Rent Stabilization in Washington

A practical guide to Washington's statewide rent increase cap (HB 1217), including coverage criteria, rent increase limits, and tenant protections.

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1. Overview of Washington's Rent Increase Cap

Washington's statewide rent increase cap, House Bill 1217 (HB 1217), was passed in 2025 and applies to all residential rental properties throughout Washington that are subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18). Unlike some states that exempt properties based on construction year, Washington's law applies to all covered properties after the first 12 months of tenancy.

The law limits how much landlords can increase rent each year. The maximum allowable rent increase is calculated annually by the Washington State Department of Commerce and published after June CPI data is released (typically in early July).

2. Which Properties Are Covered?

All residential rental properties in Washington that are subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) are covered by HB 1217. This includes:

• Apartments and apartment buildings
• Single-family homes
• Condominiums and townhouses
• Duplexes, triplexes, and other multi-unit properties
• Manufactured/mobile home parks

Key Difference from Other States: Unlike Oregon, which exempts properties less than 15 years old, Washington's law applies to properties of all ages. The only requirement is that the property is subject to RCW 59.18 and the tenant has lived there for at least 12 months.

Exemptions: Properties that are exempt from the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) are not covered. This may include week-to-week tenancies and certain other property types as defined in RCW 59.18.710.

3. Rent Increase Caps

The maximum allowable rent increase is calculated as 7% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Seattle area, with an absolute cap of 10%, whichever is less.

Current Rent Caps

• 2025: Maximum rent increase of 10.0% (through December 31, 2025)
• 2026: Maximum rent increase of 9.683% (January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026)

The rent cap is recalculated annually by the Washington State Department of Commerce using the June 12-month percent change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The new rent cap for each calendar year is typically published in early July, after the June CPI data is released.

4. Key Protections and Requirements

12-Month Waiting Period

No rent increases are permitted during the first 12 months of tenancy. This protection applies to all covered properties, regardless of when they were built. After the first 12 months, rent increases are subject to the annual cap.

Frequency of Rent Increases

Landlords are permitted to raise rent only once within a 12-month period. This prevents landlords from implementing multiple smaller increases throughout the year to circumvent the annual cap.

Notice Requirements for Rent Increases

Landlords must provide written notice before a rent increase takes effect:

• Statewide: 90 days written notice is required
• Seattle: 180 days written notice is required (double the statewide requirement)

The notice must include:

• The amount of the rent increase
• The amount of the new rent
• The date on which the increase becomes effective

Seattle Special Requirement: Seattle has its own local ordinance requiring 180 days notice for rent increases, which provides tenants with additional time to prepare for rent changes.

5. How to Check If Your Property Is Covered

To determine if your property is covered by Washington's rent increase cap, you need to know:

1. Property type: Is it subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18)?
2. Tenancy duration: Have you lived in the unit for at least 12 months?
3. Location: Are you in Seattle (180-day notice) or elsewhere in Washington (90-day notice)?

You can use RentCheckMe's address checker to quickly determine if your property is covered and what rent increase cap applies.

Note: Unlike some states, Washington's law does not depend on the construction year of your building. All covered properties are subject to the rent cap after the first 12 months of tenancy.

6. Exemptions

Properties that are exempt from the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) are not covered by HB 1217. This may include:

• Week-to-week tenancies (may be exempt, depending on specific circumstances)
• Properties specifically exempted under RCW 59.18.710
• Other property types not subject to RCW 59.18

For specific questions about whether your property is exempt, consult with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization.

7. Penalties for Violations

Landlords who violate Washington's rent increase cap may face penalties under RCW 59.18.700. Tenants who believe their landlord has violated the law should:

• Document the violation (save notices, communications, etc.)
• Contact the Washington State Attorney General's Office or local housing authority
• Consult with a qualified attorney familiar with Washington landlord-tenant law
• Contact local tenant advocacy organizations for assistance

8. Annual Updates

The rent increase cap is recalculated annually by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The calculation uses:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
• All items in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, all urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted
• Base period: 1982-84=100
• Series ID: CUURS49DSA0

The new rent cap for each calendar year is typically published in early July, after the June CPI data is released. The cap applies to the entire following calendar year.

You can find the current rent cap on the Washington State Department of Commerce HB 1217 page.

9. Resources and Additional Information

For more information about Washington's rent increase cap, consult:

• Washington State Department of Commerce - HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center
• Tenants Union of Washington State - Rent Increase Rules
• Washington Law Help
• RCW 59.18.700 - Rent increase limitations
• RCW 59.18.710 - Exemptions
• Your local housing authority or tenant rights organization
• A qualified attorney familiar with Washington landlord-tenant law

Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations can change, and individual circumstances may vary. For specific legal questions about your rental situation, consult with a qualified attorney.