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Last verified: · Confidence: high
How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Washington?
Short answer
At a glance: 90 days
90 days' written notice of any rent increase, on the state form; no increase during the first 12 months or before a fixed term ends
Notice: At least 90 days before the rent increase takes effect
Give each affected tenant at least 90 days' prior written notice of a rent increase, in substantially the form set out in RCW 59.18.720, served under RCW 59.12.040. An increase cannot take effect before the end of a fixed-term agreement or during the first 12 months of the tenancy.
"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." app.leg.wa.gov
"a landlord must provide a tenant with notice of rent increases in a form that is substantially the same as the form provided in subsection (3) of this section." app.leg.wa.gov
"During the first 12 months after the tenancy begins; and" app.leg.wa.gov
90 days' written notice of any rent increase, on the state form; no increase during the first 12 months or before a fixed term ends Verified
Deadline: At least 90 days before the rent increase takes effect
Give each affected tenant at least 90 days' prior written notice of a rent increase, in substantially the form set out in RCW 59.18.720, served under RCW 59.12.040. An increase cannot take effect before the end of a fixed-term agreement or during the first 12 months of the tenancy.
Who it covers: Subsidized tenancies with income-based rent: 30 days. Serve the notice under RCW 59.12.040. Local law can require more (Seattle: 180 days).
"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." app.leg.wa.gov
"a landlord must provide a tenant with notice of rent increases in a form that is substantially the same as the form provided in subsection (3) of this section." app.leg.wa.gov
"During the first 12 months after the tenancy begins; and" app.leg.wa.gov
Notes: RCW 59.18.140(3), 59.18.720 (2025 c 209, effective May 7, 2025; previously 60 days).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Rent increase cap: 7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is less, per 12 months; 10% for 2027 (9.683% for 2026) Verified
Deadline: New yearly cap takes effect every January 1 (Commerce publishes it each summer)
In any 12-month period, rent (including recurring and periodic charges) may rise by no more than 7% plus the Seattle-area CPI or 10%, whichever is less. Commerce publishes the cap each summer for the next calendar year: 9.683% for 2026 and 10% for increases effective January 1 to December 31, 2027.
Who it covers: Exempt (RCW 59.18.710): units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 years old or less, certain public, nonprofit and tax-credit housing, and some owner-occupied situations (shared kitchen or bath, single-family home with up to two rented units or ADU, owner-occupied duplex to fourplex) unless owned by a REIT, corporation or LLC with a corporate member. Claimed exemptions must be stated with supporting facts in the notice. Expires July 1, 2040.
"During any 12-month period of the tenancy, in an amount greater than seven percent plus the consumer price index, or 10 percent, whichever is less." app.leg.wa.gov
"The maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed for properties subject to Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) unless specifically exempted as defined in RCW 59.18.700 between 1/1/2027 and 12/31/2027 is 10%." commerce.wa.gov
"between 1/1/2026 and 12/31/2026 is 9.683%." commerce.wa.gov
"A tenancy in a dwelling unit for which the first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 or less years before the date of the notice of the rent increase." app.leg.wa.gov
Notes: RCW 59.18.700, 59.18.710; Department of Commerce HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center (updated October 14, 2026). Calendar date marks when each year's new cap takes effect.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction