Washington Statewide Rule
Washington Rent Increase Notice Requirements
Key Facts
- Standard notice
- At least 90 days' written notice (RCW 59.18.140)
- Subsidized housing
- 30 days' notice if rent is income-based
- First 12 months
- No increase allowed (HB 1217, 2025)
- Annual cap
- Lesser of 10% or 7% + CPI; 5% for mobile-home lots
- Effective date
- Rent Stabilization Act took effect May 7, 2025
Summary
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.
Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection, a landlord shall provide a minimum of 90 days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant, and any increase in the amount of rent may not become effective prior to the completion of the term of the rental agreement.
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Penalties
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice must a Washington landlord give before raising rent?
Is there a rent increase cap in Washington?
Sources
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.