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.
Kent, WA
Kent decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 and KCC 8.05 using EDNA zones. Residential receiving limit is 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night. Commercial sources are cappe...
Kent, WA
Kent industrial sources are capped at 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at another industrial property, but only 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night when received at a res...
Kent, WA
Commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR generally cannot park on Kent residential streets except for active loading. Warehouse districts and truck routes h...
Kent, WA
Kent follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at Kent Station and sev...
Kent, WA
Kent driveway aprons require Public Works approval under KCC Title 6. New or widened driveways need a right-of-way construction permit, and vehicles must not...
Kent, WA
Kent has no city requirement to split shared fence costs with a neighbor. Washington common law controls boundary fences. Survey the property line before bui...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how Kent's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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