Local Rent Rules · last verified October 25, 2026

Washington (statewide) rent rules

Coverage, this period's allowable increase, notice periods, just cause and relocation — straight from the official sources, each linked and dated. 1 item is marked "not verified": we would rather show no figure than a guessed one.

Check a specific unit →

Not legal advice. LeaseHelper is a document automation service, not a law firm. This page summarises official sources and links each figure to them. Rules change — city figures are re-published every year — so check the "verified" date on each item and confirm with the agency before you act.

Which units are covered

exemptions

Not verified — no figure shown. Exemptions are in RCW 59.18.710; the Commerce page refers to it without listing them. See Seattle for the city's summary (properties 12 years old or less, certain owner-occupied, public/non-profit).

Maximum rent increase

max pct by year

Maximum increase in any 12-month period: lesser of 7% + CPI (Seattle-area CPI-U, June) or 10%, published by Commerce.

2026

%: 9.683
effective from: 2026-01-01
source url: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-announces-9-683-rent-cap-for-2026/

2027

%: 10
effective from: 2027-01-01
source url: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/housing-policy/hb1217-landlord-resource-center/

RCW 59.18.700–.730 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

no increase first 12 months

No increase for any tenancy during the first 12 months.

Yes

RCW 59.18.700 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Notice periods

rent increase notice days

Minimum 90 days' prior written notice (30 days where rent is based on the subsidized household's income).

general: 90
income based subsidized: 30

RCW 59.18.140(3) · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Need the notice itself?

Generate a rent-increase, just-cause termination or relocation notice built from these exact figures, with the required city language.

See notices →

Rules change — last verified October 25, 2026. Dataset: legal-facts/v1, jurisdiction wa.