Rental Application in Washington

A rental application that collects what landlords commonly ask for. Follow your state's limits on application fees and fair-housing rules: ask every applicant the same questions.

What Washington law says

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
Statewide ban on refusing 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

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

Statewide ban on refusing 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

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RENTAL APPLICATION — [rental address]

Applicant name: [applicant name] Phone: [phone] Email: [email]

Current address: [current address] How long: [time at current address] Current rent: $[current rent]

Current landlord: [current landlord name and phone]

Previous address and landlord: [previous address and landlord]

Employer: [employer] Position: [position] Monthly income: $[monthly income] Other income (including housing vouchers or benefits): [other income]

Other adults who will live in the unit: [other adult occupants] Number of minors: [number of minors]

Pets or assistance animals: [pets] Vehicles: [vehicles]

Application fee: $[application fee] (see your state's rule above). Screening company used: [screening company name and contact]

I authorize the landlord to verify this information and obtain a tenant screening or credit report. Signature: ____________ Date: [date signed]

Rental Application for other states · Washington tenant rights

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.