Washington Rent Increase Limit 2026: 9.683% Cap, 90-Day Notice & 2027 Update

The short answer

Washington's Department of Commerce publishes a maximum annual rent increase percentage for residential properties covered by the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act unless a statutory exemption applies. For January 1 through December 31, 2026, the published maximum is 9.683%.

Washington Commerce has also published a 10% maximum annual rent increase for calendar year 2027. The percentage is only part of the analysis: timing, notice, first-year restrictions, exemptions, subsidized housing rules and lease terms can change what a landlord may actually do.

What is the Washington rent cap for 2026?

For covered residential tenancies, Washington Commerce lists 9.683% as the maximum annual rent increase for calendar year 2026. The state calculates the annual figure using a statutory formula tied to Seattle-area CPI and a 10% ceiling.

A landlord should verify that the rental is covered before applying the published percentage. Washington law contains exemptions and special rules, so the 9.683% figure is not a universal answer for every housing arrangement.

How much notice is required?

Washington's rent-increase framework generally requires at least 90 days' prior written notice for ordinary residential increases. The notice requirement is separate from the percentage limit: satisfying 90 days does not make an otherwise excessive increase lawful.

The effective date should be reviewed against the tenancy timeline and the lease. Washington also restricts rent increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy for covered housing, subject to the statutory framework and exemptions.

Why 2027 searches already show 10%

Washington Commerce has already published the 2027 maximum at 10%. That figure applies to increases in calendar year 2027 for covered properties, while the 2026 maximum remains 9.683% through December 31, 2026.

This makes the proposed effective date critical. A notice served in late 2026 for an increase taking effect in 2027 should be evaluated under the rule that applies on the effective date, not just the date the notice was written.

What landlords should verify before serving a notice

Confirm whether the unit is subject to Washington's statutory rent-increase limits, whether the tenancy has existed long enough for an increase, the date and amount of the last increase, the proposed effective date, the percentage change from current rent, and whether any exemption applies.

Keep the written notice, rent ledger, lease, prior notices and any documentation supporting an exemption or special housing rule. If the property is subsidized or otherwise regulated, additional program requirements can apply.

What tenants should check if the increase looks too high

Calculate the percentage change using the current rent and the proposed new rent, compare the effective date with the published annual maximum, check the notice date, and review whether the landlord has identified an exemption.

Do not rely only on a social-media post or an old 10% headline. Washington's published 2026 maximum is 9.683%, while the 10% figure is the published maximum for 2027.

Use the Washington calculator and notice tools

Use Max Rental Tools to calculate the proposed percentage increase, open the Washington state guide, and prepare a rent-increase notice only after confirming the current rule and tenancy details. The linked Washington government sources remain the controlling reference for the published maximum and statutory requirements.