What's the maximum rent increase in Washington State for 2026 and 2027?
9.683%
Washington's statewide maximum annual rent increase is 9.683% for increases between January 1 and December 31, 2026, and 10% for calendar year 2027.
- In effect
- January 1 – December 31, 2026 (10% in 2027)
- Next change
- January 1, 2027
- Set by
- Washington State Department of Commerce · State law
- Last checked
- October 17, 2026
9.683% for increases between January 1 and December 31, 2026. Commerce has published 10% for calendar 2027.
How the Washington State cap is calculated
7% + Seattle CPI-U (June to June), max 10%
7% plus the June 12-month change in CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (BLS series CUURS49DSA0), or 10%, whichever is less. For 2026, Commerce used June 2024 = 354.824 and June 2025 = 364.344.
CPI input, from the BLS public API
| Series | From | To | Change | Formula | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI-U, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (June to June) | June 2025: 364.344 | June 2026: 380.849 | 4.53% | + 7% = 11.53% → cap 10% | Official: 10% (official 2027 cap) |
Index values from api.bls.gov (not seasonally adjusted), pulled October 17, 2026. Agencies may use different months, averages or rounding, so the headline figure on this page is always the officially published one.
Law: RCW 59.18.700–.710 (Engrossed HB 1217, Chapter 209, Laws of 2025).
Who it covers, and who's exempt
Covered
- Tenancies under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) unless exempt; no increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy
Main exemptions & conditions
- Units whose first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 years or less before the notice
- Units owned by public housing authorities, public development authorities and qualifying nonprofits with regulated rents
- Qualifying low-income and tax-credit (LIHTC) housing
- A unit where the tenant shares a bathroom or kitchen with the owner-occupant
- Owner-occupied single-family homes (renting up to two units or bedrooms, including an ADU), and owner-occupied duplexes to fourplexes (not if owned by a REIT or corporation)
Notice, and when it changes next
Notice: See Commerce's Rent and Fee Increase Notice form on the Landlord Resource Center.
Next change: The 10% cap for 2027 takes effect January 1, 2027. The 2028 figure follows the June 2027 CPI, published in mid-July 2027.
Earlier figures
| Period | Allowed |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 9.683% |
Official sources
“between 1/1/2026 and 12/31/2026 is 9.683%”
“Maximum annual rent increase percent through 12/31/2027: 10%”
“A tenancy in a dwelling unit for which the first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 or less years before the date of the notice of the rent increase.”
See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.
Frequently asked
What is the maximum rent increase in Washington State for 2026 and 2027?
Washington's statewide maximum annual rent increase is 9.683% for increases between January 1 and December 31, 2026, and 10% for calendar year 2027.
How is the Washington State rent cap calculated?
7% plus the June 12-month change in CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (BLS series CUURS49DSA0), or 10%, whichever is less. For 2026, Commerce used June 2024 = 354.824 and June 2025 = 364.344.
Which rentals are exempt from the Washington State cap?
Units whose first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 years or less before the notice. Units owned by public housing authorities, public development authorities and qualifying nonprofits with regulated rents. Qualifying low-income and tax-credit (LIHTC) housing.
When does the Washington State rent cap change next?
The 10% cap for 2027 takes effect January 1, 2027. The 2028 figure follows the June 2027 CPI, published in mid-July 2027.
Where does this Washington State figure come from?
From Washington State Department of Commerce: “HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center”, which we last checked on October 17, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.