Under RCW 59.18.140, a Washington landlord must give at least 90 days' prior written notice before raising rent (30 days for income-based subsidized housing). The 2025 Rent Stabilization Act (HB 1217) also caps annual increases statewide and bars any increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy.
RCW 59.18.140 requires that 'a landlord shall provide a minimum of 90 days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant,' reduced to 30 days for tenancies subsidized based on tenant income. The 2025 Rent Stabilization Act (HB 1217), effective May 7, 2025, prohibits any rent increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy and caps later annual increases at the lesser of 10% or 7% plus CPI (5% for manufactured/mobile-home lots), with the Department of Commerce publishing the maximum each year. Increases generally may not take effect before a fixed term ends except in subsidized tenancies or by mutual consent.
A notice that fails the 90-day (or 30-day subsidized) requirement is invalid and the increase is unenforceable. An increase exceeding the HB 1217 cap can expose the landlord to the tenant's actual damages, a statutory penalty, and attorney fees under the Rent Stabilization Act's enforcement provisions.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kirkland, WA
Leaf blowers and power equipment are restricted to 8 AM to 8 PM weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends and holidays under KMC 11.84A. Kirkland has not adopted...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland sits about 20 miles north of Sea-Tac and is lightly affected by commercial flights. Kenmore Air seaplanes and Renton Municipal general aviation caus...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban, but enforces the 72-hour rule, signed residential permit zones, and no-parking signs at parks, tra...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland driveways must remain paved, accessible, and used for vehicle parking per KMC Title 115 zoning code, which limits front-yard paving and requires app...
Kirkland, WA
EV charging in Kirkland follows the Washington State Energy Code, which requires EV-ready capacity in new multifamily and commercial parking and protects pub...
Kirkland, WA
Under KZC 115.40, Kirkland fences may be up to 6 feet except within 15 feet of a street curb. Properties on a neighborhood access or collector street are cap...
See how Kirkland's rent increase notice rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.