Washington security deposit demand letter
Create a Washington security deposit demand letter using the residential-deposit rules verified July 24, 2026. The form checks the facts that control statutory coverage, the return clock, itemization, notice, and any qualified remedy before it inserts state-law text.
What law governs a residential security deposit in Washington?
RCW 59.18.280 governs ordinary dwelling-unit tenancies under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Mobile-home-space tenancies are governed separately by RCW 59.20.180. The citation is used only after the factual scope questions confirm that the ordinary residential rule applies. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280; Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.180.
Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280 · Verified July 24, 2026
When is a security deposit or accounting due in Washington?
For ordinary dwelling units, the statement, required documentation, and refund are due within 30 days after both termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises; abandonment uses 30 days after the landlord learns of abandonment. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280; Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.180.
Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280 · Verified July 24, 2026
What itemization or documentation is required in Washington?
Ordinary RCW 59.18.280 requires a full and specific statement. Estimates/invoices and labor-rate/hour documentation are required for damage charges, while subsection (4) excludes withholdings unrelated to damages from those documentation/checklist rules. Mobile-home-space tenancies require a full and specific statement but not the same documentation regime. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280; Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.180.
Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280 · Verified July 24, 2026
What remedy may apply if a Washington landlord does not comply?
For ordinary tenancies, noncompliance can make the landlord liable for the full deposit and bar claims/defenses, subject to statutory exceptions. Ordinary full-deposit liability and the litigation bar follow from noncompliance but are subject to circumstances-beyond-control and abandonment exceptions. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280; Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.180.
Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280 · Verified July 24, 2026
Does Washington require a demand, delivery method, or prescribed form?
No special method governs the tenant’s outgoing demand under either chapter. The statutes regulate landlord delivery of the statement/refund. The cited law does not prescribe a tenant deposit-demand form or wording under either RCW 59.18.280 or RCW 59.20.180. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280; Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.180.
Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280 · Verified July 24, 2026
RCW 59.18.280 governs ordinary dwelling-unit tenancies under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Mobile-home-space tenancies are governed separately by RCW 59.20.180.