Washington Security Deposit Law: Deadlines & Penalties

Washington landlords have 30 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant vacates to send a full and specific statement of the basis for keeping any of the deposit, together with any refund due. Mailing it by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address within the 30 days counts. Ordinary wear and tear can never be deducted.

Washington requires real documentation. The statement must include copies of estimates or paid invoices for damage charges, and receipts for materials when the landlord does the work, along with time spent and the hourly rate. Landlords cannot charge for carpet cleaning without documented excess wear, or for items whose condition was not recorded on the required move-in checklist.

A landlord who misses the 30-day deadline owes the full deposit and generally cannot raise any defense for keeping it. A court may award up to twice the deposit for an intentional refusal to provide the statement or refund, and the prevailing party in a deposit lawsuit recovers costs and reasonable legal fees.