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.
Washington law requires that any deposit, fee, or prepaid rent be held in a trust account, not commingled with the landlord's operating funds. The lease must identify the bank in writing, and the landlord must provide a written checklist of the unit's condition before collecting any deposit. Within 30 days of tenant move-out, the landlord must return the deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions; Seattle's Renting in Seattle code shortens this to 21 days for properties under SMC 22.206. Wear and tear is not deductible, and the burden of proof on damage falls on the landlord. Failure to comply forfeits the deposit and exposes the landlord to up to twice the deposit in damages.
Commingling deposits, failing to identify the trust bank, missing the 30-day return deadline, or charging for normal wear and tear can result in forfeiture of the entire deposit plus damages up to twice the deposit and attorney fees.
Federal Way, WA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how Federal Way's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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