Washington state, which gained statehood in 1889, strictly regulates the process for increasing rent, but it explicitly prohibits local municipalities and the state from enacting rent control. Recent attempts to introduce rent stabilization, such as House Bill 1217, did not pass into law. Therefore, there are no statewide caps on the amount a landlord can increase rent.

1. No Statewide Rent Cap

Under Washington law, there is no maximum annual rent increase limit. Rent control is prohibited in the state. Landlords are free to increase rent to market rates, provided they follow the proper notice procedures and the increase is not retaliatory or discriminatory.

2. Fixed-Term vs. Month-to-Month Leases

• Fixed-Term Leases: Landlords are generally prohibited from increasing rent during the term of a fixed lease unless the lease agreement specifically allows for it.
• Month-to-Month Leases: Rent can be increased, but the landlord must provide the proper statutory notice.

3. The 90-Day Notice Requirement

Under RCW 59.18.140, a landlord must provide a minimum of 90 days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant. Any increase in the amount of rent may not become effective prior to the completion of the term of the rental agreement.

Delivery and Form Requirements

• The notice must be served in writing.
• Any rent increase must be timed to coincide with the end of a rental period.
• Transitional Exception: For a tenant whose lease or rental agreement was entered into or renewed before May 7, 2025, and whose tenancy is for a specified time, if the lease or rental agreement has more than 60 days but less than 90 days left before the end of the specified time as of May 7, 2025, the landlord must provide written notice to the affected tenant a minimum of 60 days before the effective date of the increase.
• Subsidized housing tenancies have different notice requirements based on the specific program.

4. Exemptions and Special Cases

• Subsidized Housing: For subsidized tenancies where the amount of rent is based on the tenant's income or specific household circumstances, a landlord must provide a minimum of 30 days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent, rather than the standard 90 days. An increase in the amount of rent for subsidized tenancies may become effective upon completion of the term of the rental agreement or sooner upon mutual consent.

5. Tenant Protections and Penalties

• A landlord cannot use a rent increase to retaliate against a tenant for exercising their legal rights (such as complaining to a government agency about code violations).
• If a tenant believes a rent increase is retaliatory or discriminatory, they may seek legal counsel or contact local tenant advocacy groups.

6. Local Ordinances

Several Washington cities have pre-existing rent increase protections that are more restrictive regarding notice periods or provide economic protections:

• Seattle: Requires longer notice periods for certain rent increases and has an "Economic Eviction" ordinance that may trigger relocation assistance if a rent increase is 10% or more.
• Tacoma: Also has additional local ordinances regarding notice periods and tenant relocation assistance triggered by large rent increases.
• Where local law is more protective than state law regarding notice or assistance, the local ordinance prevails (though local rent control itself is still prohibited).

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How Landager Helps

Managing Washington properties requires precision, especially with Seattle's strict security deposit caps and the statewide 30-day return deadline. Landager automates the mandatory move-in checklist process, tracks the 14-day "pay or vacate" notices, and ensures rent increases are delivered with the required 90-day notice. From managing installment payment requests to staying compliant with Just Cause eviction requirements, Landager helps you navigate the complex RCW 59.18 landscape.