Security Deposit Rules: Federal Way vs Kirkland
How do security deposit rules rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Kirkland, WA?
Federal Way and Kirkland have similar restriction levels.
Federal Way, WA
King County
Under RCW 59.18.270, all security and damage deposits collected from King County tenants must be held in a trust account at a Washington financial institution, with the tenant given written notice of the bank's name and address within the lease.
View full Federal Way rules →Kirkland, WA
King County
Under RCW 59.18.270, all security and damage deposits collected from King County tenants must be held in a trust account at a Washington financial institution, with the tenant given written notice of the bank's name and address within the lease.
View full Kirkland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Federal Way | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| State citation | RCW 59.18.270 | RCW 59.18.270 |
| Trust account | Required | Required |
| Return deadline state | 30 days | 30 days |
| Seattle deadline | 21 days | 21 days |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Federal Way FAQ
Can I keep tenant deposits in my regular bank account?
No. RCW 59.18.270 requires a separate trust account at a Washington financial institution. Commingling forfeits any right to retain the deposit.
Is carpet cleaning deductible at move-out?
Routine carpet cleaning at the end of a tenancy is generally considered ordinary wear and tear under Washington law and cannot be deducted unless the lease specifies and damage exceeds normal use.
Kirkland FAQ
Can I keep tenant deposits in my regular bank account?
No. RCW 59.18.270 requires a separate trust account at a Washington financial institution. Commingling forfeits any right to retain the deposit.
Is carpet cleaning deductible at move-out?
Routine carpet cleaning at the end of a tenancy is generally considered ordinary wear and tear under Washington law and cannot be deducted unless the lease specifies and damage exceeds normal use.
Compare other topics
See how Federal Way and Kirkland compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool