In 2025, Washington implemented statewide rent control through House Bill 1217. Under this law, landlords are prohibited from raising rent by more than 10% per year for existing tenants through December 31, 2025. This cap is calculated as 7% plus the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Seattle area, but it cannot exceed 10% within any 12-month period. Each June, the Department of Commerce will publish the maximum allowable increase for the following year, based on updated CPI data. For manufactured and mobile homes, the rent increase cap is set at 5% annually.
Landlords must provide at least 90 days’ written notice before any rent increase takes effect, an increase from the previous 60-day requirement. Additionally, rent increases are not permitted during the first 12 months of a new tenancy. When a new tenant moves in, landlords can set the initial rent at any rate, but subsequent increases are subject to the cap.
Certain rentals are exempt from these statewide limits. Exemptions include units in buildings less than 12 years old, owner-occupied homes renting out up to two units or bedrooms, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes where the owner lives in one unit, as well as public housing, nonprofit-owned affordable housing, and units regulated by other housing programs. These exemptions do not apply if the owner is a corporation or a real estate investment trust.
If a landlord raises rent above the cap without qualifying for an exemption, tenants can require the landlord to correct the violation or may terminate their lease with 20 days’ notice. Both tenants and the state Attorney General have the right to pursue legal action, and the Attorney General can recover up to $7,500 per violation. Tenants who receive a notice for a rent increase above the legal limit are encouraged to file complaints with the Attorney General’s office.
The new law is intended to provide greater stability and predictability for tenants by limiting rent increases and requiring longer notice periods. While some exemptions apply, most tenants will benefit from these protections. It is important for tenants to review any rent increase notices to ensure compliance with the cap and notice requirements, check for possible exemptions, and seek assistance from the Attorney General’s office or tenant advocacy organizations if necessary.
| Rule/Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Max Rent Increase (2025) | 10% per year (7% + CPI, max 10%) |
| Manufactured Home Cap | 5% per year |
| Notice Required | 90 days |
| No Increase in First Year | Yes |
| Exemptions | New buildings (<12 years), owner-occupied, public/nonprofit housing |
| Enforcement | Tenant/state action, $7,500 penalty |
Sources
[1] https://www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-announces-10-rent-cap-for-the-rest-of-2025/
[2] https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/07/washington-rent-cap-signed-into-law/
[3] https://www.stoel.com/insights/publications/washington-enacts-statewide-rent-control-key-rules-now-in-effect
[4] https://www.multifamilynw.org/news/wa-state-house-bill-1217—limits-to-rent-increases-changes-to-notice-requirements-and-tenancy-rules
[5] https://www.atg.wa.gov/landlord-tenant
