Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Washington Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
This Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist is built with Washington as the governing state. These are the Washington landlord-tenant rules that most often bear on it, with the statute for each.
Washington rules at a glance
| Security deposit limit | No statewide cap; a written lease and signed move-in checklist are required before any deposit is collectedRCW 59.18.260 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return | 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, with a full and specific written statementRCW 59.18.280 |
| Deposit depository | A written receipt and the name, address, and location of the bank or escrow holding the deposit (RCW 59.18.270). |
Security deposits in Washington
Washington sets no statewide dollar limit on a security deposit, but it regulates the deposit more tightly than most states at every step — before it is collected, while it is held, and when it comes back.
- Checklist first — No deposit may be collected unless the lease is in writing and the landlord gives the tenant a written move-in checklist describing the unit’s condition, signed and dated by both sides, with a copy to the tenant. Collect a deposit without one and the landlord is liable for the full deposit amount (RCW 59.18.260).
- How it’s held — The deposit must be placed in a trust account at a Washington financial institution or with a licensed escrow agent. The tenant gets a written receipt and written notice of the depository’s name, address, and location (RCW 59.18.270).
- Non-refundable fees — A fee is non-refundable only if a written rental agreement clearly says so. Otherwise it is treated as a refundable deposit (RCW 59.18.285).
- Installments — If deposits and non-refundable fees together exceed 25% of the first full month’s rent, or last month’s rent is required up front, the tenant may ask in writing to pay them in installments — three equal monthly payments for a tenancy of three months or more, two otherwise — with no added fees or interest. Refusing costs the landlord one month’s rent plus attorney’s fees (RCW 59.18.610).
- Return — Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord must give a full and specific written statement of the basis for keeping any of the deposit — with copies of estimates or invoices for damage charges — together with any refund due. Missing the deadline makes the landlord liable for the full deposit, and an intentional refusal to comply can cost up to twice the deposit (RCW 59.18.280).
- Local limits — Some cities go further. Seattle, for example, caps the deposit plus non-refundable move-in fees at one month’s rent.
Required disclosures in Washington
- Move-in condition checklist — Signed and dated by landlord and tenant before any deposit is collected (RCW 59.18.260).
- Deposit depository — A written receipt and the name, address, and location of the bank or escrow holding the deposit (RCW 59.18.270).
- Fire safety — A written notice of fire safety and protection information, including smoke detection devices; for multifamily buildings, the sprinkler, alarm, smoking-policy, and evacuation-plan details (RCW 59.18.060(12)).
- Mold — The Department of Health’s information on the health hazards of indoor mold (RCW 59.18.060(14)).
- Landlord identity — The name and address of the landlord or an authorized agent for notices and service (RCW 59.18.060(16)).
- Flood risk (from 2027) — For leases entered into after December 31, 2026, a disclosure that the property may be in a flood hazard area, that the landlord’s insurance won’t cover the tenant’s belongings, and where to find county hazard information (RCW 59.18.060(13)).
- Lead-based paint — Federal warning and known-hazard disclosure for housing built before 1978 (42 U.S.C. §4852d).
Washington Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Washington?
State law sets no maximum, but a landlord can’t collect any deposit unless the lease is in writing and both sides have signed a dated move-in condition checklist (RCW 59.18.260). If deposits and non-refundable fees exceed 25% of the first month’s rent, or last month’s rent is required up front, the tenant can ask to pay in installments (RCW 59.18.610). Seattle and some other cities impose their own caps.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Washington?
30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out. Within that time the landlord must give a full and specific written statement of why any of the deposit is being kept, with estimates or invoices for damage, along with any refund due. Missing the deadline makes the landlord liable for the full deposit, and an intentional refusal can cost up to twice the deposit (RCW 59.18.280).
More Washington landlord documents
- Washington Residential Lease Agreement
- Washington Eviction Notice
- Washington Security Deposit Return Letter
- Washington Rent Increase Notice
- Washington Notice to Vacate
- Washington Application Approval Letter
- Washington Application Denial Letter
- Washington Background & Credit Check Authorization
- Washington Rental Application
- Washington Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Washington Bed Bug Addendum
- Washington Mold & Mildew Addendum
- Washington No-Smoking Addendum
- Washington Parking & Storage Addendum
- Washington HOA & Community Rules Addendum
- Washington Crime-Free Housing Addendum
- Washington Utilities & Services Addendum
- Washington Early Termination Addendum
- Washington Lease Extension Addendum
- Washington Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
- Washington Military Clause (SCRA)
- Washington Pet Addendum
- Washington Cash for Keys Agreement
- Washington Mutual Lease Termination Agreement
- Washington Lease Renewal Agreement
- Washington Notice of Non-Renewal
- Washington Late Rent Notice
- Washington Lease Violation Notice
- Washington Notice of Entry
- Washington Rent Receipt
- Washington Rent Verification Letter
- Washington Tenant Welcome Letter
- Washington Property Management Agreement
- Washington Commercial Lease
- Washington Rent-to-Own Agreement
- Washington Short-Term Rental Agreement
- Washington Room Rental Agreement
- Washington Roommate Agreement
- Washington Spanish Lease Agreement
- Washington Sublease Agreement
- Washington Lease Amendment
Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist in other states
- Alabama Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Alaska Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Arizona Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Arkansas Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- California Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Colorado Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Connecticut Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Delaware Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Florida Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Georgia Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Hawaii Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Idaho Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Illinois Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Indiana Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Iowa Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Kansas Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Kentucky Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Louisiana Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Maine Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Maryland Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Massachusetts Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Michigan Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Minnesota Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Mississippi Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Missouri Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Montana Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Nebraska Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Nevada Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- New Hampshire Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- New Jersey Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- New Mexico Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- New York Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- North Carolina Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- North Dakota Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Ohio Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Oklahoma Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Oregon Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Pennsylvania Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Rhode Island Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- South Carolina Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- South Dakota Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Tennessee Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Texas Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Utah Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Vermont Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Virginia Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- West Virginia Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Wisconsin Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Wyoming Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
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