Navigating Landlord-Tenant Laws in Washington (HB 1217)

Washington’s 2025 law (HB 1217) added caps, notice requirements, fee/ deposit limits, and Attorney General (AG) enforcement. Here’s what owners need to know right now.

What HB 1217 Does (quick overview)

Rent increase cap: After the first 12 months of a tenancy, rent + certain fees may only increase up to the lesser of 7% + CPI or 10% within any 12-month period. Separate 5% cap applies to manufactured/mobile home lot rents, with Commerce publishing annual limits. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
No increases in first year: Landlords cannot raise rent during the first 12 months of a tenancy. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Notice rules strengthened: Expanded advance notice for rent/fee increases and standardized delivery/formatting requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Fees/deposits limited and new tenant remedies if increases exceed the cap (including defenses to nonpayment based on an unlawful increase). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
AG enforcement + resource center: The law created an AG enforcement mechanism and a Landlord Resource Center at the Dept. of Commerce. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Enforcement is real: fines already issued

On August 6, 2025, the Washington Attorney General announced the first enforcement action under HB 1217: eight landlords were fined $2,000 each for violating the new rent-increase cap and were required to rescind non-compliant notices. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Bottom line: Non-compliant notices or increases can trigger fines, refunds, and legal exposure. Notices must meet the new formatting, timing, and content requirements under HB 1217.

Common pitfalls we’re seeing

Compliance Checklist (HB 1217)

✅ Cap Calculator
Verify rent/fee increases are ≤ 7%+CPI (max 10%), or ≤ 5% for manufactured lots.

📄 Notice Template
Updated format with statutory language, delivery proof, and correct lead time.

📬 Delivery Method
Proper service of notices (mail, hand-delivery, electronic if consented).

📊 CPI Source Link
Reference Commerce’s published annual CPI figures for compliance.

Issuing increases over the cap (forgetting CPI or the 10% ceiling).
Counting multiple fees with rent and exceeding the combined limit.
Raising rent within the first 12 months of a tenancy.
Using old notice templates (missing statutory language or wrong timelines).
Applying the wrong rules to manufactured/mobile home lots (separate 5% cap). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

How we protect owners

Compliance-checked notices (rent/fee increases, deliveries, timelines).
Cap calculations using current CPI and published limits.
Documentation & audit trail for AG or tenant challenges.
Policy updates as Commerce/AG guidance evolves.

Avoid fines and headaches

Let Modern PM handle HB 1217 compliance for you. Start here:

Start Owner Onboarding Get a Free Rental Analysis

We’ll verify your current notices, calculate allowable increases, and update your templates to HB 1217.

Sources & more info

WA Legislature bill page for HB 1217 (2025-26). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Certified session law (enrolled bill PDF). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
WA Dept. of Commerce: Landlord Resource Center (HB 1217). :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
WA Attorney General press release on first fines (Aug 6, 2025). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Coverage of first fines: Washington State Standard. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Legal summary: Stoel Rives – key rules now in effect. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}