RCW 59.18.280: Washington security deposit rules in plain English
What RCW 59.18.280 says about Washington security deposits: the cap, the deadline to return the deposit, itemized deductions and interest. Every fact below comes from our statute-checked data. Last verified 2026-10-22.
Quick answer
- Return deadline
- 30 days
- Missing the 30-day statement makes the landlord liable for the full deposit.
- Maximum deposit
- No statewide cap found. A deposit may be collected only with a written lease and a signed, dated move-in checklist describing the unit's condition; without the checklist the landlord is liable for the whole deposit. Deposits go in a Washington trust account and the tenant gets a receipt. On written request, the tenant may pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (2 or 3 months) unless they total no more than 25% of the first month's rent. A fee is refundable unless the written lease clearly calls it nonrefundable.
- Itemized list
- Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required
- Interest
- Not stated in our verified data
What RCW 59.18.280 says, as we verified it
Deposit limit
No statewide cap found. A deposit may be collected only with a written lease and a signed, dated move-in checklist describing the unit's condition; without the checklist the landlord is liable for the whole deposit. Deposits go in a Washington trust account and the tenant gets a receipt. On written request, the tenant may pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (2 or 3 months) unless they total no more than 25% of the first month's rent. A fee is refundable unless the written lease clearly calls it nonrefundable.
Full citation: RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, 59.18.280, 59.18.285, 59.18.610 Read the official text
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FAQ: RCW 59.18.280
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit under RCW 59.18.280?
Under RCW 59.18.280, a Washington landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Missing the 30-day statement makes the landlord liable for the full deposit.
Is there a limit on the security deposit in Washington?
No statewide cap found. A deposit may be collected only with a written lease and a signed, dated move-in checklist describing the unit's condition; without the checklist the landlord is liable for the whole deposit. Deposits go in a Washington trust account and the tenant gets a receipt. On written request, the tenant may pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (2 or 3 months) unless they total no more than 25% of the first month's rent. A fee is refundable unless the written lease clearly calls it nonrefundable.
Does Washington require an itemized list of deductions?
Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required. Citation: RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, 59.18.280, 59.18.285, 59.18.610.
Does the landlord have to pay interest on the deposit in Washington?
Not stated in our verified data.
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Scan my Washington leaseGeneral information only, not legal advice. Last verified 2026-10-22. Laws change; verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.