Starting May 7, 2025, Washington housing providers are constrained with new rent controls and the Legislature enacted additional rent increase notice rules statewide. But, as you can see below, municipal and state regulations create a patchwork maze of regulation providers must navigate.
New Statewide Rent Control Rules.
- No rent increase may be given in first 12 months of tenancy.
- No increase greater than 7% plus CPI, or 10% whichever is less, over any 12-month period.
- You must provide a minimum of ninety days’ prior written notice of rent increase and any increase may not become effective prior to the end of the term of the rental agreement.
- Rent increase must be served per RCW 59.12.040 to each tenant using the statutory form on page one of this packet. See RHAWA Form Service Instructions & Declaration of Service in the Tenant Notice section of forms page.
- 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.
- NOTE: Under WA State law, rent is defined as all periodic recurring housing costs paid directly to the landlord.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT RENT INCREASE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS
Under Washington State Law RCW 59.18.140 the minimum notice period is 90 days, but many local governments require a longer notice period.
- City of Auburn: Any total rent increase greater than 5% requires 120 days notice. Formal service per RCW 59.12.040 is required for any rent increase.
- City of Bellingham: Any total rent increase requires 120 days’ notice. If the total rent increase is 8% or more over a 12 month rolling period, the notice shall be delivered in the manner required by RCW 59.12.040 and shall include the following:
- the amount of the increase;
- the total amount of the new rent or associated housing costs;
- the date when the increase becomes effective;
- a rationale for the rent increase;
- the total amount of relocation assistance available under the Bellingham Municipal Code to tenants of the unit upon displacement; and
- the rights of under the Bellingham Municipal Code (a) to request economic displacement relocation assistance within 45 days of receipt of the increase notice; (b) that if the tenant receives relocation assistance as provided under the Bellingham Municipal Code, the tenant shall have a relocation period of 5 months from the date of receipt of the assistance; and (c) that at the conclusion of the relocation period, if the tenant remains in the dwelling unit, the tenant shall be obligated to pay the increased rent in accordance with the increase notice for the duration of the tenant’s occupancy and to repay the relocation assistance.
- The tenant may provide a request for relocation assistance to the landlord within 45 days of receiving the notice of rent increase. Within 31 calendar days of receiving the tenant’s notice, the landlord shall pay: Either a sum equaling three times the current fair market rent for Bellingham, WA as defined by HUD Office of Policy Development and Research for an apartment of the same size; or three times the tenant’s existing monthly rent, whichever is larger. The landlord shall notify the city of all requests for relocation assistance within 30 days of each request and of all payments of relocation assistance within 30 days of each payment. The economic displacement relocation payment requirement does not apply to: (a) A landlord and tenant living on the same site if the site has four or fewer dwelling units; (b) Tenants who have lived in the dwelling unit for less than six months; or (c) Transitional housing.
- City of Burien: Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 days notice. Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice. A tenant that receives a rent increase notice may terminate the lease at any time and owe only pro rata rent through the last date they occupy the rental unit. Formal service per RCW 59.12.040 is required for any rent increase.
- City of Issaquah: Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 days notice.
- City of Kenmore: Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 days notice. Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice.
- City of Kirkland: Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 days notice. Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice.
- City of Olympia:
- Any total rent increase greater than 5% requires 120 days notice.
- Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice.
- Formal service per RCW 59.12.040 is suggested for all rent increases and required for any rent increase greater than 5%.
- Any notice for increase of Rent greater than 5% requires completing the following on on page 1 of the Rent Increase Notice Form: a) filling in the amount and percent of increase;
- entering rationale for increase under “Comments”;
- checking the box for the Olympia disclosure. Note: Tenant is eligible for Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance with rent in-creases of 7% or more.
- City of Port Townsend: Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 days notice. Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice.
- City of Redmond: Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 days notice. Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice.
- City of Seattle:
- Any total rent increase requires 180 days’ notice.
- In all cases, Seattle would prefer RCW 59.12.040 delivery. At minimum, they require documentation of the delivery date, such as a timestamped photo of posted notice or confirmation of delivery from postal service , such as USPS Tracking. If postal service requires signature, notice must also be sent by regular first class mail. Electronic delivery only, such as emails or portals, or only untracked mail is insufficient.
- If the increase is for 10% or more over the lowest rate in the past 12 months, the notice of increase must be delivered to each adult at the unit by either hand-delivery or mailing both by certified mail with return receipt requested and by regular US mail.
- If the increase is for 10% or more, the notice must also include the Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance Notice.
- City of SeaTac: Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 days notice. Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice.
- City of Shoreline:
- “Base Rent” means a recurring and periodic charge identified in the rental agreement for use and occupancy of a dwelling or dwelling unit. Base Rent may include charges for utilities but does not include those the charges defined as Optional Rent.
- “Optional Rent” means recurring and periodic charges identified in the rental agreement that are not required for use and occupancy but that a tenant voluntarily agrees to, such as charges for a parking space or a pet.
- “Rent” means the total combined amount of Base Rent and Optional Rent.
- Any “Base Rent” increase greater than 3% but less than 10% requires 120 days written notice. Any “Base Rent” increase of 10% or greater requires 180 days notice.
- An “Optional Rent” increase of any amount requires at least 60 days’ prior written notice to each affected tenant.
- City of Spokane: Any total rent increase equal to or less than 3% requires 120-day notice. Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 180-day notice. Rental increase notices must also be served in accordance with RCW 59.12.040 (personal service, and if not personal service, must post and certify mail to each recipient).
- City of Tacoma: Consult your attorney before using this form for rent increases within the City of Tacoma. Tacoma municipal code TMC 1.95 and 1.100 require use of rent increase notice forms provided by the city at https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/community-and-economic-development/housing-division/renting-in-tacoma/#landlord-resources.
- City of Tumwater: Any total rent increase greater than 5% requires 120 days notice. Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice. Formal service per RCW 59.12.040 is required for all rent increases.
- City of Woodinville: Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 days notice. Any total rent increase greater than 10% requires 180 days notice. Any increase in fees charged to a tenant shall be deemed to be a rent increase, along with any increase in base rent.
- King County (unincorporated): Any total rent increase greater than 3% requires 120 notice.
Paine Hamblen’s Housing Law team, led by Shareholder and Landlord attorney Mack Mayo can assist you with compliance with ever-evolving state, local, and federal housing laws. This area of law has become incredibly complex. Attempting compliance as an unrepresented landlord is highly discouraged.
This post is for informational purposes only and is only valid through the date of posting. Information herein may be outdated or inaccurate. Reviewing this post does not create an attorney-client relationship. Refer any questions you have to your legal counsel.
