a deposit dispute?
$10,000 for claims brought by a natural person; $5,000 for all other claimants. (RCW 12.40.010)
How do you remove a squatter in Washington?
An owner or authorized agent may give police a signed 'Request to Remove Trespasser(s)' declaration under penalty of perjury (statutory form) stating, among other things, that the occupants entered and remain unlawfully, are not and within the last 12 months have not been tenants or owners on title, were told to leave and refused, and that the premises were not abandoned or open to the public when they entered. A peace officer with probable cause of criminal trespass may then remove the persons (with or without arrest) and order them to stay off, but must first give occupants a reasonable opportunity to present credible evidence that they are tenants, legal occupants or their guests. The declarant can be sued for false statements (actual damages, costs, attorney's fees) and false swearing is a gross misdemeanor. Officers may not remove anyone entitled to occupy under a rental agreement; tenants require an unlawful detainer case. (RCW 9A.52.105; RCW 9A.52.115)
What can a landlord do with a tenant's abandoned property in Washington?
If the tenant defaults in rent and indicates by words or actions an intent not to return, the landlord may take possession of the tenant's property and store it securely, and must make reasonable efforts (first-class mail to the last known and any other known address) to notify the tenant of where it is stored, the planned sale/disposal date, and the right to reclaim it on payment of the lesser of actual or reasonable moving and storage costs. Sale or disposal may occur 45 days after the notice is mailed or delivered (7 days if the total value is $250 or less, except personal papers, family pictures and keepsakes). Excess sale proceeds are held for the tenant for one year. Separate rules apply to a deceased sole tenant's property (two notices; sale/disposal at least 45 days after the second notice) and to property removed under a writ of restitution. (RCW 59.18.310; RCW 59.18.595; RCW 59.18.312)
Is there a limit on rental application fees in Washington?
No dollar cap, but a landlord may charge for a tenant screening report (or its own actual screening costs, not exceeding the customary cost of a local screening service) only after giving written notice (or posting) of the types of information to be accessed, the criteria that may result in denial, the consumer reporting agency used and the applicant's rights, and whether the landlord accepts a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report. A landlord that accepts reusable reports may not charge the applicant for its own report. Any landlord website must state whether reusable reports are accepted. Adverse actions require a written adverse action notice in the statutory form. Violation of the notice rules: up to $100 plus costs and attorney's fees. (RCW 59.18.257)
What rental fees are banned or limited in Washington?
Nonrefundable fees must be in a written rental agreement that clearly says they are nonrefundable; otherwise they are treated as a refundable deposit (or refunded entirely if there is no written agreement), and they may not be called a deposit. On written request, tenants may pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (3 monthly installments for terms of 3+ months, otherwise 2) without extra fees or interest, unless deposits and fees total 25% or less of the first month's rent and last month's rent is not required up front; refusal carries a penalty of one month's rent plus attorney's fees. No late fee may be charged for rent paid within 5 days of the due date. (RCW 59.18.285; RCW 59.18.610; RCW 59.18.170(2))
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Washington?
Yes. A tenant who notifies the landlord in writing that the tenant or a household member was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking, and provides a copy of a valid protection order or a written record of a report signed by a qualified third party (statutory form), may terminate and quit without further obligation; the request must be within 90 days of the incident. Rent is owed through the end of the month of the quitting date (unless 20 days' notice was given under RCW 59.18.200(1)). The tenant gets the full deposit back notwithstanding early-termination forfeiture clauses (subject to damage deductions). Co-tenants are not released. If the abuser is the landlord, the tenant may leave first and deliver the documentation within 7 days, and may change locks. (RCW 59.18.575)
When can a tenant break a lease without penalty in Washington?
Military: a tenant in the armed forces (including National Guard and reserves), or the tenant's spouse or dependent, may end a fixed-term tenancy on permanent change of station or deployment orders with 20+ days' written notice and a copy of orders or a commanding officer's letter showing a qualifying move (e.g., PCS 35+ miles away, discharge, orders to government housing, 90+ day orders 35+ miles away); month-to-month tenants may give less than 20 days if orders do not allow it. Tenant death: when a sole occupant dies, the landlord must notify contacts and the tenancy ends 15 days after notice or when paid-through rent runs out, whichever is later (a representative may prepay up to 60 days from death). No statute for medical/disability or senior moves. (RCW 59.18.220(2); RCW 59.18.200(1)(b); RCW 59.18.595)
Can an eviction record be sealed or removed in Washington?
By court order only (no automatic sealing). A court may order an unlawful detainer action to be of 'limited dissemination' if the landlord's case was sufficiently without basis in fact or law, the tenancy was reinstated under RCW 59.18.410 or other law, or other good cause exists. The order must be in writing. Tenant screening companies may then not disclose the case or use it in any score or recommendation. (RCW 59.18.367)
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 vouchers in Washington?
Yes, statewide. Landlords may not refuse to rent, evict, set different terms or fees, discourage, misrepresent availability, or advertise preferences based on a tenant's source of income, which includes housing assistance (e.g., vouchers), public assistance, emergency rental assistance, veterans benefits, Social Security/SSI and other federal, state, local or nonprofit programs. If an income threshold is used, the voucher/subsidy must be subtracted from the rent before applying it. Narrow exception where the subsidy requires an inspection and repairs would cost more than $1,500 and mitigation funds were not received. Liability up to 4.5 times monthly rent plus costs and attorney's fees. (RCW 59.18.255)
Do tenants have a right to a free lawyer in eviction cases in Washington?
Yes, statewide (2021 c 115). Subject to appropriated funds, the court must appoint an attorney for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer case under chapters 59.18, 59.12 and 59.20 RCW, administered by the Office of Civil Legal Aid. Indigent means receiving specified public assistance (e.g., TANF, SSI, Medicaid, food assistance) or having after-tax income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. (RCW 59.18.640)
What does a Washington notice to pay rent or quit have to include?
14-day notice to pay or vacate, in substantially the statutory form: names and address; itemized amounts due by month for rent, utilities and other recurring or periodic charges in the lease, and the total; statement that payment may be made per the rental agreement or by nonelectronic means (cashier's check, money order, certified funds); that payment must be made within 14 days after service or the tenant must vacate, and that payments are applied first to the amount shown; reference to the Attorney General's translated notices and rental assistance; the right to an appointed lawyer for qualifying low-income renters (Eviction Defense Screening Line) and to court interpreters; landlord signature, date, and where to pay. Service: personal delivery; or, if absent, leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion plus mailing; or posting conspicuously plus mailing. If served by mail, 5 additional days are allowed before filing. (RCW 59.18.057; RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.12.040)
What does a Washington notice to end a month-to-month tenancy have to include?
Landlords generally cannot end a month-to-month tenancy without one of the statutory causes (just cause). Notices under the cause provisions must be written, served per RCW 59.12.040, and identify the facts and circumstances supporting the cause with enough specificity for the tenant to prepare a defense; notice periods depend on the cause (e.g., 90 days for owner move-in or sale of a single-family home; 20 days for shared-housing or sexual-harassment grounds). Termination notices must state the date by which the tenant must vacate or comply. A tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice of 20+ days before the end of a rental period. (RCW 59.18.650(2), (6); RCW 59.18.200(1)(a); RCW 59.12.040)
What must a Washington security deposit itemization include?
Within 30 days after termination and move-out (or after learning of abandonment), the landlord must give a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any deposit, with any refund due, plus copies of estimates or paid invoices substantiating damage charges; for in-house repairs, bills/receipts for materials and a statement of time spent and the hourly rate. No deductions for ordinary wear, or for carpet cleaning unless wear beyond ordinary use is documented. Delivered personally or by first-class mail to the last known address within the 30 days. (RCW 59.18.280(1))
How long does a landlord have to sue for unpaid rent in Washington?
6 years for an action on a written contract or liability arising from a written agreement (written lease). 3 years for a contract or liability not in writing (oral lease). (RCW 4.16.040(1); 4.16.080(3))
Can a landlord accept rent during an eviction in Washington?
After a writ of restitution issues, the landlord's acceptance of a payment that only partially satisfies the judgment does not invalidate the writ unless there is a written agreement signed by both parties; the eviction is not postponed or stopped unless the tenant gives a copy of that agreement to the sheriff. The writ and accompanying notice must state this in bold capitals. No statute addresses acceptance of rent after a pay-or-vacate notice but before judgment; any lease clause waiving Chapter 59.18 rights is unenforceable. (RCW 59.18.390(1)-(2); 59.18.230)
Can you be evicted in the winter in Washington?
No winter/cold-weather limit on evictions in state landlord-tenant law. Heat rule only: a landlord may not involuntarily shut off electric or water service for nonpayment on any day the National Weather Service has issued or announced a heat-related alert for the area, must reconnect on request during such alerts (it may require a payment plan capped at 6% of the tenant's monthly income), and must explain the reconnection right in any disconnection notice. (RCW 59.18.060(11)(a)-(c))
Can a landlord give notice by text or email in Washington?
Eviction-related notices must be served (1) by personal delivery; or (2) if the tenant is absent, by leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion at the premises AND mailing a copy to the tenant's residence; or (3) if the residence is unknown or no such person can be found, by posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the premises, delivering a copy to a resident if one can be found, AND mailing a copy to the premises address. Mail service is complete on deposit in the U.S. mail from within Washington, but 5 extra days are allowed before filing suit. The notice must state the date to vacate or comply. No e-mail or text service of termination notices is authorized. Rent-increase notices must also be served under RCW 59.12.040. (RCW 59.12.040; 59.18.720(1)(b)(ii))
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Washington?
At least 90 days' prior written notice of any rent increase (30 days for subsidized income-based tenancies), and for a fixed-term lease the increase cannot take effect before the term ends. Since May 7, 2025 (HB 1217, 2025 c 209): no increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy, and no more than 7% plus CPI or 10% (whichever is less) in any 12 months, unless an exemption applies (e.g., units with a first certificate of occupancy 12 or fewer years old, certain nonprofit/public/affordable housing, some owner-occupied homes and 2-4 unit buildings). Notice must use the statutory form and state facts for any claimed exemption; the tenant may terminate on 20 days' notice before the increase takes effect if it exceeds the cap. Commerce publishes the annual maximum each year. (RCW 59.18.140(3); 59.18.700; 59.18.710; 59.18.720)
Does a landlord have to give a copy of the lease in Washington?
Yes. When there is a written rental agreement, the landlord must give an executed copy to each tenant who signs it; the tenant may request one free replacement copy during the tenancy. The landlord must designate the name and address of the landlord on the rental agreement or by a notice conspicuously posted on the premises, and give immediate written notice of changes. At signing the landlord must also give fire-safety/smoke-detector disclosures and Department of Health mold information; for leases entered into after Dec. 31, 2026, flood-hazard and renter's-insurance disclosures are also required. (RCW 59.18.065; 59.18.060(12)-(14), (16))
What are tenants' rights in a foreclosure in Washington?
In a nonjudicial (deed of trust) foreclosure of tenant-occupied property, the trustee must post and mail a notice to the 'Resident of property subject to foreclosure sale' when posting the notice of trustee's sale, warning that the property may be sold in 90 days or more and the new owner may offer a new rental agreement or give a 60-day notice to vacate. A tenant or subtenant in possession when the property is sold in foreclosure must get at least 60 days' written notice to vacate before removal (eviction for waste or nuisance excepted); the rule does not apply to a borrower who stays on as a tenant. Separately, under just-cause eviction rules, an owner who elects to sell a single-family residence must give at least 90 days' written notice to end the tenancy. (RCW 61.24.143; 61.24.146; 59.18.650(2)(e))
Does a landlord have to fix mold in Washington?
Disclosure required: the landlord must give tenants information provided or approved by the Department of Health about the health hazards of indoor mold and how tenants can control mold growth, either in writing to each tenant or posted in a visible public location on the property. The landlord is immune from civil liability for failing to do so unless the failure is knowing and intentional. There is no mold-specific remediation standard; mold is handled under the landlord's general duty to keep the premises fit for habitation, comply with health and safety codes and make repairs. (RCW 59.18.060(1), (5), (14), (15))
Who pays for pest control and bed bugs in Washington?
The landlord must provide a reasonable program for the control of insects, rodents and other pests at the start of the tenancy and, except in a single-family residence, must control infestation during the tenancy unless the tenant caused it. No bed-bug-specific statute (no disclosure or inspection rule). The tenant must pay all extermination and fumigation costs for an infestation the tenant caused. (RCW 59.18.060(4); 59.18.130(2))
Does a landlord have to provide heat in Washington?
Yes. The landlord must provide facilities adequate to supply heat (and water and hot water) as reasonably required by the tenant, and keep heating facilities it supplies in reasonably good working order. After notice, a defect depriving the tenant of heat must be remedied within 24 hours (where possible). State law sets no minimum indoor temperature or heating season. (RCW 59.18.060(8), (11); 59.18.070(1))
Does a landlord have to provide air conditioning in Washington?
No duty to provide air conditioning and no maximum indoor temperature. Since 2026, a landlord generally may not prohibit or restrict a tenant from installing a portable cooling device (air conditioner or portable heat pump) and may not charge a fee for its use, inspection or installation. Exceptions: the unit already has a permanent, fully operational heat pump; installation would violate codes or manufacturer safety guidelines, cause unreasonable damage, or exceed the electrical supply; and window units may be restricted for egress, lock, mounting, security or written insurance-policy reasons (which must be disclosed in the lease). The tenant must give 2 days' notice before installing a window unit. Also, a landlord may not cut off electric or water service for nonpayment on a day the National Weather Service has issued a heat-related alert for the area. (RCW 59.18.740; 59.18.060(11)(a))
What can a landlord deduct from a deposit for cleaning or damage in Washington?
'Wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises' means deterioration from intended use, including breakage or malfunction due to age or deteriorated condition, but not deterioration from negligence, carelessness, accident or abuse by the tenant, family, occupants or guests. No deposit may be withheld for ordinary wear; for carpet cleaning unless the landlord documents carpet wear beyond ordinary use; for items whose condition was not documented in the move-in checklist; or for more than the cost to repair the damaged portion of an item. The landlord must include estimates or invoices (or time and hourly rate for in-house work) to substantiate damage charges. (RCW 59.18.030; 59.18.280(1))
Can a landlord put cameras in or around a rental in Washington?
No landlord camera statute. Washington is an all-party consent state: recording a private conversation or private communication without the consent of all participants is unlawful. Voyeurism laws make it a crime to knowingly view, photograph or film a person without knowledge and consent in a place where the person would reasonably expect privacy. New smart-access-system rules (effective Jan. 1, 2027) limit the data a landlord's electronic/biometric entry system may collect, require a written privacy policy (including what data on guests is collected), and require a non-biometric, non-phone alternative key on request. (RCW 9.73.030; 9A.44.115; 59.18.750-.760)
Can a landlord limit guests or roommates in Washington?
No statute on guest limits or occupancy caps — the state landlord-tenant act does not define when a guest becomes a tenant; the rental agreement governs, subject to local occupancy codes and fair-housing rules. The tenant must follow reasonable rules and may not let family members, invitees or others damage the premises. Remaining-occupant rule: when a tenant permanently leaves (other than because the landlord ended the tenancy), the landlord must serve any occupant who lived there with the tenant for at least the prior six months a notice to apply to join the rental agreement or vacate within 30 days; the landlord may apply its normal screening criteria. (RCW 59.18.130(4); 59.18.140(1); 59.18.650(3) (ch. 59.18 checked))
Can a landlord deny a service or emotional support animal in Washington?
The Washington Law Against Discrimination prohibits housing discrimination based on disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, and requires reasonable accommodation in rules and policies. Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal or service-animal trainee (knowing or having reason to know it does not qualify) to secure disability rights is a civil infraction. No state statute sets emotional-support-animal documentation rules or pet-fee limits. (RCW 49.60.222; 49.60.214)
Official resources for Washington
- WA Attorney General: Landlord-Tenant
- WA Dept. of Commerce: HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center (annual rent cap)
- RCW 59.18 Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (full text)
- HB 1217 (2025) bill history
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.