When Can a Landlord Increase My Rent in Washington?

In Washington, there is no limit to the amount a landlord can increase the rent. In fact, rent control is illegal under state law. However, unless your lease says it’s allowed, your landlord cannot raise the rent during a fixed-term lease. If you’re a month-to-month tenant, your landlord can increase the rent whenever they want—as long as they give you 30 days' written notice. If your landlord doesn’t give you proper notice, but you still pay the new, increased rent amount, you forfeit your right to claim that the rent increase was not carried out legally.

Seattle law diverges from state law regarding rent increases: if your landlord in Seattle is planning to increase the rent by more than 10%, they must give you 60 days' written notice.

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