Is there rent control in Washington?
Yes. In Washington, a landlord may not raise the rent during the first 12 months of a tenancy, and after that by no more than 7% plus the Seattle-area Consumer Price Index or 10%, whichever is less, in any 12-month period, which is 9.683% for 2026, with at least 90 days’ written notice. Units whose first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 or fewer years before the notice, many nonprofit and public housing units, and some owner-occupied homes and small buildings are exempt. This is RCW 59.18.700, 59.18.710.
| What | Washington |
|---|---|
| Rent control | Statewide: 9.683% for 2026 |
| What the law does | Caps rent increases statewide |
Source
Read the statute in the Revised Code of Washington (Washington State Legislature): app.leg.wa.gov.
Checked against the statute on October 23, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
This page states whether the state lets its cities control rent, and any statewide limit on an increase, so a renewal can be checked before it is offered. In New York City, Seayora’s rent-increase advisor goes further: it computes the highest increase the Rent Guidelines Board order and the Good Cause standard allow for each apartment, with the law cited, and gives no number where the law is not verified.
Guides on this rule
- Statewide Rent Caps in California, Oregon and Washington (2026) — How the three statewide rent caps work in 2026: the formulas, this year’s maximum increases, notice periods, first-year limits and who is exempt.
Compare this rule in every state
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