Washington security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Washington: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 30 days under Washington law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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Washington security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280 (amended by 2023 c 331 § 4; 2022 c 196 § 3)

30 days — NOT the widely republished 21 days. The 21-day deadline was superseded by 2023 c 331 § 4 (HB 1074), effective July 23 2023. Within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement AND vacation of the premises — or, if the tenant abandons, within 30 days after the landlord learns of the abandonment — the landlord must give a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit, together with required documentation and payment of any refund due. The landlord complies if delivered personally or deposited in the U.S. mail, properly addressed to the tenant's last known address with first-class postage prepaid, within the 30 days. The statement MUST include copies of estimates received or invoices paid; where the landlord or an employee does the repairs, a bill/invoice/receipt for materials AND a statement of time spent and the reasonable hourly rate.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Washington?

Allowed

  • ✓Documented damage beyond wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises
  • ✓Unpaid rent or other charges owing (documentation requirements do not apply to withholdings unrelated to damage, such as rent)

Not allowed

  • ✗Wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises
  • ✗Carpet cleaning, unless the landlord documents wear to the carpet beyond wear resulting from ordinary use
  • ✗Repair or replacement of fixtures, equipment, appliances and furnishings whose condition was not reasonably documented in the written move-in checklist required by RCW 59.18.260
  • ✗Any amount in excess of the cost of repair or replacement of the damaged portion where the item is not damaged in its entirety

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Washington?

LAYERED REMEDY. (1) Missing the 30-day deadline makes the landlord liable for the FULL AMOUNT of the deposit and BARS the landlord from asserting any claim or defense for retaining any of it — unless circumstances beyond its control prevented compliance, or the tenant abandoned. (2) The court MAY in its discretion award UP TO TWO TIMES the deposit for the landlord's INTENTIONAL refusal. (3) The PREVAILING PARTY is entitled to cost of suit or arbitration including reasonable attorneys' fees. Also: damages for ordinary-use wear, or damages not substantiated by required documentation, may NOT be charged to the tenant, reported to any consumer reporting agency or tenant screening service, or submitted for third-party collection.

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280 (amended by 2023 c 331 § 4; 2022 c 196 § 3) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Washington tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Washington's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Washington.

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What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.