Rent Stabilization in Des Moines, Washington

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1. Overview of Rent Stabilization in Des Moines

Des Moines tenants are protected by Washington's statewide rent increase cap, House Bill 1217 (HB 1217), which passed in 2025 and applies to residential rental properties throughout the state. Unlike states that limit rent control to specific cities, Washington's law covers eligible properties statewide — including in Des Moines.

HB 1217 limits annual rent increases to 7% plus CPI, with a maximum of 10%, gives tenants a 12-month waiting period before any increase can take effect, and requires landlords to give 180 days' notice before any rent increase.

The law applies after the first 12 months of tenancy and has no construction-year cutoff — new and old buildings alike are covered, as long as the property is subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18).

2. Who Is Covered in Des Moines?

Washington's HB 1217 applies to most residential rental properties in Des Moines. Key rules:

• No construction-year cutoff — Unlike California or New York, Washington's cap applies to properties of all ages, including newly built units.
• 12-month waiting period — The rent cap does not apply until you have lived in the unit for at least 12 months. In the first year of tenancy, the landlord may set any rent.
• Applies statewide — HB 1217 covers all cities in Washington, including Des Moines, without the need for a local ordinance.

What is NOT covered:

• Rentals not subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (e.g., transient accommodations, most subsidized housing with their own rules)
• Tenants in their first 12 months at the property (the waiting period exemption)

3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases

For 2026, the maximum allowable rent increase in Des Moines is 9.683% (7% + CPI, maximum 10%). This cap is determined annually by the Department of Commerce using Seattle-area inflation data.

2026 Rent Increase Cap:

• Maximum increase: 9.683% (7% + CPI, capped at 10%)

Important Rules:

• Only one rent increase per 12-month period is allowed
• Landlords must provide at least 90 days written notice before any increase
• The cap applies to tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 12 months
• First-year tenants may see increases above the cap (but still need 90-day notice)

4. Notice Requirements for Rent Increases

Before raising rent, Des Moines landlords must provide tenants with written notice at least 180 days in advance. This is one of the strongest notice requirements in the country — far longer than the 30–60 days required in most states.

What the 180-day notice requirement means in practice:

• The notice must be in writing and state the new rent amount and the date it takes effect.
• The 180-day clock starts when the tenant receives written notice — not when the landlord sends it.
• If your landlord gives you less than 180 days' notice, the rent increase is not enforceable under state law.
• You cannot waive this notice requirement, even in a lease agreement.

If you received a rent increase notice with less than 180 days' advance notice, contact the Tenants Union of Washington State or a local tenant rights organization.

5. 12-Month Waiting Period

Under HB 1217, landlords in Des Moines may not raise rent during the first 12 months of tenancy. This waiting period applies regardless of when the tenant moved in or what the lease says.

How the waiting period works:

• The 12-month period begins on the date the tenant first takes possession of the unit.
• During this period, rent cannot be increased — even if the landlord claims a hardship or cost increase.
• After 12 months, the landlord may give notice of an increase, but must still comply with the 180-day notice requirement and the 10% annual cap.
• The waiting period resets if a tenant moves to a different unit (a new tenancy), but not if the same tenant renews in the same unit.

Together, the 12-month waiting period and the 180-day notice requirement mean that in practice, a landlord who wants to raise rent must give notice before the 10-month mark to have it take effect at month 12.

6. Resources for Des Moines Tenants

If you're a tenant in Des Moines and have questions about your rights, consider these resources:

• Washington State Department of Commerce - HB 1217 – Official state information about rent increase caps
• Tenants Union of Washington State – Statewide tenant rights organization
• Washington Law Help – Free legal information and resources

You can also use RentCheckMe to check if your building is likely covered based on property information.

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is a high-level overview of Washington's Rent Increase Cap (HB 1217) as it applies in Des Moines. It does not cover every exception and does not constitute legal advice.

Laws may change, and how they apply depends on your specific situation. For binding guidance, consult with a qualified attorney, the Tenants Union of Washington State, or Washington Law Help.

Frequently Asked Questions