Washington Room Rental Agreement Template

An agreement for renting one bedroom in a shared home, with private and shared areas, house rules, a fair utility split and clear notice terms. This edition fills in the Washington rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.

Washington rules for this form

Deposit limit. State law generally does not set a dollar or months limit on security deposits. (Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18))

Deadline to return the deposit. The landlord has 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send a full and specific statement of the reasons for keeping any part. (RCW 59.18.280)

Notice before entry. The landlord generally gives at least two days of written notice before entering, stating the date and time and a phone number, and one day to show the unit to buyers or renters. (RCW 59.18.150)

Late fees. Late fees are allowed only if rent is more than five days past due; once it is, fees can run from the day after the due date. (RCW 59.18.170)

Month-to-month notice. A tenant ends a month to month tenancy with at least 20 days of written notice before the end of a rental period; a landlord needs one of the causes listed in the statute. (RCW 59.18.200 and RCW 59.18.650)

Required disclosures. Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d))

Required disclosures. Before collecting a deposit, the landlord must give the tenant a written checklist describing the unit's condition, signed and dated by both sides. (RCW 59.18.260)

Required disclosures. Generally, landlords give tenants written information on fire safety and protection, including smoke detection devices. (Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18))

Cities and counties in Washington can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.

What is in the template

1. Parties
2. The room and shared areas
3. Term
4. Rent
5. Utilities and household costs
6. Security deposit
7. House rules
8. Privacy and entry
9. Care and repairs
10. Ending this Agreement for a breach
11. Moving out
12. General terms
13. Signatures

Before you use it

• A room rental agreement covers one private room plus shared use of common areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
• House rules on guests, quiet hours, cleaning and shared costs prevent most housemate disputes.
• Some states treat a renter who lives with the owner differently, especially for eviction, so check before you rely on it.
• Fair housing law still applies to most room rentals, though some owner-occupied homes have narrow exemptions.

For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the room rental agreement.