Washington Security Deposit Law

Washington security deposit law generally requires a landlord to send a full and specific statement, required supporting documentation, and any refund due within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises.

The core statutes are RCW 59.18.260, RCW 59.18.270, and RCW 59.18.280. Together, they cover written rental agreements, move-in checklists, trust accounts, receipts, depository notices, deduction documentation, refund timing, and remedies.

For the source-focused version, see the Washington security deposit statute guide.

The rule in plain English

• Deadline: 30 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant vacates the premises.
• Statement: the landlord must provide a full and specific statement explaining what was kept and why.
• Documentation: damage deductions should be supported by estimates, invoices, receipts, vendor documents, or labor and hourly-rate records.
• Refund: any refund due must be sent with the statement and documentation.
• Delivery: the response may be personally delivered or mailed first class to the tenant's last known address within 30 days.

Written rental agreement and move-in checklist

Washington landlords generally cannot collect a security deposit unless the rental agreement is in writing and the landlord provides a written move-in checklist at the start of the tenancy.

The checklist matters later. A landlord generally cannot deduct repair or replacement costs for fixtures, equipment, appliances, or furnishings if their condition was not reasonably documented in the checklist.

Trust account, receipt, and depository notice

Washington requires deposit money to be held in a trust account. The tenant should receive a written receipt and written notice of the deposit's depository information.

If landlord status changes, deposit transfer and depository notice issues may matter. Keep any ownership-transfer or management-change notices.

Allowed and weak deductions

Washington does not allow deposit deductions for wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises. A carpet-cleaning deduction requires documented wear to the carpet beyond ordinary use.

Damage deductions should be supported. If the landlord or an employee performs work, the statement should include time spent and a reasonable hourly rate. If materials or supplies are charged, vendor documents should support those costs.

If the landlord does not comply

If the landlord fails to timely provide the required statement, documentation, and refund, Washington can make the landlord liable for the full amount of the deposit.

A court may, in its discretion, award up to two times the deposit for intentional refusal to provide the statement, documentation, or refund due. That is not automatic double damages in every dispute.

Nonrefundable fees

Washington treats nonrefundable fees separately from deposits. A fee should not be called a deposit, and if a fee is not clearly specified as nonrefundable in a written rental agreement, it may be treated like a refundable deposit.

Related Washington guides

• Washington security deposit deadline
• Washington security deposit demand letter
• What can a Washington landlord deduct?
• Washington security deposit evidence guide

The free guide above explains the Washington rule. The paid system gives you the Washington-specific letters in order, so you are not guessing what to send next.

Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice.