30 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap.
The landlord must give an itemized statement and return any remaining deposit within 30 days of the tenancy ending. A move-in condition checklist is required for the landlord to keep any deposit.
What this means for you: If there was no signed move-in checklist, the landlord generally cannot withhold for damage at all.
Your next step: Provide a forwarding address in writing. If 30 days pass, send a deposit-return demand referencing RCW 59.18.280.
Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280. Reviewed 2026-06-16.
More Washington rights: Washington eviction · Washington repairs · Washington entry notice · Washington rent increase.
Security deposit in nearby states: Oregon (31 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap) · Idaho (21 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026