Rent increase limits in Washington
9.683%
Washington limits rent increases statewide: 7% + CPI (Seattle area June 12-month change), max 10%, whichever is less; none in first 12 months. 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31.
Changing in 2027
- : Statewide cap becomes 10% (2027-01-01 to 2027-12-31 (formula gave 11.53%, capped at 10%)) · source
What the research found
WA cap for calendar 2027 = 10%, effective Jan 1, 2027 (Commerce bulletin 2026-07-15). 2026 SHB 2452 (passed Legislature 3/5/2026) only changes service of rent-increase notices for manufactured/mobile home lots (RCW 59.20.390/.370), not RCW 59.18.140; signing/effective date not confirmed.
The rules in full
Statewide cap
RCW 59.18.700: no increase in first 12 months; max in any 12 months = 7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is less; Commerce set 10% for calendar 2027 (2026: 9.683%); expires July 1, 2040. Manufactured-home lots: 5% (RCW 59.20.370).
- Exemptions listed in RCW 59.18.710 (not enumerated here; read statute)
- Notice must state exemption facts if cap exceeded
Written notice
Minimum 90 days' prior written notice of any rent increase to each tenant, effective not before end of the rental term (30 days if income-based subsidized tenancy); no increase in first 12 months; notice must use the RCW 59.18.720 form, be served per RCW 59.12.040, and state exemption facts if above cap.
Local rent control
Rent control is of statewide significance and preempted; no city/town/county may regulate rent amounts except publicly owned/managed or low-income joint public-private properties; agreements with private persons allowed; floating home moorage exempted. Both read on app.leg.wa.gov (36.01.130 start read). HB 1217 (2025 c 209) added statewide cap but did not remove preemption.
Rent Increase Notice Kit
Your notice, ready to send
The free answer is general. The kit is yours: it uses your names, your address, your rents and your state's rules for Washington.
- Your letter, filled in: names, address, old and new rent, ready to print or save as PDF
- Correct notice date for your state: the earliest date the new rent can start
- Cap check: a warning if your new rent is above the limit
- Checklist and reminders: what to do before sending, plus calendar reminders (.ics)
- Source links printed on the page, so you can check every rule
General information, not legal advice. Built in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us.
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Common questions
What is the maximum rent increase in Washington?
Washington has a statewide cap: 7% + CPI (Seattle area June 12-month change), max 10%, whichever is less; none in first 12 months. 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31.
How much notice must a landlord give in Washington?
90 days. Minimum 90 days' prior written notice of any rent increase to each tenant, effective not before end of the rental term (30 days if income-based subsidized tenancy); no increase in first 12 months; notice must use the RCW 59.18.720 form, be served per RCW 59.12.040, and state exemption facts if above cap.
Can cities in Washington set their own rent caps?
State law blocks local rent control. Rent control is of statewide significance and preempted; no city/town/county may regulate rent amounts except publicly owned/managed or low-income joint public-private properties; agreements with private persons allowed; floating home moorage exempted. Both read on app.leg.wa.gov (36.01.130 start read). HB 1217 (2025 c 209) added statewide cap but did not remove preemption.
Sources and dates for Washington
- Statewide cap: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.700 · checked
- Current figure: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/housing-policy/hb1217-landlord-resource-center/ · checked
- Local rent control (state preemption): https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35.21.830 · checked
- Written notice: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.140 · checked
Data checked . Items marked “Unverified — check with your city/state” could not be confirmed on an official page; use the source link and ask your city or state.