Tenant Rights & Legal Enforcement

• Tenants may terminate tenancy with 20 days’ notice if rent exceeds the cap.
• They must still pay the full month’s rent but can’t be charged added fees.
• Landlords must be given a chance to cure violations before legal action.
• Violations can be enforced by the WA Attorney General or tenant:
• Repayment of excess rent or fees
• Up to 3x damages for unlawful charges
• Civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation

Other Requirements

• Landlords may not report nonpayment for amounts over the rent cap.
• WA Commerce must create an Online Landlord Resource Center.
• Local laws (e.g., Seattle’s 90+ day notice) still apply if more restrictive.

This legislation mirrors Oregon’s rent cap model, which stabilized rents short-term but led to slower new construction and lower investment in maintenance.

At Maple Leaf Property Management, we’ve successfully adapted to every major rental regulation change over the past five years. While this new law presents challenges, we’re ready to guide our owners through Washington’s evolving rental landscape with confidence and care.