Washington renter guide
Washington gives landlords 30 days.
After the rental agreement ends and you vacate, Washington landlords generally have 30 days to provide a full, specific statement for amounts kept and pay any refund due.
Reviewed September 26, 2026 · Revised Code of Washington § 59.18.280
Check your deadline ↗What must the landlord send?
The landlord must provide the statement and refund in person or mail them to your last known address within 30 days. For damage charges, the statute generally calls for copies of estimates or paid invoices and other listed documentation. The requirements for damage records do not apply to every kind of amount that might be owed, such as unpaid rent.
What can be deducted?
The statute says a deposit may not be withheld for ordinary wear from normal use. It also addresses documentation, carpet cleaning, and the amount charged for partial damage. Check the exact condition records, itemized statement, and repair documents before deciding whether a charge is disputed.
What if the 30 days pass?
If the landlord misses the deadline, the statute generally makes the landlord liable for the full deposit and bars a later claim to keep part of it, subject to stated exceptions. A court may award up to twice the deposit for an intentional refusal to provide the statement, documentation, or refund. The court decides whether an exception or intentional refusal applies.
Check your dates
Recoup calculates 30 days from the move-out date. The statute measures from the end of the rental agreement and vacating the premises, so use the date that matches both events in your situation. The result is general legal information, not a decision about what a court will find.
Check your Washington deposit ↗This page gives general legal information, not legal advice. Specific facts and statutory exceptions may change your options. Consider contacting a Washington attorney or tenant resource for advice.