Washington Deposit Interest Rules
no interest requiredWashington has no statewide requirement that landlords pay interest on security deposits (14 of 51 US jurisdictions do). Your lease may still promise interest — if it does, that promise is enforceable.
Educational information: generated from our Washington law database (last updated 2024-01-01). Not legal advice.
How Washington compares
14 of 51 US jurisdictions require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Here is how Washington compares with other states in our database.
| State | Deposit Interest Rules |
|---|---|
| Washington | no interest required |
| West Virginia | no interest required |
| Wisconsin | no interest required |
| Wyoming | no interest required |
| Alabama | no interest required |
Frequently asked questions
- Do landlords have to pay interest on security deposits in Washington?
- No statewide statute requires it in Washington, though local ordinances or your lease can add the obligation. No statewide limit (Seattle limits to 1 month). Must hold in trust account and provide receipt with bank name/address. Written checklist required at move-in. Return within 30 days (changed from 21 in 2024). Failure: 2x deposit plus attorney fees.
- How large can the deposit itself be in Washington?
- Washington sets no statewide statutory maximum on the deposit amount — though Seattle caps deposits at 1 month's rent; elsewhere it is negotiated in the lease.
- When do I get my security deposit back in Washington?
- Generally within 30 days after move-out.
Check Your Lease Against Washington Law
Not sure whether your lease complies with Washington law? Upload it and our analyzer flags problem clauses — deposit terms, entry rights, fees and prohibited provisions — using the same statute-backed database this page is generated from.
Analyze My Lease FreeEducational tool — not legal advice. First analysis is free, no signup required.
More Washington lease law guides
Educational information generated from state statute data — not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Washington for your specific situation.