Are you still giving tenants 60 days’ notice before raising rent? If so, you could be setting yourself up for thousands of dollars in penalties. Washington State’s rental laws changed dramatically on May 7th, 2025, and many landlords are already making costly mistakes.

This comprehensive guide explains the new 90-day notice requirement, the mandatory state form you must use, and the certified mail requirements that take effect after July 27th, 2025. Whether you manage one rental property or twenty, understanding these changes is essential to protecting your investment.

What Changed on May 7th, 2025?

Prior to May 2025, Washington landlords were required to provide 60 days’ written notice before increasing rent. The state’s new Housing Stability Act fundamentally changed this requirement. Now, landlords must provide a full 90 days’ notice—essentially three months—before any rent increase can take effect.

This isn’t just a minor adjustment. The additional 30 days represents a significant shift in how landlords must plan their rental income strategy. If you were planning a rent increase for September 1st under the old rules, you would have needed to provide notice by July 1st. Under the new law, that same September 1st increase requires notice by June 3rd.

The Mandatory State Form Requirement

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the new law is the requirement to use the official state form for rent increase notices. This isn’t a suggestion or a best practice—it’s a legal requirement with no exceptions.

What happens if you use your own letter or an outdated template? Your rent increase notice is legally invalid. You’ll need to start the entire process over, resetting that 90-day clock from the beginning. For landlords who timed their increases carefully around lease renewals or market conditions, this can mean months of lost income.

The state form includes specific language about tenant rights, the maximum allowable increase under rent stabilization laws, and information about tenant remedies if landlords violate the law. Every element must be present for the notice to be valid.

Certified Mail Requirements Starting July 27th, 2025

The changes don’t stop with the 90-day notice period and mandatory form. Beginning July 27th, 2025, landlords who cannot hand-deliver a rent increase notice directly to the tenant must send it via certified mail.

There are specific requirements for this certified mail delivery that many landlords don’t realize. First, the certified mail must be postmarked from within Washington State. Mailing from out of state—even if you’re traveling or manage properties remotely—invalidates the notice. Second, when you serve notice by mail rather than personal delivery, you must add five extra days to your timeline.

This means that for a rent increase served by certified mail, you’re effectively looking at a 95-day notice requirement when accounting for the mailing period.

The $7,500 Penalty That Catches Landlords Off Guard

Washington’s Housing Stability Act includes significant enforcement mechanisms. The Attorney General can impose fines of up to $7,500 per violation. This isn’t per property or per year—it’s per violation.

Consider a landlord managing five rental properties who uses an outdated notice form. That could potentially represent five separate violations, exposing the landlord to up to $37,500 in fines. Beyond state penalties, tenants who receive improper notices have legal remedies available to them, including the right to sue for damages and attorney’s fees.

How This Affects Your Rental Strategy

The 90-day requirement fundamentally changes how landlords must approach rent increases. Here’s what smart property owners are doing:

Planning Further Ahead: Market conditions change quickly in King and Snohomish Counties. With a 90-day notice requirement, you’re essentially predicting what rents should be three months from now. Many landlords are now analyzing market data quarterly rather than annually.

Coordinating with Lease Terms: If your lease renews on a specific date, you need to count backward 90 days (or 95 for mailed notices) to ensure your timing is correct. Missing this window means waiting another full year.

Documenting Everything: Certified mail receipts, copies of the official state form, and proof of postmark locations are now essential records. If a tenant ever disputes a rent increase, these documents are your protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the 90-day rule apply to month-to-month tenancies?

A: Yes. The 90-day notice requirement applies to all rent increases, regardless of the lease structure.

Q: Can I use email to deliver the rent increase notice?

A: No. The law requires either personal delivery or certified mail. Electronic delivery methods are not acceptable.

Q: What if my tenant refuses to accept the certified mail?

A: Refused certified mail can complicate matters. Personal delivery with a witness or posting on the property (with certified mail backup) may be necessary. Consult with a property management professional or attorney for specific situations.

Stay Compliant with Professional Property Management

Washington’s rental laws are becoming increasingly complex, with state requirements overlapping with city and county ordinances. For landlords managing properties across multiple jurisdictions—say, one property in Everett and another in Kirkland—keeping track of all applicable rules can be overwhelming.

At inTrust Property Management, we stay current on all state and local rental regulations so you don’t have to. Our team handles rent increase notices, ensures compliance with proper forms and timing, and maintains the documentation needed to protect your investment.

Ready to take the stress out of rental property compliance? Contact us today at 425-438-3474 or visit intrustpmc.com to learn how we can help protect your rental investment.