Seattle Landlord-Tenant Rules

Rent stabilization: Seattle has no local rent cap of its own. The statewide cap applies (as of May 7, 2025, 7% plus CPI, at most 10% a year, with exemptions). Seattle adds its own rules. Every housing cost increase (rent, parking, storage, other periodic fees) needs at least 180 days' written notice. Increases are not allowed during a lease term or in the first 12 months of a tenancy. Month-to-month rent may be no more than 5% higher than the lease rate. A tenant whose unit fails the RRIO checklist standards can notify the landlord in writing, and the increase cannot take effect until the problems are fixed. Increase notices must include the City's Renting in Seattle helpline language.; Relocation assistance: Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance (EDRA), effective July 1, 2022: if housing costs rise 10% or more within 12 months, the landlord must attach an EDRA notice to the increase notice. Tenant households at or below 80% of AMI who give notice to vacate can apply. The City pays them 3 times the current monthly housing cost, and the landlord must reimburse the City. The 80% AMI limits listed are for 2025 (for example, $84,850 for 1 person and $121,150 for 4). Separately, tenants displaced by demolition, substantial rehabilitation or change of use need a Tenant Relocation Assistance license through SDCI. Tenants displaced because of a City notice of violation (unauthorized unit, over-occupancy, non-conforming ADU) must be paid $2,000 or two months' rent, depending on income, at least two weeks before the termination date.; Just-cause eviction: Landlords need a just cause listed in the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance to end a month-to-month tenancy or to not renew a lease. Landlords must offer a renewal 60 to 90 days before a lease ends, and non-renewal requires just cause plus at least 60 days' notice. Causes include: failing to pay rent within 14 days of a pay-or-vacate notice; 4 or more written late-rent notices in 12 months; waste or nuisance; criminal activity (the notice must be recorded with SDCI with supporting facts); failing to cure a material lease term within 10 days; 3 or more comply notices in 12 months; owner or immediate family move-in when no comparable vacant unit exists in the building (90 days' notice); sale of a detached single-family house only (90 days' notice); and demolition, substantial rehabilitation or change of use (a tenant relocation license is required first). Eviction defenses: during the school year (September to June) for households with students or school employees, and in winter (December 1 to March 1) for households at or below 80% AMI, each with listed exceptions. Failing to register under RRIO is also a defense.; Security deposit (local add-on): Non-refundable fees may only be for screening and cleaning and are capped at 10% of one month's rent (screening above 10% is allowed at actual standard cost). The security deposit plus non-refundable fees combined may not exceed one month's rent. A separate pet deposit of up to 25% of one month's rent is allowed. Tenants may pay the deposit, fees and last month's rent in installments: for tenancies of 6 months or more, the deposit and fees in 6 monthly payments; for 30 days to 6 months, 4 payments; for month-to-month, 2 payments; non-refundable fees in 3 payments. Landlords may not refuse to rent to someone who chooses installments or charge interest on installments.