Didn't Sell Your House? What Washington Requires Before You Rent It Out

Start with what the house would rent for

Before you decide, find out what the home would likely rent for. That one number shapes the rest: whether renting covers your costs, how long you might hold the house, and whether to hire help.

Jevons Property Management offers a free rent estimate and management quote. We have managed Washington rentals since 2008, and we own rentals ourselves, so we look at your house the way an owner would.

Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Washington rentals need working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms (RCW 43.44.110; RCW 19.27.530). Test every alarm before you list the home, and replace any that fail.

Then walk the house the way a renter would. Note anything worn or broken, and fix what you can before showings start. Take dated photos of each room. They help later, when you compare the home's condition at move-out.

Put your screening criteria in writing

Before you obtain screening information, give each applicant written notice of your screening criteria and the type of information you will obtain. Screening fees may not exceed the actual cost (RCW 59.18.257).

Source-of-income discrimination is prohibited. That covers housing vouchers, Social Security and other benefits (RCW 59.18.255).

When we manage a home, screening checks credit, income, rental history and references against written criteria.

Get the lease, deposit and move-in checklist right

• A deposit may be collected only with a written rental agreement and a written move-in condition checklist, signed and dated by landlord and tenant, with a copy to the tenant (RCW 59.18.260).
• Deposits are held in a trust account at a financial institution or licensed escrow in Washington, and the tenant is told in writing where (RCW 59.18.270).
• Non-refundable fees must be clearly stated as non-refundable in a written rental agreement (RCW 59.18.285).

When we manage a home, move-in covers deposit collection, lease signing, utility setup and a photo-documented condition report.

Plan for repairs, entry and the end of the lease

• Repair deadlines after written notice: 24 hours for no hot or cold water, heat, electricity, or an imminently hazardous condition; 72 hours for a landlord-supplied refrigerator, range and oven, or major plumbing fixture; 10 days for other repairs (RCW 59.18.070).
• Entry: 2 days' written notice to enter for inspection or repairs, and 1 day's notice to show the home, emergencies excepted (RCW 59.18.150).
• Since 2021, most tenancies may be ended only for a cause listed in state law (RCW 59.18.650).
• After the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, you have 30 days to refund the deposit or give a full and specific written statement of deductions. Missing it can make the landlord liable for the full deposit (RCW 59.18.280).

Some cities add rules of their own. Seattle requires rental registration (RRIO) and has a first-in-time rule for offering a unit to the first qualified applicant (SMC 22.214, SMC 14.08.050). Tacoma has its own rental housing code (TMC 1.95).

Not sure you want to do all of this yourself? Read Is a Property Manager Worth It for One Rental?

Frequently asked questions