Washington Rental Fee Rules
Washington rules on rental fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: 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… RCW 59.18.257
The rules 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. |
Related questions
- How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee?
- What rental fees are illegal (junk fees)?
Washington vs. neighboring states
| State | Application / screening fees | Other rental fees |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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) |
| Idaho | Not verified yet | Any fee charged to a residential tenant, including late fees, must be reasonable. The owner may not charge any fee, fine, assessment, interest or other cost above the amount in the rental agreement, or one not in the agreement, unless the agreement is oral or the owner gives 30 days' written notice of the change. Applies to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2023; does not limit rent. Local governments may not regulate rent, fees or deposits. Idaho Code §§ 55-305, 55-306 |
| Oregon | Screening charge allowed only to cover screening costs and may not exceed the landlord's average actual cost or the customary amount charged by screening companies. Only one screening charge per applicant in any 60-day period regardless of how many units applied for. Before taking payment the landlord must adopt written criteria and give written notice of the charge, criteria, process, dispute/appeal rights, nondiscrimination policy, rent and deposits, and refund rights; must give a receipt and confirmation of screening. No charge when no units are available. Refund within 30 days if unit filled before screening or no screening done before written withdrawal. Penalty: twice the charge plus $250. Other applicant deposits/fees are barred except a deposit to secure execution of a rental agreement after approval. ORS 90.295; ORS 90.297 | Landlord may not charge a move-in fee for anticipated landlord expenses and may not charge any fee except those listed in ORS 90.302, each of which must be described in the written rental agreement: late fee (ORS 90.260), dishonored check fee, smoke/CO alarm tampering (up to $250), pet-agreement violation, early abandonment of a fixed term (max 1.5x monthly rent; not for DV or military releases), and capped fees for repeated written-rule violations after a written warning ($50, then $50 + 5% of rent; $250 for smoking/unauthorized pet). Liquidated damages are barred. Since June 5, 2026, processing fees for card, tenant-portal or other electronic payments may be passed through only if the payment processor allows it, the landlord lets the tenant pay by check or another non-electronic method, and records of the fees are given to the tenant on written request. A landlord may not require electronic payment, and may not charge a late fee or terminate for nonpayment if it refused a payment offered by check or another commercially reasonable method. ORS 90.302; 2026 Or. Laws c.23 (SB 1523) §§ 3, 5 |
City rules that may add to state law
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Washington Rental Fee Rules FAQ
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))
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.