Washington Security Deposit Demand Letter

In Washington, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Rev. Code Wash. §59.18.280 (30-day rule eff. 7/23/2023)). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.

Reflects current Washington rules · 2026 Official source linked Free PDF · no signup · nothing uploaded

Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.

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Washington deposit rules at a glance

Return deadline: 30 days after move-out
Deposit cap: No statutory limit

As of 2026. Source: Rev. Code Wash. §59.18.280 (30-day rule eff. 7/23/2023) ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Washington landlord have to return the deposit?

30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Rev. Code Wash. §59.18.280 (30-day rule eff. 7/23/2023)). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.

Is there a limit on how much deposit a Washington landlord can charge?

Washington sets no statutory cap on the security deposit (as of 2026; source: Rev. Code Wash. §59.18.280 (30-day rule eff. 7/23/2023)), so the amount is whatever the lease says. The return deadline still applies to the full amount.

How much can I sue for in Washington if the landlord ignores this?

$10,000 when the plaintiff is a natural person (human being); $5,000 in all other cases, i.e., businesses, LLCs, and other entities (RCW 12.40.010). The court is the Small Claims Department of the District Court, and the filing fee is $35 plus a dispute-resolution-center surcharge (up to $15) in participating counties, so typically $35-$50 total (RCW 12.40.020; RCW 7.75.035).. As of 2026; source: RCW ch. 12.40 (limit at RCW 12.40.010).

Do I need a lawyer in Washington small claims?

Attorneys are No — not allowed without the consent of the judicial officer hearing the case (RCW 12.40.080); corporations may not be represented by an attorney except as provided in RCW 12.40.025.. Source: RCW ch. 12.40 (limit at RCW 12.40.010) (as of 2026).

Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.

How Washington compares

Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Washington: Rev. Code Wash. §59.18.280 (30-day rule eff. 7/23/2023) ↗.

Deposit return deadline

Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.

This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.

Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Idaho (21 days), Oregon (31 days).

The rest of what Washington requires

The figures below are Washington's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Washington page for that document.

Security deposit cap · as of 2026: No statutory limit Rev. Code Wash. §59.18.280 (30-day rule eff. 7/23/2023) ↗
Deposit return deadline · as of 2026: 30 days after move-out Rev. Code Wash. §59.18.280 (30-day rule eff. 7/23/2023) ↗
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026: 20 days Rev. Code Wash. §59.18.280 (30-day rule eff. 7/23/2023) ↗
Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026: 14 days to pay or quit RCW 59.12.030; RCW 59.18.650 (just-cause) ↗
Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026: 10 days RCW 59.12.030; RCW 59.18.650 (just-cause) ↗
Small claims limit · as of 2026: $10,000 RCW ch. 12.40 (limit at RCW 12.40.010) ↗
Where you file · as of 2026: Small Claims Department of the District Court · filing fee $35 plus a dispute-resolution-center surcharge (up to $15) in participating counties, so typically $35-$50 total (RCW 12.40.020; RCW 7.75.035). RCW ch. 12.40 (limit at RCW 12.40.010) ↗
Rental application fee · as of July 2026: Limited to the actual cost of screening Washington Legislature ↗
Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026: Not required Washington DOL (Form TD-420-065) ↗
Power of attorney signing · as of 2026: Notarization required Rev. Code Wash. §11.125.050 ↗
LLC operating agreement · as of 2026: Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules RCW 25.15.006(8); RCW 25.15.018 ↗
Recording a deed · as of 2026: County Auditor (the 'recording officer' of the county where the property is situated, RCW 65.08.070; in a few charter counties a separate Recorder's Office) · no witnesses RCW 64.04.020 ↗

Security deposit demand letter in other states

More Washington legal forms

Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →