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Washington room rental agreement
Written for Washington law, checked September 24, 2026 General information, not legal advice
Rentari offers a general room-rental agreement form, but it is not tailored to Washington or every local rule. Review the room, shared spaces, occupancy requirements, and applicable Washington and city rules before using a form. The state table below covers selected deposit and entry rules, not every room-rental requirement.
Washington rules that apply
Security deposit limit
Not set by statuteWashington sets no statewide cap on the amount of a security deposit. It controls how a deposit is taken instead: the lease must be in writing and say when the deposit may be kept, a signed move-in checklist must come first, and a tenant can ask to pay it in installments.
More detail (8)
- On a tenant's written request, a landlord must let the tenant pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments: three equal monthly payments for a term of three months or more, two otherwise. This is not required when deposits and nonrefundable fees total no more than 25 percent of the first full month's rent and last month's rent is not due at the start. RCW 59.18.610(1), (2)
- No fee or interest may be charged for paying in installments, the schedule must be in writing and signed by both, and refusing a written request costs one month's rent plus the tenant's attorneys' fees. RCW 59.18.610(3), (5)
- A fee or deposit to hold a unit after it is offered may not be more than 25 percent of the first month's rent, needs a receipt and a written statement of when it may be kept, and must be credited to the first month's rent or the deposit if the tenant moves in. RCW 59.18.253(2) to (4)
- Money that is nonrefundable may never be called a deposit. A nonrefundable fee needs a written lease that says clearly it is nonrefundable; otherwise it is treated as a refundable deposit. RCW 59.18.285
- A landlord may offer a recurring fee in lieu of a deposit only as an option the tenant is free to refuse, with the statutory disclosure form, a signed move-in checklist, and insurance bought with the fee. RCW 59.18.670(1), (2)
- Seattle adds a combined limit: the security deposit and nonrefundable move-in fees together may not exceed the first full month's rent, prorated monthly when rent is not paid monthly. Section 7.24.035 does not apply to a tenant renting a housing unit in a single-family residence that is the owner's principal residence. Nonrefundable move-in fees normally have a separate 10% limit, with a limited exception for screening-report costs. These city rules do not set a higher deposit limit for furnished units. Seattle Municipal Code 7.24.035
- For Seattle deposits and move-in fees, the tenant may elect six equal monthly installments for a term of six months or longer, up to four equal installments for a term between 30 days and six months, or two for month-to-month. The city excludes screening reimbursements paid before the tenancy from those schedules and has an exception when the combined deposit and fees are no more than 25% of the first month's rent and last month's rent is not required at the start. No installment fee or interest is allowed; an agreed alternative schedule belongs in the lease. The owner-residence exception in section 7.24.035(H) also applies. Seattle Municipal Code 7.24.035
- Seattle limits the total pet damage deposit to 25% of the first full month's rent, prorated monthly if needed. No pet deposit may be required for an assistance animal, though actual animal damage may still be claimed. State the pet deposit in the lease or a later addendum; the tenant may choose three equal monthly installments starting when the pet moves in, or an agreed alternative. Use this deposit only for pet-caused damage for which the tenant is responsible. The city prohibits other fees for keeping a pet. Seattle Municipal Code 7.24.038
The Rentari Washington lease states the deposit amount and sets out the trust account, receipt, checklist and return rules; it states no statewide cap.
Landlord entry
Except in an emergency or where it is impracticable, give at least two days' written notice before entering and enter only at reasonable times. The notice states the exact date and time, or a window with the earliest and latest times, and a telephone number the tenant can use to object or reschedule. One day's notice is enough to show the unit to prospective or actual buyers or tenants.
More detail (4)
- The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, supply services, or show the unit. RCW 59.18.150(1)
- You may enter without consent in an emergency or when the unit has been abandoned. Beyond entry with notice for the purposes above, you have no other right of access except by court order, arbitrator or the tenant's consent. RCW 59.18.150(5), (7)
- Do not abuse the right of access, use it to harass the tenant, or show the unit excessively. RCW 59.18.150(6)
- After one good-faith written notice listing a violation, a landlord or tenant who keeps violating these rules is liable for up to $100 per violation, plus costs and attorneys' fees. RCW 59.18.150(8)
The lease requires two days' written notice stating the time or window and a telephone number for objections, one day's notice for showings, and entry only at reasonable times except in an emergency.