New Rent Increase Limits for Washington State (2025-2026)
Dear Multifamily NW Members,
Detailed in a previous article summarizing HB 1217 from May 16th, the Washington Legislature passed mandatory limits on most rent increases and directed the Washington State Department of Commerce to calculate the annual maximum rent increase as well as create an online resource center to distribute information and resources associated with this law.
Annual rent increases limit for residential properties
HB 1217 specifies that a landlord may not increase the rent for any type of tenancy during the first 12 months after the tenancy begins. After the first 12 months, a landlord may increase the rent during any 12-month period of the tenancy up to 7% plus the Consumer Price Index, or 10%, whichever is less.
The maximum annual rent increase percentage is calculated using the June 12-month percent change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers, all items, for the Seattle area as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Properties subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) must abide by this annual rent increase limit, unless specifically exempted.
Maximum annual rent increase
- The maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed through 12/31/2025 is 10%
- The maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed between 1/1/2026 and 12/31/2026 is 9.683%