Kennewick, WA Rental Property Rules: Security Deposit Rules (2026)

Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act controls deposits at every Kennewick rental. RCW 59.18.260 prohibits a landlord from collecting any deposit (security, last month's rent, cleaning, pet) unless the rental agreement is in writing, the tenant is given a written and signed checklist documenting the condition of the unit at move-in, and the landlord provides a written receipt identifying the financial institution where the funds are held. RCW 59.18.270 requires the deposit to be placed in a trust account with a Washington-licensed bank, savings and loan, mutual savings bank, or credit union; interest is the landlord's unless the agreement says otherwise. RCW 59.18.280 requires the landlord, within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant has vacated, to return the deposit in full or send a full and specific written statement of any deductions, with any remaining balance. Failure to comply forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit and can entitle the tenant to up to two times the deposit in court costs and attorney fees. RCW 59.18.285 caps non-refundable move-in fees and requires them to be itemized in the written agreement.