How much can a landlord raise rent in washington state

Rental prices are increasing since there are no longer pandemic restrictions on raising rates.

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Washington tenant rights
PDFRCW 59.18.140
Reasonable obligations or restrictions—Tenant's duty to conform—Landlord's duty to provide written notice in increase of rent.
How much can a landlord raise rent in Washington 2022?
What is the most a landlord can raise your rent in Washington state?
What is the most a landlord can raise rent?
What is the average rent increase per year in Washington state?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an eviction moratorium did not allow landlords in Washington state to raise rent prices, but this restriction was lifted in June 2021. Since then, rental prices have continued to rise across Washington state.

Knowing your rights as a tenant is extremely important to avoid costly situations or paying higher rent than you legally should. Cities in Washington may have varying laws than Washington state’s, so tenants can visit their city’s website for more information.

The Northwest Justice Project has created WashingtonLawHelp.org to help Washington citizens better understand laws, but also to help tenants and landlords alike know their legal rights and obligations of renting.

Washington tenant rights

▪ Your landlord is allowed to raise your rent, but only if they send you a notice at least 60 days before the increase. The notice must be written on paper and cannot be an email, text or call. If a rent increase warning comes less than 60 days before the increase, talk to a lawyer immediately.

▪ Your landlord cannot raise your rent during a rental contract. They can only raise the rent after the contract is up, but are still required to give a notice of rent increase 60 days before.

▪ There is no rent control in Washington state, so landlords can raise your rent at their discretion.

▪ If your landlord increased your rent but you cannot afford it, there are a few things you can do. You can ask your landlord to change the date your rent is due. If you believe your landlord is increasing your rent to force you to move out, you can talk to a lawyer.

▪ A landlord can change terms in the tenancy, but only after giving written notice of the change 30 days in advance.

▪ Your landlord is not allowed to enter your apartment without at least one day’s notice, lock you out of your apartment, or take your personal belongings.

▪ Your landlord can only shut off your utilities to make repairs.

▪ If your landlord is selling the property you are renting and needs you to move out, they must give you a 90-day written notice.

▪ Your landlord cannot retaliate against you in, such as increasing rent prices or reducing services. If you believe your landlord is retaliating against a complaint or stating your rights, talk to a lawyer.

▪ After you move out, your landlord must give your deposit back within 21 days, or a letter stating why they are keeping any of it.

▪ A landlord must have a “good” and “legal” reason to ask you to move out or end a rental agreement.

Alyse Messmer-Smith is a service journalism reporter at the Bellingham Herald. If you like stories like this, please consider supporting our work with a subscription to our newspaper.

PDFRCW 59.18.140

Reasonable obligations or restrictions—Tenant's duty to conform—Landlord's duty to provide written notice in increase of rent.

(1) The tenant shall conform to all reasonable obligations or restrictions, whether denominated by the landlord as rules, rental agreement, rent, or otherwise, concerning the use, occupation, and maintenance of his or her dwelling unit, appurtenances thereto, and the property of which the dwelling unit is a part if such obligations and restrictions are not in violation of any of the terms of this chapter and are not otherwise contrary to law, and if such obligations and restrictions are brought to the attention of the tenant at the time of his or her initial occupancy of the dwelling unit and thus become part of the rental agreement.

(2) Except for termination of tenancy and an increase in the amount of rent, after thirty days written notice to each affected tenant, a new rule of tenancy may become effective upon completion of the term of the rental agreement or sooner upon mutual consent.

(3)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a landlord shall provide a minimum of sixty days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant, and any increase in the amount of rent may not become effective prior to the completion of the term of the rental agreement.

(b) If the rental agreement governs a subsidized tenancy where the amount of rent is based on the income of the tenant or circumstances specific to the subsidized household, a landlord shall provide a minimum of thirty days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant. An increase in the amount of rent may become effective upon completion of the term of the rental agreement or sooner upon mutual consent.

How much can a landlord raise rent in Washington 2022?

Your landlord cannot raise your rent during a rental contract. They can only raise the rent after the contract is up, but are still required to give a notice of rent increase 60 days before. There is no rent control in Washington state, so landlords can raise your rent at their discretion.

What is the most a landlord can raise your rent in Washington state?

There is no rent control in Washington State. A landlord may raise the rent as much as they want in most situations.

What is the most a landlord can raise rent?

Landlord may increase rent once every 12 months, limited to 3% of the current rent, or the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is higher. Rent increases are expressly subject to the provisions of AB 1482 California Tenant Protections Act (Cal. Civ.