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Return Letter Template

Washington Security Deposit Return Letter

When a tenancy ends, a Washington landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what Washington’s statute says.

Washington rules at a glance

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 Security Deposit Return Letter FAQs

More Washington landlord documents

• Washington Residential Lease Agreement
• Washington Eviction Notice
• 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 Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
• 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

Security Deposit Return Letter in other states

• Alabama Security Deposit Return Letter
• Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter
• Arizona Security Deposit Return Letter
• Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
• California Security Deposit Return Letter
• Colorado Security Deposit Return Letter
• Connecticut Security Deposit Return Letter
• Delaware Security Deposit Return Letter
• District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter
• Florida Security Deposit Return Letter
• Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter
• Hawaii Security Deposit Return Letter
• Idaho Security Deposit Return Letter
• Illinois Security Deposit Return Letter
• Indiana Security Deposit Return Letter
• Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
• Kansas Security Deposit Return Letter
• Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter
• Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
• Maine Security Deposit Return Letter
• Maryland Security Deposit Return Letter
• Massachusetts Security Deposit Return Letter
• Michigan Security Deposit Return Letter
• Minnesota Security Deposit Return Letter
• Mississippi Security Deposit Return Letter
• Missouri Security Deposit Return Letter
• Montana Security Deposit Return Letter
• Nebraska Security Deposit Return Letter
• Nevada Security Deposit Return Letter
• New Hampshire Security Deposit Return Letter
• New Jersey Security Deposit Return Letter
• New Mexico Security Deposit Return Letter
• New York Security Deposit Return Letter
• North Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
• North Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
• Ohio Security Deposit Return Letter
• Oklahoma Security Deposit Return Letter
• Oregon Security Deposit Return Letter
• Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter
• Rhode Island Security Deposit Return Letter
• South Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
• South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
• Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter
• Texas Security Deposit Return Letter
• Utah Security Deposit Return Letter
• Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter
• Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
• West Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
• Wisconsin Security Deposit Return Letter
• Wyoming Security Deposit Return Letter