General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
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The short version
- Landlords must give at least 90 days of written notice before a rent increase, and an increase cannot take effect before a fixed term ends.
- For subsidized tenancies where rent is based on household income, the notice period is 30 days.
- No rent increase is allowed during the first 12 months of a tenancy, and after that increases are capped statewide, with exemptions for units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 years old or newer, some owner occupied homes and certain public or nonprofit housing.
- A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services or start an eviction in retaliation for a tenant's good faith complaint or use of legal rights, and action soon after a complaint is presumed retaliatory.
Washington landlords must give at least 90 days of written notice before a rent increase, and an increase cannot take effect before a fixed term ends. Increases are also limited by the statewide cap adopted in 2025.
Washington rent increase notice at a glance
| Rule | Washington | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Notice before a rent increase | Landlords must give at least 90 days of written notice before a rent increase, and an increase cannot take effect before a fixed term ends. | RCW 59.18.140 |
| Notice before a rent increase | For subsidized tenancies where rent is based on household income, the notice period is 30 days. | RCW 59.18.140 |
| Statewide cap on increases | No rent increase is allowed during the first 12 months of a tenancy, and after that increases are capped statewide, with exemptions for units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 years old or newer, some owner occupied homes and certain public or nonprofit housing. | RCW 59.18.700 and RCW 59.18.710 |
| Retaliation protection | A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services or start an eviction in retaliation for a tenant's good faith complaint or use of legal rights, and action soon after a complaint is presumed retaliatory. | RCW 59.18.240 and RCW 59.18.250 |
How much notice to give
Give the notice in writing, keep a copy and record how and when it was delivered.
Notice before a rent increase. Landlords must give at least 90 days of written notice before a rent increase, and an increase cannot take effect before a fixed term ends. (RCW 59.18.140)
Notice before a rent increase. For subsidized tenancies where rent is based on household income, the notice period is 30 days. (RCW 59.18.140)
Fixed-term leases
During a fixed-term lease, rent usually stays as written until the term ends unless the lease itself allows an increase. Plan increases for the renewal.
Caps that limit the increase
Statewide cap on increases. No rent increase is allowed during the first 12 months of a tenancy, and after that increases are capped statewide, with exemptions for units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 years old or newer, some owner occupied homes and certain public or nonprofit housing. (RCW 59.18.700 and RCW 59.18.710)
Rent control status. Washington limits most residential rent increases to 7 percent plus the Seattle area consumer price index, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, in any 12 month period. The Department of Commerce publishes the limit for each year. (RCW 59.18.700)
Timing and retaliation
Retaliation protection. A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services or start an eviction in retaliation for a tenant's good faith complaint or use of legal rights, and action soon after a complaint is presumed retaliatory. (RCW 59.18.240 and RCW 59.18.250)
Mistakes to avoid
- Raising rent during a fixed term without a clause that allows it.
- Sending the notice by text or email when the lease or the law calls for written delivery another way.
- Increasing rent right after a repair request or complaint.
- Not keeping proof of when the notice was delivered.
Keep the Washington rent increase notice summary on file
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General information, not legal advice.
Verify current law
We last checked these Washington rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Washington attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- RCW 59.18.140
- RCW 59.18.700 and RCW 59.18.710
- RCW 59.18.240 and RCW 59.18.250
- RCW 59.18.700
Official sources
Washington forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
- Notice of Rent Increase · PDF or Word
- Rent Increase Letter · PDF or Word
- Lease Renewal Letter · PDF or Word
Before you act on it. Check the statute too; this is not legal advice.
How much notice is needed to raise rent in Washington?
Landlords must give at least 90 days of written notice before a rent increase, and an increase cannot take effect before a fixed term ends. For subsidized tenancies where rent is based on household income, the notice period is 30 days. Source: RCW 59.18.140.
Is there a cap on rent increases in Washington?
No rent increase is allowed during the first 12 months of a tenancy, and after that increases are capped statewide, with exemptions for units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 years old or newer, some owner occupied homes and certain public or nonprofit housing. Source: RCW 59.18.700 and RCW 59.18.710.
Can a rent increase count as retaliation in Washington?
A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services or start an eviction in retaliation for a tenant's good faith complaint or use of legal rights, and action soon after a complaint is presumed retaliatory. Source: RCW 59.18.240 and RCW 59.18.250.