Rent Increase Notice Laws in Washington

In Washington, a landlord must give at least 90 days' written notice of a rent increase, may not raise rent in the first 12 months, and is limited to 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, in any 12 months.

Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Notice for month-to-month increase: 90 days; At least 90 days' prior written notice; 30 days for subsidized tenancies where rent is based on income. An increase cannot take effect before the current term ends.
Longer notice rule: No; 90 days for any increase; The 90-day rule applies to all increases; there is no separate tier for large increases.
Statewide rent increase cap: Yes: 7% plus inflation, max 10%; No increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy. Units with a first certificate of occupancy 12 or fewer years old and some public or nonprofit housing are exempt. Expires July 1, 2040.

Sources

Last checked October 2026

The rules in Washington

How much notice must a landlord give before raising rent on a month-to-month tenancy in Washington?

Notice for month-to-month increase in Washington: 90 days. At least 90 days' prior written notice; 30 days for subsidized tenancies where rent is based on income. An increase cannot take effect before the current term ends.

Does Washington require longer notice for large rent increases or long tenancies?

Longer notice rule in Washington: No; 90 days for any increase. The 90-day rule applies to all increases; there is no separate tier for large increases.

Does Washington limit how much a landlord can raise the rent?

Yes: 7% plus inflation, max 10%. Statewide rent increase cap in Washington: yes: 7% plus inflation, max 10%. No increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy. Units with a first certificate of occupancy 12 or fewer years old and some public or nonprofit housing are exempt. Expires July 1, 2040.

Where do the Washington rent increase notice laws come from?

The rules above come from Wash. Rev. Code 59.18.140(3), Wash. Rev. Code 59.18.700 and Wash. Rev. Code 59.18.710. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The 90-day notice and the statewide cap come from 2025 legislation (2025 c 209), effective May 7, 2025.

The Department of Commerce publishes the maximum annual percentage each year.

What this means in practice

Put the rent increase in writing, state the new amount and the date it takes effect, and keep a copy along with proof of how and when it was delivered. Count the notice period from the date the tenant actually receives the notice, and check whether your state adds extra days for mailed notices.

Check local law as well as state law. Some cities and counties have rent stabilization ordinances, registration rules, or longer notice periods, and subsidized or rent-regulated units often follow separate federal or program rules.

A rent increase cannot be used to retaliate against a tenant for making a repair request or complaint, or to discriminate against a protected group. If the timing of an increase could look retaliatory, document the business reason for it.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

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