There are laws and rules in Washington state about how rent can go up. These are there to protect tenants from sudden, unfair rent hikes. There are important new information and reminders about renters’ rights when rent goes up for 2024.
There are rules in Washington that say you can not raise your rent, whether you are renewing your lease or looking for a new place to live.
1. Legal Notice for Rent Increases
Washington state law says that landlords have to give written warning before raising rent. Most people who rent on a month-to-month basis must be given at least 60 days’ notice before the rent goes up.
This is true whether the price rise is small or big, so tenants have plenty of time to plan their budgets, negotiate, or find other places to live.
If a renter has a fixed-term lease, like a one-year lease, the rent can not go up until the end of the lease, unless the lease says otherwise. Even if the rent goes up after the lease term is over, landlords still have to give 60 days’ notice.
2. Limits on Rent Increases
There is no national rent control in Washington right now, which means that landlords can raise the rent as much as they want. There are, however, extra rules and protections in some places, like Seattle.
For example, Seattle’s Just Cause Eviction Ordinance says that landlords must give renters new leases with similar terms unless they have a good reason to evict. This can help some tenants avoid having their rent go up quickly or by a lot.
3. Rent Increase Caps in Certain Areas
There is not a general rent control strategy in Washington state, but some local governments have taken steps to make rents more stable.
For example, Seattle has passed laws that make it easier for tenants to stay in their homes by limiting rent increases in properties within the city limits.
Additionally, in some areas, rent rises that are higher than a certain percentage may require landlords to help tenants move if they have to leave their homes.
Rent increases may be limited for people who live in affordable housing or in certain housing assistance programs.
These limits may be based on a portion of your income or changes in the cost of utilities. Government housing schemes at the federal or state level set these limits.
4. Prohibition on Rent Increases in Certain Situations
Washington law says that a landlord can not raise rent because a renter used their legal rights, like asking for repairs or reporting unsafe living conditions.
This is called “retaliatory rent increases,” and renters can file a complaint if they think their rent was raised unfairly after they went to court.
Additionally, owners are not allowed to raise rent if the unit is deemed unlivable by the local government.
Among these are cases where the rental property poses serious safety or health risks. Before they can raise the rent, landlords have to make sure the building is up to code.
5. COVID-19 Protections and Rent Increases
Washington’s statewide COVID-19 eviction moratorium ended in 2021, but in some areas, protections for tenants linked to the pandemic are still in place.
More laws were passed in Seattle and other cities to stop rent rises during and after the pandemic.
For example, in Seattle, landlords who have tenants who fell behind on their rent because of the pandemic must offer repayment plans and cannot raise rent during the repayment time.
6. How to Handle a Rent Increase
If you get a warning that your rent is going up, you need to know what you can do. First, make sure the increase is legal by checking to see if your landlord gave you the needed 60-day notice and followed any local rules about rent increases.
Then, decide if the price increase is fair and in line with other rental prices in the area. Tenants may sometimes be able to talk to the landlord about the amount or timing of the rent rise.
You can complain to your local housing authority or a tenant’s rights group if you think the rise is unfair or against the law. If you want to fight the rent increase in court, it might also help to talk to a lawyer.
7. Conclusion
Washington’s rent increase rules protect tenants in general, but it is important to know the specifics, especially if you live in a place like Seattle that has extra protections.
You can handle any changes to your rent with confidence if you know your rights when it comes to notice periods, maximum rent increases, and cases where increases may not be allowed.
As rent prices rise across the state, the best way to make sure you are treated fairly in your housing situation is to know what the rules are right now.
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