Washington's residential rent cap law has been in effect for over a year — and the state's Attorney General is actively enforcing it. With settlements totaling more than $800,000 and fines reaching nearly $400,000 in a single case, landlords who aren't compliant face serious financial exposure.
If you own rental property in Washington, here's what you need to know about the law, how enforcement is playing out, and how to protect yourself.
The law caps how much a landlord can raise rent on existing tenants. The key figures for 2025:
Notice requirement: Landlords must give tenants at least three months' written notice before a rent increase takes effect. This is separate from the percentage cap and has been a key trigger in enforcement actions.
Not all rental properties fall under the law. The following are exempt:
If your property is exempt, document that status clearly. If you're unsure whether you qualify for an exemption, consult a real estate attorney before issuing any rent increase notice.
The Attorney General's office has settled roughly 50 cases in the law's first year, providing rent relief to over 1,000 households.
Most common outcome: Landlords who rescind unlawful increase notices or issue refunds before collecting the higher rent have generally avoided civil penalties — but have paid approximately $2,000 in attorney fees per case.
Suspended fines: In more serious cases, the state has levied additional fines that are suspended as long as the landlord complies going forward.
Real enforcement examples:
The maximum penalty is $7,500 per violation — meaning per affected tenant.
One of the most significant enforcement surprises has been the classification of RV parks as manufactured home communities under the law, subjecting them to the stricter 5% cap. If you own an RV park in Washington, you should treat your property as subject to the 5% limit, provide three months' written notice before any increase, and consult legal counsel — particularly given the ongoing lawsuit by the Manufactured Housing Communities of Washington, with a hearing scheduled for mid-July in Spokane County Superior Court.
Before issuing any rent increase notice:
Can I raise rent when a tenant moves out and a new one moves in?
Yes. The cap only applies to increases on existing tenants. When a new tenant moves in, you can set rent at any amount.
What if my costs have increased more than the cap allows?
The law currently does not provide hardship exceptions for most landlords. Manufactured home community owners have raised this issue in ongoing litigation, but there is no exemption in place today.
What if I issued a notice before the law took effect?
The state has pursued cases involving exactly this scenario. If the notice was issued before the law passed but the increase hadn't taken effect, landlords were still expected to rescind it. Contact an attorney if you're in this situation.
What should I do if I receive a notice from the Attorney General's office?
Do not ignore it. Landlords who act quickly — rescinding notices and issuing refunds — have generally resolved cases with attorney fees only. Seek legal counsel immediately.
Managing rental property in Washington just got more complicated. From tracking annual cap percentages to ensuring your notice procedures are airtight, staying compliant takes time and expertise most landlords don't have to spare.
The Joseph Group specializes in full-service property management for Washington landlords — so you don't have to navigate rent cap laws, enforcement notices, or tenant communications on your own.
Learn more about how The Joseph Group can protect your investment.