Official-source record · WA

Washington security deposit law

Structured limits, deadlines, and accounting rules from the official statute. Exceptions and source locators remain attached to each value.

Information, not legal advice. This page reports selected statute text; it does not apply the law to a specific lease, person, or dispute. Report a possible error

Record 01 Human checked

Return and statement deadline

30 days

The section sets 30 days after termination and vacation for the statement, required documentation, and refund; for abandonment, the period runs from when the landlord learns of it.

Scope notes

Personal delivery or first-class mail to the tenant’s last known address within the period satisfies the delivery provision.

Open primary-source trail

Source excerpt

“Within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement”

RCW 59.18.280(1)(a)

Authority: Washington State Legislature
Human verified: Jul 31, 2026
Source checked: Jul 31, 2026
Confidence: High — direct statute text

Read the official source

Record 02 Human checked

Damage-deduction documentation

Statement plus supporting records

For damage charges, the section calls for a full and specific basis for retention plus the listed estimates, invoices, receipts, or equivalent cost records.

Scope notes

The section bars damage withholding for ordinary wear and lists additional checklist and cost limits.
Subsection (4) excludes withholding for rent or other non-damage charges from the checklist and damage-documentation requirements.

Open primary-source trail

Source excerpt

“include copies of estimates received or invoices paid”

RCW 59.18.280(1)(a)–(c), (4)

Authority: Washington State Legislature
Human verified: Jul 31, 2026
Source checked: Jul 31, 2026
Confidence: High — direct statute text

Read the official source

Primary evidence

Source register

Only official government sources support the published values on this page.

Revised Code of Washington section 59.18.280

Washington State Legislature · RCW 59.18.280(1), (4)

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Suggested citation

DwellDocket. “Washington security deposit law.” Human verified Jul 31, 2026. https://dwelldocket.com/landlord-tenant/washington/security-deposits/

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What this page does not cover

This record does not decide whether a statute applies to a particular property, lease, subsidy program, regulated unit, local rule, or factual dispute. It also does not reproduce every subsection. The linked official source controls.