Washington Security Deposit Laws: No Cap, the 30-Day Return, and the Checklist Rule
No Statutory Cap · Move-In Checklist · Trust Account · 30-Day Return · Itemized Statement · Penalties
Washington security deposit law is set by one chapter of the Revised Code of Washington — chapter 59.18, the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act — and it is different from most states in two ways landlords miss. First, Washington sets no statutory dollar cap on the deposit amount. Second, and more surprising, a Washington landlord may not lawfully collect any deposit at all unless two conditions are met up front: the rental agreement is in writing, and a signed move-in condition checklist is delivered to the tenant. This guide walks the whole Washington framework end to end: what you may collect, the checklist precondition under section 59.18.260, the trust-account and depository-notice rules under 59.18.270, what you can and cannot deduct, the thirty-day return deadline under 59.18.280, nonrefundable fees under 59.18.285, the mandatory installment options under 59.18.610, and the penalty a court can impose when a landlord keeps a deposit wrongfully.
The rules below apply the same across Washington, because chapter 59.18 governs statewide. What varies is the layer some cities add on top — Seattle, for instance, imposes its own deposit and installment rules that go beyond state law. Where a local rule matters, this guide flags it so you know to check the ordinance for the city where your unit sits. Everything here is general information, not legal advice; confirm the current figures and consult a licensed Washington attorney before acting on a specific dispute.
Below, a short overview video summarizes the Washington deposit rules; the sections that follow break down each piece in detail — the no-cap reality and its practical limits, the checklist and trust-account preconditions, deductions versus wear from ordinary use, the return timeline, nonrefundable fees, penalties, the move-out walkthrough, and the small-claims path if a dispute cannot be resolved.
Washington Security Deposit Rules at a Glance
Primary Statute
RCW chapter 59.18
Deposit Cap
No statewide cap
Return Deadline
30 days after vacating
Wrongful-Withholding Penalty
Full deposit, up to twice for intentional refusal
No Statutory Cap — but Two Preconditions You Cannot Skip
The first thing to understand is that Washington, unlike California or many eastern states, sets no statewide dollar or months limit on how large a residential security deposit may be. Chapter 59.18 of the Revised Code of Washington names no maximum. In practice, most Washington landlords collect somewhere between one and two months’ rent, and the market, not a statute, sets the ceiling. What Washington regulates instead is the manner in which a deposit is taken, held, and returned — and there the rules are strict.
Two preconditions decide whether a landlord may collect a deposit at all. Both come from section 59.18.260 of the Revised Code of Washington, and missing either one is not a technicality — it means the landlord cannot lawfully keep the deposit.
Precondition One: A Written Rental Agreement
No deposit may be collected unless the rental agreement is in writing. An oral month-to-month arrangement, however common, does not support a security deposit under Washington law. If a landlord takes a deposit on a handshake tenancy, the deposit is not enforceable and the tenant can recover it.
Precondition Two: A Signed Move-In Condition Checklist
The rule that trips up the most Washington landlords is the checklist. Under section 59.18.260, the landlord must give the tenant, at the start of the tenancy, a written checklist or statement describing the condition and cleanliness of the premises — the fixtures, equipment, appliances, and furnishings. The checklist must be signed and dated by both the landlord and the tenant, and the tenant must be given a copy. Skip it, and the consequence is severe: a landlord who collects a deposit without providing the checklist is liable to the tenant for the amount of the deposit, and the prevailing party can recover court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
No Checklist Means No Enforceable Deposit
This is the single most overlooked rule in Washington deposit law. It is not enough to collect a deposit and hold it correctly; if there was never a signed move-in condition checklist, the landlord cannot retain any of the deposit — even for genuine, documented damage — and is liable to the tenant for the full amount. Complete a room-by-room checklist, have the tenant sign and date it, and hand over a copy before or when the deposit is paid. Verify the current requirement, but treat the checklist as the gateway to every other deposit right.
| Washington Requirement | What the Statute Says |
|---|---|
| Deposit amount cap | No statewide cap (chapter 59.18); local caps such as Seattle’s may apply |
| Written rental agreement | Required before any deposit may be collected (59.18.260) |
| Move-in condition checklist | Signed and dated by both parties, copy to tenant, before deposit is enforceable (59.18.260) |
| Where the deposit is held | Trust account at a Washington financial institution or escrow agent (59.18.270) |
| Return deadline | 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates (59.18.280) |
Takeaway
Washington sets no statutory deposit cap, but a landlord may not collect a deposit at all without a written lease and a signed move-in checklist under section 59.18.260. Collect a deposit without that checklist and you owe the tenant the full amount — even for real damage. Verify the current rule before you set or collect any deposit.
Holding the Deposit: Trust Account, Receipt, and Bank Notice
Once a landlord may lawfully collect a deposit, section 59.18.270 of the Revised Code of Washington controls how it must be held. Washington does not let a landlord simply pool deposit money in a personal account.
The Trust-Account Requirement
All deposit money must be promptly placed in a trust account with a financial institution or a licensed escrow agent located in Washington. This is a genuine holding rule, not a bookkeeping suggestion — the deposit is the tenant’s money, held in trust, until the tenancy ends.
The Receipt and the Written Bank Notice
Two written documents go to the tenant. First, the landlord must provide a written receipt for the deposit. Second, the landlord must give written notice of the name, address, and location of the depository — in plain terms, which bank or escrow agent holds the money and where. If the landlord later moves the deposit to a different institution, the tenant must be notified of that change too.
Who Keeps the Interest?
Because the deposit sits in a real account, it can earn interest. Under section 59.18.270, unless the rental agreement says otherwise in writing, the landlord is entitled to any interest earned on the trust-account deposit. Washington has no requirement to pay a tenant interest on a deposit. A tenant earns interest only if the written lease specifically grants it — which is uncommon. This is the opposite of a handful of states and cities that mandate tenant interest, so do not assume a payout is owed. Verify the current rule.
Takeaway
Hold every deposit in a Washington trust account, give the tenant a written receipt and written notice of the bank, and update that notice if the money moves — all under section 59.18.270. Interest belongs to the landlord unless the lease grants it to the tenant. Verify the current rule.
What a Landlord May Deduct — and What Counts as Ordinary Use
Section 59.18.280 of the Revised Code of Washington limits what a landlord may take out of a deposit. The landlord bears the burden of justifying each deduction, so anything not clearly permitted is presumed to be the landlord’s cost to absorb. A point of terminology matters here: a 2023 amendment replaced the old phrase “normal wear and tear” with wear resulting from ordinary use, now defined in section 59.18.030 — the concept is unchanged, but the statutory words updated.
Permitted Deductions
- Unpaid rent. Rent owed for the final month or any earlier period.
- Unpaid utilities and other lawful charges. Utilities the landlord had to cover, and other charges the lease and the statute permit.
- Damage beyond wear from ordinary use. Holes in walls, broken fixtures, missing items, pet-stained flooring, and similar damage the tenant or their guests caused.
- Cleaning beyond ordinary turnover. The cost to remedy conditions worse than the unit’s move-in cleanliness — smoke damage, pet contamination, or unusual filth — not a blanket “make it spotless” charge.
Not Deductible — Wear From Ordinary Use
Wear from ordinary use is the natural deterioration that comes from living in a unit normally, and the landlord must absorb it. Washington treats these as non-deductible:
- Faded or lightly scuffed paint, and small nail holes from hanging pictures.
- Carpet worn thin along walkways from ordinary foot traffic, with no stains or pet damage.
- Minor marks, loose grout, or caulk that has aged around tubs and sinks.
- Worn but still-functioning appliances and fixtures that simply reached the end of their useful life.
The Prorating Rule for Paint and Carpet
Even when repainting or carpet replacement is justified by real damage, a landlord generally cannot charge the tenant the full cost of a brand-new surface. Paint and carpet have an expected useful life, so the charge should be prorated for age — a tenant who damaged a carpet already several years into its life should pay only for the remaining life, not a whole new carpet. Charging full price for an old surface is a common way Washington landlords lose deposit disputes.
The 2023 Documentation Requirement
A 2023 amendment added teeth to the itemization rule. For tenancies beginning on or after July twenty-third, 2023, a deduction for repairs or cleaning must be supported by receipts, invoices, or estimates provided to the tenant with the itemized statement. A bare line reading “cleaning” with a number no longer suffices — the landlord must show the cost. Verify how this applies to your tenancy’s start date.
Takeaway
You may deduct only for unpaid rent, unpaid utilities and lawful charges, and damage beyond wear from ordinary use — plus cleaning past ordinary turnover. Faded paint, worn carpet, and small nail holes are wear you absorb. Prorate paint and carpet for age, and back every repair or cleaning charge with a receipt, invoice, or estimate.
The 30-Day Return Deadline and the Itemized Statement
The deadline Washington landlords miss most is the return rule — and the number changed recently. Under section 59.18.280 of the Revised Code of Washington, within thirty days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord must deliver two things: any remaining portion of the deposit, and a full and specific written statement of the basis for keeping any of it, with the supporting documentation. The clock runs from when the tenant actually surrenders the unit, not from the lease’s stated end date.
It Is Thirty Days Now — Not Twenty-One
Older leases, form letters, and web pages still say twenty-one days, and some even say fourteen. Both are out of date. A 2023 amendment (House Bill 1074), effective July twenty-third, 2023, raised the return deadline to thirty days. If your template or your calendar still says twenty-one, correct it — but never assume a longer deadline gives you slack, and always verify the current number before you rely on it.
The Forwarding-Address Trigger
Washington practice ties the thirty-day clock to the tenant’s written forwarding address. The statement and refund are delivered or mailed to the address the tenant last provided or that is known to the landlord, and courts commonly treat receipt of a written forwarding address as what starts the landlord’s return obligation running. The practical lesson cuts both ways: a landlord should request the forwarding address in writing at move-out and keep proof, and a tenant should provide one in writing to start the clock and protect the right to a prompt return.
What the Itemized Statement Must Include
The statement must be full and specific — it must describe each deduction and its amount, not offer a vague total. For tenancies that began on or after July twenty-third, 2023, it must include the receipts, invoices, or estimates that support each repair or cleaning charge. “Cleaning — four hundred” is not itemization; “professional pet-odor remediation, invoice attached: four hundred” is. Specificity is what survives a small-claims challenge.
Takeaway
Return the deposit and a full itemized statement within thirty calendar days of the tenant vacating — the deadline rose from twenty-one to thirty in 2023. Tie the clock to a written forwarding address, describe every deduction specifically, and attach receipts, invoices, or estimates. Verify the current number and how your court applies the forwarding-address rule.
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding
Washington backs the deposit rules with real consequences, and the structure has two tiers that landlords often blur together. Under section 59.18.280 of the Revised Code of Washington:
- The full deposit — automatic on a missed deadline. A landlord who fails to give the required statement and refund within the deadline is liable to the tenant for the full amount of the deposit. This liability follows from the failure itself; the landlord loses the right to keep any part of the deposit, even for real damage.
- Up to twice the deposit — discretionary, for intentional refusal. If the landlord intentionally refused to give the statement or refund, the court may in its discretion award the tenant up to two times the amount of the deposit. This multiplier is not automatic — it is a discretionary punishment for bad-faith refusal, on top of returning what was withheld.
In either case, the prevailing party is entitled to court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. That fee-shifting is often the biggest number in a deposit case, because it makes a small dispute worth a tenant’s time to pursue and expensive for a landlord to lose.
How the Math Adds Up
Suppose a landlord withholds a one-thousand-dollar deposit with no timely statement. The tenant recovers the full deposit as a matter of course for the missed deadline. If a court finds the refusal was intentional, it may add up to another two thousand dollars — twice the deposit — and then layer on the tenant’s court costs and attorney’s fees. A withholding that “saved” a few hundred dollars in cleaning can end up costing several times the deposit. The lesson is simple: the cost of doing it right is trivial next to the cost of doing it wrong.
Correcting a Common Misstatement
Many guides describe the Washington penalty as an automatic “two times the deposit plus attorney’s fees.” That overstates it. The full deposit is the automatic consequence of a missed deadline; the up-to-twice-the-deposit figure is discretionary and reserved for an intentional refusal. The distinction matters: a landlord who simply misses the deadline owes the deposit and fees, while the doubling is a court’s tool for punishing bad faith. Verify the current statute before relying on either figure.
Nonrefundable Fees, Pet Deposits, and Installment Payments
Beyond the core deposit, three related rules shape what a Washington landlord may charge and how.
Nonrefundable Fees Must Be Labeled
Under section 59.18.285 of the Revised Code of Washington, no nonrefundable money may be called a deposit, and a fee is nonrefundable only if the written rental agreement clearly specifies that it is nonrefundable. If there is no written agreement, or the agreement does not clearly say the fee is nonrefundable, the money is treated as a refundable deposit — subject to the trust-account, checklist, and thirty-day return rules. So a “nonrefundable cleaning fee” buried in an oral arrangement is, in law, a refundable deposit the landlord must account for at move-out.
Pet Deposits and Pet Fees
Washington landlords commonly charge a separate pet deposit or pet fee. A pet fee can be nonrefundable only if the written lease clearly labels it that way; otherwise it is a refundable deposit. A pet deposit is refundable like any other deposit. Note that a landlord cannot charge a pet deposit or pet fee for a service animal or an assistance animal such as an emotional support animal, which are not “pets” under fair-housing law — see our Washington pet and ESA laws guide for the details.
The Right to Pay in Installments
Washington gives tenants a payment right that many landlords do not know about. Under section 59.18.610 of the Revised Code of Washington, when a tenant asks in writing, the landlord generally must allow the deposit, any nonrefundable fees, and last month’s rent to be paid in installments — unless the deposits and nonrefundable fees together are no more than twenty-five percent of the first full month’s rent and no last month’s rent is required at move-in. For a lease of three months or longer, the tenant may pay in three equal monthly installments; for a shorter or month-to-month tenancy, two. The landlord may not charge any fee, cost, or interest for the installment option, and a violation can expose the landlord to a penalty of one month’s rent plus attorney’s fees.
Takeaway
A fee is nonrefundable only if a written lease clearly says so (59.18.285); otherwise it is a refundable deposit. Pet deposits are refundable, and you cannot charge one for a service or support animal. And on a tenant’s written request you must generally allow installment payment of the deposit, fees, and last month’s rent (59.18.610). Verify the current thresholds.
The Move-Out Procedure, Step by Step
Put the rules together and the Washington move-out becomes a repeatable checklist rather than a judgment call. Follow this sequence and penalty exposure all but disappears.
Request the written forwarding address
At or before move-out, ask the tenant in writing for a forwarding address. In Washington the written address is what practically starts the thirty-day clock, so get it in writing and keep proof.
Inspect and photograph at surrender
When the tenant returns the keys, inspect promptly and photograph every room. Compare against the signed move-in checklist to separate tenant damage from wear from ordinary use.
Calculate lawful deductions
Deduct only for unpaid rent, unpaid utilities and lawful charges, and damage beyond ordinary use. Prorate paint and carpet for age. Gather a receipt, invoice, or estimate for each charge.
Write the full itemized statement
Describe every deduction specifically with an amount, and attach the receipts, invoices, or estimates that back each repair or cleaning charge.
Return within thirty days
Deliver or mail the remaining deposit and the itemized statement within thirty days of the tenant vacating, using a method such as certified mail that gives you proof.
A thorough move-out record starts at move-in. Use a documented Washington move-in and move-out checklist — which also satisfies the section 59.18.260 precondition — and photographs at both ends so you can prove exactly what the tenant caused. When you do withhold, a clean Washington security deposit itemization form keeps the statement organized and defensible, and a Washington security deposit return letter handles the transmittal.
When a Dispute Reaches Small Claims Court
Most deposit disputes never reach a courtroom, but when they do in Washington, they usually land in small claims court — a division of the district court designed to be used without a lawyer. As of 2026, an individual may sue for up to ten thousand dollars in Washington small claims; the limit is five thousand dollars for a business or other non-individual filer. That comfortably covers a deposit dispute and the statutory multiplier in most cases. Verify the current limit, which the Legislature adjusts over time.
✓ The Landlord Who Wins
- Signed move-in checklist plus dated move-in photos.
- Deposit held in a Washington trust account, with receipt and bank notice given.
- Written request for the tenant’s forwarding address.
- Full itemized statement mailed within thirty days.
- Receipts, invoices, or estimates attached for every charge.
- Proof of mailing (certified mail or a tracked method).
✕ The Landlord Who Loses
- No signed move-in checklist — the deposit was never enforceable.
- A vague statement listing “cleaning” or “painting” with no detail.
- Deductions for wear from ordinary use.
- Full-price charges for old paint or carpet, not prorated.
- A return sent after the thirty-day deadline.
The pattern is consistent: Washington deposit cases are won on paper. The landlord who has a signed checklist, holds the deposit correctly, itemizes clearly, attaches receipts, and mails on time rarely loses — and the tenant who keeps their own photos, the checklist, and a copy of the written statement is equally well positioned to recover a wrongful withholding.
Special Situations: Sale of the Property, Roommates, and Abandonment
Beyond a routine move-out, a handful of situations trip up Washington landlords because the deposit rules interact with other events. Three come up often.
When the Property Is Sold
If a landlord sells the rental, the deposit obligation does not simply vanish. Under chapter 59.18, the deposit and the duties attached to it pass to the new owner as successor in interest, and the selling landlord remains responsible until the deposit is either transferred to the new owner or returned to the tenant with a proper accounting. A landlord buying an occupied Washington property should confirm in escrow that deposits, along with the signed move-in checklists, are transferred and documented — because the buyer inherits the obligation to return them correctly.
Roommates and a Single Deposit
Where several tenants share a lease and a single deposit, Washington treats the deposit as one sum tied to the tenancy, not as separate shares. When one roommate leaves and another stays, the thirty-day obligation is generally triggered only when the tenancy as a whole ends and the unit is surrendered — not each time one roommate moves out mid-lease. Sorting out each roommate’s share of a refund is usually a private matter among the tenants. Return the single deposit to the tenants collectively unless the lease or a written agreement directs otherwise, and avoid getting drawn into splitting it.
Abandonment
If a tenant abandons the unit rather than giving notice and surrendering keys, the return rules still apply, measured from when the landlord learns of the abandonment. The landlord must still account for the deposit and provide the itemized statement within the statutory window, and should document the condition of the unit and the date abandonment was discovered. Because abandonment overlaps with the eviction and re-letting rules, confirm the exact steps for your situation.
Documentation: the Evidence That Wins Deposit Cases
Every rule above ultimately turns on proof. Washington places the burden on the landlord to justify each deduction, which means the landlord who cannot document a charge loses it — regardless of whether the damage was real. Build the evidence file across the whole tenancy, not at the end.
At Move-In
- The signed, dated move-in condition checklist required by section 59.18.260, room by room.
- Timestamped photos or video of every wall, floor, fixture, and appliance, stored where the date cannot be doubted.
- The written deposit receipt and the written notice of the trust-account bank, as required by 59.18.270.
- A written note of any pre-existing wear, so it is never later charged to the tenant.
During the Tenancy
- A dated log of every maintenance request and the landlord’s response, which also rebuts a habitability defense — see Washington habitability laws.
- Records of any lawful entry to inspect or repair, made with proper notice under Washington entry rules — see Washington landlord entry laws.
At Move-Out
- The written request for, and the tenant’s written, forwarding address.
- A second set of timestamped photos taken at surrender, to compare against move-in.
- Receipts, invoices, or estimates for every repair or cleaning charge, attached to the statement.
- Proof that the itemized statement and refund were mailed within thirty days.
The Single Most Common Failure
The deduction Washington landlords lose most often is the vague one: a line that reads “cleaning” or “painting” with a number and nothing behind it. A tenant can challenge that in small claims and usually win, because the landlord cannot show the work, the cost, or that it went beyond wear from ordinary use. Since 2023 the statute makes this explicit by requiring receipts, invoices, or estimates. Specificity is the whole game — “professional carpet cleaning to remove pet odor, invoice attached” survives; “cleaning” does not.
Landlord Best Practices to Avoid Deposit Disputes Entirely
The cheapest deposit dispute is the one that never happens. A few disciplined habits protect a Washington landlord across an entire portfolio.
- Never collect a deposit without the checklist. A written lease and a signed, dated move-in condition checklist are the gateway to every other deposit right in Washington.
- Hold the money correctly. Put every deposit in a Washington trust account and give the tenant the written receipt and bank notice.
- Label fees honestly. A fee is nonrefundable only if a written lease clearly says so; otherwise treat it as a refundable deposit.
- Request the forwarding address in writing at move-out, and calendar the thirty-day deadline the moment the tenant surrenders.
- Back every charge with paper. Attach receipts, invoices, or estimates to a full itemized statement, and mail it with proof.
- Screen carefully before you ever hand over keys. The tenants most likely to leave a unit in disputed condition are often the ones a thorough screening would have flagged.
That last point is where most disputes are actually won — before the lease is ever signed. A prior eviction, a pattern of damage, or unstable finances rarely appears out of nowhere; it usually leaves a trail an applicant’s history reveals. Screening for it is the single highest-leverage habit a Washington landlord can build.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Washington?
Washington has no statewide statutory cap on the amount of a residential security deposit. Chapter 59.18 of the Revised Code of Washington sets no maximum, so the amount is a matter of the market and the lease, though most landlords collect one to two months’ rent. A landlord cannot collect any deposit at all, however, unless the rental agreement is in writing and a signed move-in condition checklist is provided under section 59.18.260. Some cities, such as Seattle, add their own local cap, so verify the current local rule as well.
How long does a Washington landlord have to return a security deposit?
Thirty days. Under section 59.18.280 of the Revised Code of Washington, the landlord must give a full and specific written statement of the basis for keeping any of the deposit, together with any refund due, within thirty days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates. This deadline was raised from twenty-one days to thirty days by a 2023 amendment that took effect July twenty-third, 2023. In practice the clock is tied to the tenant providing a written forwarding address, so verify the current law.
Does a Washington landlord need a move-in checklist to keep a deposit?
Yes. Under section 59.18.260 of the Revised Code of Washington, no deposit may be collected unless the rental agreement is in writing and the landlord gives the tenant a written checklist or statement describing the condition and cleanliness of the premises at the start of the tenancy, signed and dated by both parties, with a copy to the tenant. If a landlord collects a deposit without providing that checklist, the landlord is liable to the tenant for the amount of the deposit and cannot lawfully retain any of it.
Where must a Washington landlord hold the security deposit?
In a trust account. Section 59.18.270 of the Revised Code of Washington requires the deposit to be placed in a trust account with a financial institution or licensed escrow agent located in Washington. The landlord must give the tenant a written receipt and written notice of the name, address, and location of the depository, and notice of any later change. Unless the rental agreement says otherwise in writing, any interest earned on the account belongs to the landlord.
Does a Washington landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit?
No. Washington does not require a landlord to pay interest to the tenant on a security deposit. Under section 59.18.270 of the Revised Code of Washington, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing, the landlord is entitled to any interest paid on the trust-account deposit. A tenant only earns interest if the written rental agreement specifically provides for it.
Can a Washington landlord charge a non-refundable fee?
Only if it is clearly labeled. Under section 59.18.285 of the Revised Code of Washington, no nonrefundable money may be called a deposit, and a fee is nonrefundable only if the written rental agreement clearly specifies that it is nonrefundable. If there is no written agreement, or the agreement does not clearly say the fee is nonrefundable, the money must be treated as a refundable deposit subject to the trust-account, checklist, and thirty-day return rules.
What can a Washington landlord deduct from a security deposit?
A landlord may deduct for unpaid rent, unpaid utilities and other lawful charges, and the cost to repair damage that goes beyond wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises. The landlord cannot deduct for ordinary use, such as faded paint, lightly worn carpet, or small nail holes. For tenancies beginning on or after July twenty-third, 2023, deductions for repairs or cleaning must be supported by receipts, invoices, or estimates provided with the itemized statement under section 59.18.280.
What is the penalty if a Washington landlord wrongfully keeps a deposit?
Under section 59.18.280 of the Revised Code of Washington, a landlord who fails to give the required statement and refund within the deadline is liable to the tenant for the full amount of the deposit. If the landlord intentionally refused to give the statement or refund, the court may in its discretion award the tenant up to two times the amount of the deposit. In either case the prevailing party is entitled to court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
Does a Washington tenant have to give a forwarding address to get the deposit back?
A written forwarding address is practically essential in Washington. The statement and refund are delivered or mailed to the last address the tenant provided or known to the landlord, and courts commonly treat a written forwarding address as the trigger for the thirty-day return obligation. A tenant who never provides an address makes it hard to run the clock, so provide one in writing at move-out and keep proof. Verify how your court applies this.
Can a Washington landlord require the whole deposit up front?
Not always. Under section 59.18.610 of the Revised Code of Washington, when a tenant asks in writing, the landlord generally must allow the deposit, nonrefundable fees, and last month’s rent to be paid in installments, unless the deposits and nonrefundable fees together are no more than twenty-five percent of the first full month’s rent and no last month’s rent is required up front. Leases of three months or longer get three equal monthly installments; shorter tenancies get two. The landlord may not charge a fee or interest for choosing installments. For the demand process when a tenant stops paying, see our guide on dealing with a non-paying tenant.
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