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Seattle, Washington

Seattle Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notices, rent control, and more for Seattle, Washington.

How we research these summaries

Every rule on this page is drawn from state statutes and municipal codes and summarized with AI assistance. Each one cites the statute it's based on and links to a published text of that law so you can read it firsthand. Where a page says a city or county has no local rule on a topic, that means none was found for the topics covered here — not that none exists. Local governments also regulate rental housing in ways these pages don't track, including registration, licensing, inspections and habitability standards. These summaries may be incomplete or out of date, laws change often, and every property and tenancy has specifics a summary can't capture — so treat this as a starting point for your own research, not as legal advice, and check with the local jurisdiction and a qualified attorney before acting on your particular situation.

What to Know in Seattle

Sources last checked August 2026

Seattle has some of the strongest tenant protections in the United States. Key Seattle-specific protections include: just-cause eviction requirements (SMC 22.206.160) with 16 approved reasons, 180 days' written notice before any rent increase, security deposit capped at 1 month's rent for unfurnished units, first-in-time tenant selection rules, and economic displacement relocation assistance for large rent increases. Washington state's HB 1217 (May 2025) added a statewide rent cap of 7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is less, and requires 90 days' notice for rent increases.

  • An indigent tenant residing in Seattle and named in an unlawful-detainer suit has the right to free legal counsel.
  • If a landlord screens for registry information permitted under SMC 14.09.025, the landlord must state that screening criterion in the written application notice and inform...
  • Any Seattle residential rental agreement or renewal entered into after November 8, 2021 must include, or is deemed to include, a provision requiring advance written notice...
  • Termination based on owner or immediate-family move-in generally requires 90 days' advance written notice.
  • A landlord may not increase periodic or monthly housing costs by any amount if SDCI has determined that the unit does not comply with applicable Seattle rental-housing...
  • Security deposits capped at 1.0× first full month rent
  • 20-day move-out notice required for month-to-month tenancies
7 rules summarized · Each linked to the law it cites

Seattle Local Rules

Required Landlord Disclosures

What are the required landlord disclosures rules in Seattle?

An indigent tenant residing in Seattle and named in an unlawful-detainer suit has the right to free legal counsel. Representation must be made available as soon as practicable after service of the summons and generally continues until the complaint is withdrawn, the case is dismissed, or judgment is entered. Required Right to Legal Counsel language must appear in Chapter 22.205 notices; omission is a defense to eviction.

SMC § 22.206.195; Ordinance No. 126301; Director's Rule 9-2021
Required Landlord Disclosures

What are the required landlord disclosures rules in Seattle?

If a landlord screens for registry information permitted under SMC 14.09.025, the landlord must state that screening criterion in the written application notice and inform applicants that they may provide supplemental information concerning rehabilitation, good conduct, and facts or explanations regarding the registry information.

SMC 14.09.020 and 14.09.025
Required Landlord Disclosures

What are the required landlord disclosures rules in Seattle?

Any Seattle residential rental agreement or renewal entered into after November 8, 2021 must include, or is deemed to include, a provision requiring advance written notice before periodic or monthly housing costs increase. Housing costs include basic rent and periodic or monthly fees for other services paid to the landlord. Usage-based utility charges are generally excluded unless the tenant's obligation to pay them is being changed.

SMC § 7.24.030(A); Ordinance 126450
Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Seattle?

Termination based on owner or immediate-family move-in generally requires 90 days' advance written notice. The Director may reduce the notice period to no less than 20 days upon demonstrated personal hardship.

SMC Chapter 22.205
Rent Control / Rent Increase Caps

Is there rent control in Seattle?

A landlord may not increase periodic or monthly housing costs by any amount if SDCI has determined that the unit does not comply with applicable Seattle rental-housing inspection standards. If the unit is found noncompliant after a tenant requests an inspection, the increase may be delayed or prohibited until compliance is established.

SMC 22.206.180(I)
Security Deposit Limits

What is the security deposit limit in Seattle?

The combined security deposit and nonrefundable move-in fees may not exceed the tenant's first full month's rent. For rent not paid monthly, the rent must be prorated to an equivalent monthly amount.

SMC 7.24.030; Ordinance 125222

Applicable Washington State Rules

These state-level rules apply in Seattle where no local override exists.

Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice State Law

What is the move-out notice requirement in Seattle?

For month-to-month or other periodic tenancies, RCW 59.18.200 requires either the landlord or tenant to provide at least 20 days' written notice preceding the end of the rental period to terminate the tenancy. The notice must be delivered before the last 20 days of the rental period — the day of delivery does not count toward the 20 days. For fixed-term leases, the lease end date serves as termination; the landlord must provide at least 20 days' written notice of non-renewal if they do not intend to continue the tenancy. Under HB 1217 (2025), landlords must also provide at least 90 days' written notice before the end of a lease term if the reason for non-renewal is for purposes that would otherwise constitute a rent increase or material change in tenancy terms.

RCW 59.18.200

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