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rent control laws

Rent control laws limit the amount a landlord can increase rents on existing tenants. Most states have laws that prohibit local governments from enacting rent control measures. But over 180 municipalities in the United States have rent control measures—and all of them are located in California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C.

The state of Oregon has a statewide rent control law that limits annual rent increases to 7% plus the increase in the consumer price index.

In Washington State, there is no statewide rent control law. The state has a preemption statute that prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting rent control measures. This means that cities and counties within Washington cannot implement their own rent control ordinances to limit how much landlords can increase rent. The preemption has been in place since 1981, under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 35.21.830). As a result, landlords in Washington are generally free to set and increase rents as they see fit, subject to any contractual agreements they may have with tenants and provided they comply with the notice requirements for rent increases as outlined in state law.

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Landlord / Tenant

rent control laws

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Washington State Code

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Landlord / Tenant

rent control laws

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