Washington passed a law that limits how much your landlord can raise rent each year. For most apartments and rental houses that are at least 10 years old, the max increase is 7% per year. Your landlord also has to give you a full 180 days heads-up before the increase starts. If you're in a brand new building or income-restricted housing, different rules apply. The law is meant to keep rent from jumping up overnight, however it does not freeze rent. Your landlord is allowed to still raise it, just within that cap.
How much can a landlord raise rent in Washington State in 2026?
Washington State caps annual rent increases at 7% for most residential tenants under the Rent Stabilization Act that took effect in 2025. Landlords have to give at least 180 days written notice before any increase kicks in, and the cap applies to buildings 10 years or older. Newer construction and subsidized housing have different rules, so the cap won't apply to every rental.
Key Points
- In 2026, a landlord can raise rent by a maximum of 7% plus inflation, but no more than 10% total in any 12-month period.
- The exact maximum rent increase percentage for 2026 will not be known until it is announced by the state around June 2025.
- The rent cap does not apply to buildings less than 12 years old or to certain regulated affordable housing units.
- Tenants can legally challenge a rent increase that exceeds the state limit or can terminate their lease without penalty.
Full Legal Analysis
In 2026, your landlord can generally raise your rent by a maximum of 7% plus the Seattle-area Consumer Price Index (CPI), but no more than 10% total in any 12-month period. The state will announce the exact percentage for 2026 around June 2025.
Under a Washington state law that limits rent hikes, your landlord cannot increase your rent by more than a specific amount during any 12-month period of your tenancy [cite: 1]. The formula is 7% plus the rate of inflation, which is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Seattle area. However, the total increase can never be more than 10%, whichever is less. For example, if the CPI is 2.5%, the maximum your rent could be raised is 9.5% (7% + 2.5%). If the CPI were 4%, the increase would be capped at 10%.
Because this calculation depends on inflation, the exact percentage changes each year. The Washington State Department of Commerce is responsible for calculating the official maximum rent increase for the following year and publishing it on their website around June 1st. So, the specific cap for 2026 will be announced in mid-2025.
There are some important exceptions to this rule. The rent cap does not apply to newer buildings (where the first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 years ago or less) or to certain types of regulated affordable housing [cite: 6]. If your landlord believes they are exempt from the cap, they must provide you with the specific reasons and supporting facts in your written rent increase notice [cite: 1].
If your landlord tries to raise your rent by more than the legal limit and isn't covered by an exemption, you can send them a written demand to lower the increase. You also have the option to end your lease without a penalty by giving at least 20 days' written notice before the increase takes effect.
For the official 2026 rent increase limit, you can check the Washington State Department of Commerce website in the summer of 2025.
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