State law · statute quotes
Washington security deposit laws for landlords and property managers
The words of Washington's security deposit statute on each topic, quoted verbatim with pinpoint citations and links to the official source. No summaries, no interpretation.
Reviewed by Mark Shvaya, licensed California real estate broker (DRE #02243502), who uses ProFlow360 in a rental portfolio Mark manages
Last reviewed
Quoted on this page
- Deposit limit
- Returning the deposit
- Itemized statement
- Inspections and condition reports
- Photographs
- Normal wear and tear
- Interest
- Wrongful withholding
RCW 59.18.260 · RCW 59.18.270 · RCW 59.18.280 · RCW 59.18.610
On this page
What this page covers
Washington's residential security deposit provisions quoted here come from RCW 59.18.260, RCW 59.18.270, RCW 59.18.280, RCW 59.18.610. Below are the statute's own words on 6 topics, each with a pinpoint citation and a link to the official text. This page does not summarize or interpret the law.
What does Washington law say about move-in or move-out inspections?
No deposit may be collected by a landlord unless the rental agreement is in writing and a written checklist or statement is provided by the landlord to the tenant at the commencement of the tenancy specifically describing the condition and cleanliness of or existing damages to the premises ... The checklist or statement shall be signed and dated by the landlord and the tenant
What does Washington law say about returning the deposit?
Within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises or, if the tenant abandons the premises as defined in RCW 59.18.310, within 30 days after the landlord learns of the abandonment, the landlord shall give a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit, and any documentation required by (b) of this subsection, together with the payment of any refund due the tenant
What does Washington law say about an itemized statement of deductions?
With the statement required by (a) of this subsection, the landlord shall include copies of estimates received or invoices paid to reasonably substantiate damage charges. Where repairs are performed by the landlord or the landlord's employee, if a deduction is made for materials or supplies, the landlord shall provide a copy of the bill, invoice, or receipt.
How does Washington law refer to normal wear and tear?
No portion of any deposit may be withheld: (i) For wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises; (ii) For carpet cleaning unless the landlord documents wear to the carpet that is beyond wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises; (iii) For the costs of repair and replacement of fixtures, equipment, appliances, and furnishings if their condition was not reasonably documented in the written checklist required under RCW 59.18.260
What does Washington law say about interest on deposits?
All moneys paid to the landlord by the tenant as a deposit as security for performance of the tenant's obligations in a lease or rental agreement shall promptly be deposited by the landlord in a trust account ... Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the landlord shall be entitled to receipt of interest paid on such trust account deposits.
What does Washington law say about wrongful withholding?
If the landlord fails to give the statement and any documentation required by subsection (1) of this section together with any refund due the tenant within the time limits ... he or she shall be liable to the tenant for the full amount of the deposit. ... The court may in its discretion award up to two times the amount of the deposit for the intentional refusal of the landlord to give the statement, documentation, or refund due
Not quoted on this page
deposit limit, photographs. That does not mean Washington law is silent on them; other sections or local rules may apply. Read the full statute.
Has Washington's security deposit law changed recently?
The quotes above were compared with the official source on October 16, 2026. For the amendment history, see the history notes on the official pages linked under Sources.
How does ProFlow360 help you document a Washington tenancy?
ProFlow360 records and organizes inspection evidence; it does not tell you what the statute requires or allows. What it records, for any state:
- Move-in, routine, pre-move-out and move-out inspections with photos timestamped at capture.
- Each move-out photo beside its move-in match, filed under the tenancy.
- Itemized lines with your classification, the amount you entered, and the estimate or invoice attached.
- An issued record that is sealed, shared by a link that expires and can be revoked.
Do this in ProFlow360
Keep the photos, the call and the invoice on the same line
Every deduction line carries the move-in and move-out photos, your classification and its documents, so the record can be followed by someone who was not there.
Kitchen · counter burn, left of range
Line 2 of 5 · TEN-0418
MI-21 · Jul 12, 2024
MO-29 · Sep 30, 2026Security deposit statutes in nearby states
Sources
- 1.RCW 59.18.260: Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord—Written checklist required.
- 2.RCW 59.18.270: Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Deposit by landlord in trust account—Receipt—Remedies under foreclosure—Claims.
- 3.RCW 59.18.280: Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Statement and notice of basis for retention—Remedies for landlord's failure to make refund—Exception.
- 4.RCW 59.18.610: Installments—Deposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month's rent—Statutory penalty.
Sources checked October 16, 2026.
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