Washington Room Rental Agreement

Rent out a room in your home or apartment: private room, shared areas, house rules, utilities split, deposit and notice terms that follow your state's law.

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Washington rules that this document follows

Security deposit limitNo statutory limitSource: No statutory limit (RCW 59.18.260; holding fee ≤ 25% of first month's rent per RCW 59.18.253)
Deposit return deadline30 days after move-outSource: RCW 59.18.280(1)(a)
Interest on depositNot requiredSource: RCW 59.18.270 (trust account required; interest belongs to landlord unless agreed)
Late feesMax 1.5% of the tenant's total monthly rent (HB 1217, 2025); no fee if paid within 5 days of due dateSource: RCW 59.18.170(2)
Landlord entry notice48 hoursSource: RCW 59.18.150(6) (2 days; 1 day to show to prospective tenants/buyers)
Notice to end month-to-monthLandlord: see statute / Tenant 20 daysSource: RCW 59.18.650 (landlord may end tenancy only for enumerated cause with 60–120 days' notice); tenant 20 days (RCW 59.18.200)

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Room Rental Agreement in Washington

Describe the room and the shared areas precisely, set utilities as a fixed charge to avoid monthly arguments, and put guest, quiet-hour and cleaning rules in writing. Give the renter a copy and a receipt for the deposit.

If you are a tenant subletting a room, confirm your lease allows it and get your landlord's written consent first.

Frequently asked questions

Do landlord-tenant laws apply when I rent a room in my own home in Washington?

In most states yes, including deposit rules and eviction procedures, although some states exempt owner-occupied homes from certain rules (for example, parts of fair-housing law under the 'Mrs. Murphy' exemption). This agreement follows Washington's general residential rules to be safe.

Can I remove a roommate without going to court?

No. Once a person is a paying occupant, self-help removal is illegal. Serve the Washington notice and, if needed, file an eviction case.

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FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.