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Washington Landlord-Tenant Laws

This overview summarizes common Washington landlord-tenant topics using published statute references (Washington RCW 59.18). Laws change — confirm details with official sources.

Washington at a glance: Security deposit limit: No statutory limit. Return deadline: 21 days after move-out. Month-to-month notice: 20 days. Source: Washington RCW 59.18.
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Security Deposit Laws

Maximum Deposit:

No statutory limit

Return Deadline:

21 days after move-out

Interest Required:

No statutory requirement

Landlords should provide an itemized deduction list when withholding any portion of the deposit.

Eviction Notice Requirements

Nonpayment of Rent:

14 days notice

Lease Violation:

10 days notice

Court filing and service rules vary by county. Use our eviction timeline calculator for planning.

Notice to Vacate

Month-to-Month Lease:

20 days notice

Fixed-Term Lease:

No notice required if lease ends

Late Rent Fees

Grace Period:

No statutory requirement

Maximum Late Fee:

No limit

Additional Regulations

Rent Control:

No statewide rent control

Landlord Entry Notice:

2 days

Primary statute reference: Washington RCW 59.18

When to use Washington document templates

Use LeaseCraft templates when you need editable PDF or DOCX lease and notice forms built for Washington landlords and tenants. Start with the residential lease generator, then add notices from the sidebar.

Common mistakes in Washington

  • Relying on verbal agreements instead of a written lease with required disclosures
  • Missing the 21-day security deposit return window
  • Serving eviction or termination notices with incorrect day counts

Frequently asked questions

In Washington, the commonly cited limit is No statutory limit. Return timing is typically 21 days after move-out. Confirm current rules in Washington RCW 59.18.

Washington month-to-month tenancies typically require 20 days written notice unless the lease specifies otherwise.

Use our Washington lease agreement generator to build a residential lease with state-structured clauses. Preview free before download.

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