How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Washington?
In Washington, a landlord who screens applicants itself may charge only its actual costs of obtaining the background information — no more than a screening service customarily charges in the area — and only after giving the written notice the statute requires. A violation can cost the landlord up to $100 plus attorney fees and court costs. This is RCW 59.18.257(1).
| What | Washington |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Actual cost, no more than the local screening rate |
Notes
A violation can cost the landlord up to $100 plus attorney fees and court costs.
Source
RCW 59.18.257(1) — last checked 2026-09-16.
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 what the state allows a landlord to charge somebody applying to rent, so a fee can be checked against it before it is advertised or collected.
Compare this rule in every state
More Washington rules
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Washington?
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Washington?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in Washington?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Washington?
- Is there a grace period for paying rent in Washington?
- Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in Washington?
- Does a landlord need a reason to evict a tenant in Washington?
- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in Washington?
- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in Washington?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in Washington?
- Is a capital improvement exempt from sales tax in Washington?
- Is appliance repair taxable in Washington?
- Is contractor labor taxable in Washington?
- Every Washington rule on one page