State Landlord Laws

Washington Landlord
Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, notice requirements, rent control status, and the forms you need as a Washington landlord.

Washington Landlord-Tenant Law at a Glance

Security Deposit Limit
No statutory limit

Washington has no cap on security deposits but requires a written deposit agreement listing specific conditions for deductions. Must be returned within 30 days with itemized statement (RCW § 59.18.280).

Notice Requirements
14 days (nonpayment, 1st) / 3 days (2nd in 12 months) / 20 days (other violations) / 20 days (no-fault)

HB 1236 (2021) created strong just-cause eviction requirements. 14-day pay-or-cure notice for first nonpayment, 3-day for second occurrence. No-fault terminations require 20 days minimum.

Rent Control
No

Washington state law (RCW § 35.21.830) prohibits local rent control ordinances. Seattle has pursued rent stabilization legislation but it has not passed as of 2024.

Required Disclosures
  • Move-in checklist (RCW § 59.18.260)
  • Landlord's name and address (RCW § 59.18.060)
  • Mold disclosure
  • Carbon monoxide alarm disclosure
  • Bed bug disclosure
  • Lead paint disclosure (pre-1978)
Eviction Timeline
5–8 weeks

Washington's Unlawful Detainer process has been made more tenant-protective by recent legislation. Uncontested cases typically resolve in 5–8 weeks.

Washington Lease Agreement

Get an attorney-reviewed, state-specific lease for Washington — includes all required disclosures and clauses.

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Tools for Washington Landlords

The same trusted tools — screening, management, insurance, and banking — relevant for Washington landlords.

Property Management

Our Pick
TurboTenant
Free property management software

List your rental on 40+ sites, screen tenants, collect rent online, and manage maintenance requests — all in one place. Genuinely free for landlords.

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Tenant Screening

Avail
Tenant screening + lease signing + rent collection

Full-featured platform from Realtor.com. Order credit, criminal, and eviction reports, sign leases online, and set up automatic rent collection.

Screen Tenants
SmartMove
Credit, criminal & eviction reports by TransUnion

Industry-standard tenant background checks. Applicants pay the fee directly — you get the report. FCRA-compliant and accepted by most courts.

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Legal Forms

EZ Landlord Forms
State-specific lease agreements

Attorney-reviewed lease templates for all 50 states. Includes move-in checklists, rent increase notices, eviction notices, and more.

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Insurance

Steadily
Landlord insurance in minutes

Get a landlord insurance quote online in under 5 minutes. Covers rental income loss, liability, and property damage — designed specifically for rental properties.

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Banking & Finance

Baselane
Banking built for landlords

Separate your rental finances from personal accounts. Collect rent, track expenses by property, and generate tax-ready reports — all from one landlord-specific bank account.

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Find Local Contractors in Washington

Get quotes from vetted plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, handymen, and more near your Washington rental property.

Find Local Contractors

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