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.
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Security Deposit Laws
No statutory limit
30 days
No statutory requirement
The rule: No statewide deposit limit; a deposit requires a written lease and a signed move-in checklist. Within 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant moves out, the landlord must give a full and specific statement of the reasons for any deduction, with copies of estimates or invoices, plus the refund; missing the deadline makes the landlord liable for the full deposit (RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.280).
Landlords should provide an itemized deduction list when withholding any portion of the deposit.
Reviewed · RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.280
Eviction Notice Requirements
14 days notice
10 days notice
Court filing and service rules vary by county. Use our eviction timeline calculator for planning.
Notice to Vacate
20 days notice
No notice required if lease ends
Late Rent Fees
5 days
No dollar cap in the statute; no late fee on rent paid within 5 days after its due date
Statute: RCW 59.18.170(2)
Additional Regulations
Statewide cap: 7% + CPI, never more than 10% (RCW 59.18.700)
2 days
When to use Washington document templates
Use LeaseCraft templates when you need PDF and editable 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 security deposit return deadline (30 days)
- Serving eviction or termination notices with incorrect day counts
Frequently asked questions
Washington sets no statewide security deposit limit. The return deadline is 30 days. No statewide deposit limit; a deposit requires a written lease and a signed move-in checklist. Within 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant moves out, the landlord must give a full and specific statement of the reasons for any deduction, with copies of estimates or invoices, plus the refund; missing the deadline makes the landlord liable for the full deposit (RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.280).
Confirm current rules in Washington RCW 59.18.
Disclaimer: Educational summary only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for specific guidance. LeaseCraft is not a law firm. Statutes change — verify requirements with official Washington sources before relying on this information. Last reviewed: 2026-06-18.