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Tenant Friendly · Rank #48 of 51

Washington
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Everything a landlord needs to know about Washington law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

2
out of 10 · Tenant Friendly
📋
Notice Period
14 days
⏱️
Full Eviction
~90 days
💰
Deposit Max
None
🔑
Entry Notice
24 hrs
💳
Late Fee Cap
None
Rent Control
No
Live Market Data · RentCast

Washington Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Mar 29, 2026
1 Bedroom
$1,300
2 Bedrooms
$1,895
3 Bedrooms
$2,448
YoY Trend
-17.4%
Days on Market
57d
Seattle SE
98118
1BR$1,600
2BR$2,495
3BR$3,300
YoY
-31.1%
DOM
65.58d
Listings
138
Spokane N
99207
1BR$999
2BR$1,295
3BR$1,595
YoY
-3.8%
DOM
48.66d
Listings
104

Washington Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in Washington

01
Serve Notice
14-day written notice for non-payment of rent. Must be delivered personally or posted on door.
02
File Complaint
If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 14 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $85–$240.
03
Court Hearing
Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.
04
Judgment & Possession
If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.
ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE
14d
14d
Writ (55d)
Average total: 90 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

Washington security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰
Maximum Deposit
None
Per current statutes
📅
Return Deadline
14–45 days
After tenant vacates
📋
Itemization Required
Yes
Written itemization of deductions
📈
Interest Required
Yes (check locally)
Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under Washington law

✅ Landlord Rights
Can apply for immediate writ with $5k bond
⚖️ Tenant Rights
Just cause eviction statewide (RLTA 2021)
Right to counsel (Seattle)
Relocation assistance

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in Washington before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint
📄 Mold
📄 Carbon monoxide
📄 Fire safety
📄 Move-in checklist

Rent Control Status

Washington rent increase and rent control laws

No Rent Control in Washington
Washington has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms).

Washington Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in Washington?+
The average eviction timeline in Washington is 90 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 14 days. Filing fee is $85–$240.
What is the security deposit limit in Washington?+
In Washington, the security deposit maximum is None. Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
Does Washington have rent control?+
No. Washington has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.
How much entry notice is required in Washington?+
Landlords in Washington must provide at least 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit.

Compare Similar States

States with comparable landlord-friendliness scores

California
1
90d eviction · 1 month (as of 2024)
Connecticut
3
75d eviction · 2 months (1 month if 62+)
Hawaii
3
60d eviction · 1 month
Massachusetts
2
90d eviction · 1 month
← All StatesEviction Resources →