Washington · Security deposits · Updated Oct 2026

Washington security deposit law

How much a landlord in Washington can charge, the deadline to return a deposit, what may be deducted, the penalty for keeping it wrongly and how to get yours back.

Short answer

In Washington, the deposit limit is: No statewide dollar limit. The landlord must return it as follows: Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and you move out (or 30 days after the landlord learns you abandoned the unit), the landlord must give you a full and specific written statement of the reasons for keeping any part of the deposit, with supporting documents, plus any refund.

deposit limit
No statewide limit
to return a deposit
30 days
deposit penalty
Up to 2× (intentional)

Security deposit in Washington

Limit
No statewide dollar limit. A deposit is allowed only with a written rental agreement and a signed move-in condition checklist. Nonrefundable fees must be clearly labeled in a written lease. Some cities (such as Seattle) set their own limits.
Deadline to return it
Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and you move out (or 30 days after the landlord learns you abandoned the unit), the landlord must give you a full and specific written statement of the reasons for keeping any part of the deposit, with supporting documents, plus any refund. Delivering it personally or mailing it first-class to your last known address counts. Give your forwarding address in writing.
Itemized list
Yes, plus proof: copies of estimates or paid invoices for damage; if the landlord did repairs, receipts for materials and a statement of the time spent and the hourly rate.
What may be deducted
Unpaid rent and other charges, and damage beyond wear from ordinary use, as allowed by the written lease. Not allowed: ordinary wear; carpet cleaning unless wear beyond ordinary use is documented; repair of items whose condition wasn't documented on the checklist; or replacing a whole item when only part was damaged.
Interest
No. Interest on the trust account goes to the landlord unless you agree otherwise in writing.
Separate account
Yes. The deposit must be put in a trust account at a Washington financial institution or licensed escrow agent. The landlord must give you a written receipt and tell you in writing the name and address of the bank. RCW 59.18.270.
Move-in checklist
Required. No deposit may be collected unless the landlord gives you a written checklist at move-in describing the condition and cleanliness of walls, floors, furniture and appliances, signed and dated by both of you; you get a copy and one free replacement. If the landlord collects a deposit without one, you can recover the whole deposit. RCW 59.18.260.
If the landlord keeps it wrongly
If the landlord misses the 30-day deadline, the landlord owes you the full deposit and can't raise any reason to keep it (unless circumstances were beyond the landlord's control). For an intentional refusal, the court may award up to twice the deposit. The winner gets court costs and attorney fees.
Law
RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, 59.18.280, 59.18.285

Get your deposit back, step by step

  1. Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
  2. Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Washington: Delivering it personally or mailing it first-class to your last known address counts.
  3. Wait for the deadline: Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and you move out (or 30 days after the landlord learns you abandoned the unit), the landlord must give you a full and specific written statement of the reasons for keeping any part of the deposit, with supporting documents, plus any refund.
  4. If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
  5. If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $10,000 for individuals; $5,000 for businesses. Small claims court in Washington on Small Claims Map

Deposit return calculator for Washington

Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Enter your deposit and move-out dateThe result appears as you type.

An estimate from the dates you enter and the rule in our data, not legal advice. We skip weekends only where the rule counts business days, and we don't skip holidays.

Security deposit demand letter for Washington

A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

We suggest 14 days.

One or two sentences. This text goes into the letter as written.

Small claims court in Washington

Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer. Limit: $10,000 for individuals; $5,000 for businesses.

How to file in Washington

Questions about security deposits in Washington

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Washington?

No statewide dollar limit. A deposit is allowed only with a written rental agreement and a signed move-in condition checklist. Nonrefundable fees must be clearly labeled in a written lease. Some cities (such as Seattle) set their own limits.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Washington?

Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and you move out (or 30 days after the landlord learns you abandoned the unit), the landlord must give you a full and specific written statement of the reasons for keeping any part of the deposit, with supporting documents, plus any refund. Delivering it personally or mailing it first-class to your last known address counts. Give your forwarding address in writing.

What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in Washington?

If the landlord misses the 30-day deadline, the landlord owes you the full deposit and can't raise any reason to keep it (unless circumstances were beyond the landlord's control). For an intentional refusal, the court may award up to twice the deposit. The winner gets court costs and attorney fees.

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Washington?

Unpaid rent and other charges, and damage beyond wear from ordinary use, as allowed by the written lease. Not allowed: ordinary wear; carpet cleaning unless wear beyond ordinary use is documented; repair of items whose condition wasn't documented on the checklist; or replacing a whole item when only part was damaged.

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Washington?

No. Interest on the trust account goes to the landlord unless you agree otherwise in writing.

What is the small claims limit in Washington?

$10,000 for individuals; $5,000 for businesses.

More for Washington renters

Security deposit in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.