Washington rent cap

2027 Washington rent cap: 10%

For rent increases taking effect from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027, Washington law caps the increase at 10% of the current rent over any 12-month period. This page is generated from the same rule record the calculator uses, so it says exactly what the tool computes.

This is an informational tool, not legal advice, and we are not your lawyer. Double-check deadlines with a licensed Washington attorney before acting on them.

2027 cap

10%

The lesser of 7% plus inflation or 10%, published by the Department of Commerce each year.

Notice required

90 days

The state baseline. Seattle requires 180 days, and several cities require more for larger increases.

How the cap works

The cap that governs an increase is the one in force on its effective date, not the day notice is served. It is the maximum total increase across any rolling 12-month period, not per notice.

No increase at all is allowed during a tenant's first 12 months.

Use the rent cap calculator to turn the percentage into a maximum dollar figure for your current rent.

WA Commerce HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center (WA Department of Commerce)

Checked against the source on July 26, 2026.

Last day to serve notice, by effective date

For an increase starting on the first of each month in 2027, under the state baseline. Serving by mail adds days; Seattle and the cities with longer local periods need their own dates. Use the notice deadline calculator for your exact date.

New rent starts	Serve notice no later than
January 1, 2027	October 2, 2026
February 1, 2027	November 2, 2026
March 1, 2027	November 30, 2026
April 1, 2027	December 31, 2026
May 1, 2027	January 30, 2027
June 1, 2027	March 2, 2027
July 1, 2027	April 1, 2027
August 1, 2027	May 2, 2027
September 1, 2027	June 2, 2027
October 1, 2027	July 2, 2027
November 1, 2027	August 2, 2027
December 1, 2027	September 1, 2027

This is an informational tool, not legal advice, and we are not your lawyer. Double-check deadlines with a licensed Washington attorney before acting on them.

Who the cap does not apply to

The statute exempts these categories. An exemption is a fact about your property that the calculator cannot confirm, so verify it against the statute before relying on it.

New construction: certificate of occupancy issued 12 or fewer years before the DATE OF THE RENT-INCREASE NOTICE (not the effective date)
Public housing authority / public development authority / nonprofit-owned units with rents regulated under another affordable-housing program
LIHTC developments with enforceable regulatory agreements
Owner-occupied unit where the tenant shares a bathroom or kitchen with the resident owner
Single-family home where the owner-occupant rents out no more than 2 units/bedrooms (an owner-occupied ADU falls inside this bucket; it is not a standalone exemption)
Duplex/triplex/fourplex where the owner occupied one unit as principal residence at tenancy start and continues to do so

RCW 59.18.710 (exemptions)

Common questions

What is the Washington rent cap for 2027?: For rent increases taking effect between January 1, 2027 and December 31, 2027, the statewide cap is 10% of the current rent over any 12-month period. The Department of Commerce sets each year's figure as the lesser of 7% plus inflation or 10%.
Which year's cap applies to my increase?: The cap in force on the date the new rent takes effect, not the date you serve the notice. An increase you announce this year that starts next January is governed by next year's cap.
How much notice do I have to give?: State law requires at least 90 days' written notice of a rent increase, and the increase cannot start before the current rental period ends. Seattle requires 180 days, and several other cities require more than the state baseline for larger increases.
Does the cap apply to every rental?: No. The statute exempts several categories, most commonly buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued within the last 12 years and certain owner-occupied properties. 6 exemption categories are listed on this page. Exemptions are a question for the statute or an attorney.

How the cap works

The cap that governs an increase is the one in force on its effective date, not the day notice is served. It is the maximum total increase across any rolling 12-month period, not per notice.

No increase at all is allowed during a tenant's first 12 months.

Use the rent cap calculator to turn the percentage into a maximum dollar figure for your current rent.

Checked against the source on July 26, 2026.

Last day to serve notice, by effective date

New rent starts	Serve notice no later than
January 1, 2027	October 2, 2026
February 1, 2027	November 2, 2026
March 1, 2027	November 30, 2026
April 1, 2027	December 31, 2026
May 1, 2027	January 30, 2027
June 1, 2027	March 2, 2027
July 1, 2027	April 1, 2027
August 1, 2027	May 2, 2027
September 1, 2027	June 2, 2027
October 1, 2027	July 2, 2027
November 1, 2027	August 2, 2027
December 1, 2027	September 1, 2027

This is an informational tool, not legal advice, and we are not your lawyer. Double-check deadlines with a licensed Washington attorney before acting on them.

Who the cap does not apply to

The statute exempts these categories. An exemption is a fact about your property that the calculator cannot confirm, so verify it against the statute before relying on it.

New construction: certificate of occupancy issued 12 or fewer years before the DATE OF THE RENT-INCREASE NOTICE (not the effective date)

Public housing authority / public development authority / nonprofit-owned units with rents regulated under another affordable-housing program

LIHTC developments with enforceable regulatory agreements

Owner-occupied unit where the tenant shares a bathroom or kitchen with the resident owner

Single-family home where the owner-occupant rents out no more than 2 units/bedrooms (an owner-occupied ADU falls inside this bucket; it is not a standalone exemption)

Duplex/triplex/fourplex where the owner occupied one unit as principal residence at tenancy start and continues to do so

Common questions

What is the Washington rent cap for 2027?

For rent increases taking effect between January 1, 2027 and December 31, 2027, the statewide cap is 10% of the current rent over any 12-month period. The Department of Commerce sets each year's figure as the lesser of 7% plus inflation or 10%.

Which year's cap applies to my increase?

The cap in force on the date the new rent takes effect, not the date you serve the notice. An increase you announce this year that starts next January is governed by next year's cap.

How much notice do I have to give?

State law requires at least 90 days' written notice of a rent increase, and the increase cannot start before the current rental period ends. Seattle requires 180 days, and several other cities require more than the state baseline for larger increases.

Does the cap apply to every rental?

No. The statute exempts several categories, most commonly buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued within the last 12 years and certain owner-occupied properties. 6 exemption categories are listed on this page. Exemptions are a question for the statute or an attorney.