Rent Increase Rules in Washington: 9.683% for increases effecti (2026)

Quick answer

Yes — Washington caps annual rent increases. Washington enacted its first statewide rent cap (HB 1217, signed 2025-05-07): after the first 12 months of a tenancy, increases are capped at the lesser of 7% plus CPI (Seattle-area CPI-U, June 12-month change) or 10%, once per 12 months. The published maximum for 1/1/2026-12/31/2026 is 9.683% (WA Dept of Commerce); 2027 = 10% (ceiling reached). 90 days' notice required.

The cap formula

Max annual increase = lesser of (a) 10% or (b) 7% + the June 12-month percent change in CPI-U (all items, not seasonally adjusted, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue; BLS Series CUURS49DSA0). WA Dept of Commerce calculates and publishes the calendar-year maximum each year beginning June 1, 2025 (RCW 59.18.700(1)(a),(c)). Example from Commerce: 2026 = ((364.344-354.824)/354.824)+0.07 = 9.683%.

For the current period, that works out to 9.683% for increases effective 1/1/2026-12/31/2026; 10% for calendar 2027 (calculation exceeded ceiling). No increase is allowed during the first 12 months of any tenancy..

Who is exempt

RCW 59.18.710: units with first certificate of occupancy issued 12 or fewer years before the notice; public housing/development authorities; nonprofits with rents regulated by affordable-housing programs; qualified LIHTC developments with regulatory agreements; units where the tenant shares a bathroom/kitchen with the owner-resident; single-family owner-occupied residences (renting up to 2 units/bedrooms incl. ADUs); owner-occupied duplex/triplex/fourplex (owner's principal residence at tenancy start) - the owner-occupied exemptions (e)-(g) do not apply where the owner is a REIT, corporation, or LLC with a corporate member. Vacancy resets allowed (rent may be adjusted after tenancy ends). Manufactured/mobile home lots: lower 5% cap (per Stoel Rives analysis of HB 1217; corresponding RCW section not directly opened). Caps expire July 1, 2040 (sunset).

Notice requirements

At least 90 days' prior written notice for rent increases (RCW 59.18.140, lengthened from 60 days by HB 1217); minimum 30 days' notice for subsidized tenancies where rent is income-based. Cities may require longer notice.

Local rules that go further

Statewide uniform cap; local governments may impose longer notice periods but no lower caps known (per JD Supra/Stoel Rives summary).

How Washington's cap compares

Only a handful of states cap annual rent increases statewide. Current-period caps side by side:

FAQ

What is the maximum rent increase in Washington?

Max annual increase = lesser of (a) 10% or (b) 7% + the June 12-month percent change in CPI-U (all items, not seasonally adjusted, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue; BLS Series CUURS49DSA0). WA Dept of Commerce calculates and publishes the calendar-year maximum each year beginning June 1, 2025 (RCW 59.18.700(1)(a),(c)). Example from Commerce: 2026 = ((364.344-354.824)/354.824)+0.07 = 9.683%. For the current period that works out to 9.683% for increases effective 1/1/2026-12/31/2026; 10% for calendar 2027 (calculation exceeded ceiling). No increase is allowed during the first 12 months of any tenancy. Exemptions apply — see the exemptions section.

How much notice does my landlord have to give?

At least 90 days' prior written notice for rent increases (RCW 59.18.140, lengthened from 60 days by HB 1217); minimum 30 days' notice for subsidized tenancies where rent is income-based. Cities may require longer notice.

Does the cap apply to every rental?

No — RCW 59.18.710: units with first certificate of occupancy issued 12 or fewer years before the notice; public housing/development authorities; nonprofits with rents regulated by affordable-housing programs; qualified LIHTC developments with regulatory agreements; units where the tenant shares a bathroom/kitchen with the owner-resident; single-family owner-occupied residences (renting up to 2 units/bedrooms incl. ADUs); owner-occupied duplex/triplex/fourplex (owner's principal residence at tenancy start) - the owner-occupied exemptions (e)-(g) do not apply where the owner is a REIT, corporation, or LLC with a corporate member. Vacancy resets allowed (rent may be adjusted after tenancy ends). Manufactured/mobile home lots: lower 5% cap (per Stoel Rives analysis of HB 1217; corresponding RCW section not directly opened). Caps expire July 1, 2040 (sunset).

The statute behind it

| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | Engrossed Substitute HB 1217 (2025 session, signed 2025-05-07), codified as RCW 59.18.700 (cap/notice/enforcement), 59.18.710 (exemptions), 59.18.140 (90-day notice); 2025 c 209 s 104. | | Official text | app.leg.wa.gov | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |

Related guides

• All states: security deposit interest by state · rent increase rules by state
• Tools: deposit interest calculator · rent increase calculator
• Neighboring states: California · District of Columbia
• Also moving? Read Washington security deposit interest rules.

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