A Washington standard residential lease agreement is a formal document prepared by a landlord to authorize a tenant to occupy a property for a fixed term.
It includes essential details such as the property’s address, security deposit, property-specific policies, and contact information for the tenant and the landlord. Upon approval from both parties, they execute the document and implement the mutually agreed terms.
Lease Length Considerations
- Leases can generally be of any duration as long as the term is specific and agreed upon in writing by both the landlord and tenant.
- Unless otherwise agreed, rental agreements are typically for a term of one year. Any rental agreement, regardless of its duration, is automatically renewed for the term of the original rental agreement unless a different term is specified. [1]
Required Disclosures
- Lead-based hazards disclosure
- Fire and life safety disclosure
- Identification of landlord
- Mold disclosure
- Rental inspection checklist disclosure
- Nonrefundable deposit notice
- Disclosure of the security deposit’s location
Our Washington lease agreement page explores these disclosures in greater detail.
Security Deposit
- Maximum Amount ($): The limit is 25% of the first month’s rent. [2]
- Returning to Tenant: Within 30 days. [3]
Rent Payment
- Grace Period: There is a 5-day grace period before charging a late fee. [4]
- Maximum Late Fee: The landlord can charge a reasonable fee of 20% of the monthly rent amount or $20, whichever is greater. Any fee they charge must be written in the lease. [5]
- NSF Fee: The limit on NSF fees is the face value of the check or $40, whichever amount is less. [6]
Landlord Resources
- Landlord-Tenant Laws – Chapter 59.18 RCW (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act).
- Handbook – Tenants’ Rights in Washington State.
