Washington and Oregon security deposit and rent-increase notice deadlines

Short answer

In Washington, a landlord must give the deposit statement and any refund within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out (RCW 59.18.280), and must give at least 90 days’ written notice of a rent increase (RCW 59.18.140). In Oregon, the written deposit accounting and refund are due within 31 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession (ORS 90.300), and a rent increase after the first year needs at least 90 days’ written notice (ORS 90.323). Both states also cap yearly increases at 7% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is lower; the 2027 cap is 10% in both states.

This is a plain-English summary of the statute text as published on the dates below, not legal advice. Cities can add their own rules, exemptions apply, and statutes change. Confirm with the statute and your attorney.

Washington

Rule	What the statute says	Cite
Deposit statement and refund	Within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises (or 30 days after learning of abandonment): a full and specific statement of the basis for keeping any deposit, with copies of estimates or invoices, plus any refund. Mailing first-class within the 30 days complies.	RCW 59.18.280(1)
Late or missing statement	The landlord is liable for the full deposit; a court may award up to two times the deposit for intentional refusal.	RCW 59.18.280(2)
Rent-increase notice	At least 90 days’ prior written notice; the increase can’t take effect before the end of the rental agreement term. Subsidized tenancies with income-based rent: at least 30 days.	RCW 59.18.140(3)
Rent-increase limit	No increase in the first 12 months; after that, no more than 7% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less, in any 12-month period. Exemptions include units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 or fewer years old. The limit expires July 1, 2040.	RCW 59.18.700, 59.18.710
Current cap	9.683% for 2026; 10% for 2027 (Department of Commerce).	Commerce
Other rule changes	A new rule of tenancy (other than rent or termination) needs 30 days’ written notice.	RCW 59.18.140(2)

Oregon

Rule	What the statute says	Cite
Deposit accounting	To claim any part of a deposit or prepaid rent, give the tenant a written accounting stating specifically the basis for the claim within 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession, with a separate accounting for deposits and prepaid rent.	ORS 90.300(12)
Deposit refund	Return any unclaimed portion no later than 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession. Delivery is by personal delivery or first-class mail, or by email where ORS 90.155 allows.	ORS 90.300(13), (14)
Penalty	Failing to return as required, or bad-faith withholding: the tenant may recover twice the amount withheld without a written accounting or in bad faith.	ORS 90.300(16)
Rent-increase notice	No increase in the first year; after that, at least 90 days’ written notice, no more than once in any 12-month period. Week-to-week tenancies: 7 days’ notice. The notice must state the amount of the increase, the new rent, the effective date, and facts supporting any exemption.	ORS 90.323(1)–(3)
Rent-increase limit	No more than the yearly maximum under ORS 90.324 (the lesser of 10% or 7% plus CPI). Exempt: units whose first certificate of occupancy was issued less than 15 years before the notice, and some regulated affordable housing. Penalty for exceeding it: three months’ rent plus actual damages.	ORS 90.323(2)(d), (5), (6); 90.324
Current cap	9.5% for 2026; 10% for 2027 (Department of Administrative Services).	DAS

Oregon text checked against the 2025 edition of ORS chapter 90 on the Oregon Legislature’s website. Washington text checked on the Washington Legislature’s RCW site. Both on October 21, 2026.

Turning this into a calendar

Move-out: put day 30 (WA) or day 31 (OR) on the calendar the day possession comes back, and aim to finish a week early.
Renewals: decide the renewal rent at least 100 days before the effective date so the 90-day notice goes out with a margin.
Tell the owner: list both dates in the monthly owner update so the owner is never surprised.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Washington landlord have to return a security deposit?

30 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant vacates (or after the landlord learns of abandonment), with a full and specific statement of any amounts kept and supporting documentation (RCW 59.18.280).

How long does an Oregon landlord have to return a security deposit?

31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession, both for the written accounting of any claim and for returning the rest (ORS 90.300(12) and (13)).

How much notice is required for a rent increase in Washington?

At least 90 days’ prior written notice for most tenancies, and the increase can’t take effect before the term ends (RCW 59.18.140). Subsidized tenancies with income-based rent need at least 30 days.

How much notice is required for a rent increase in Oregon?

No increase is allowed in the first year. After that, at least 90 days’ written notice, at most once every 12 months; week-to-week tenancies need 7 days (ORS 90.323).

What is the maximum rent increase in 2027?

10% in Washington (Department of Commerce) and 10% in Oregon for tenancies subject to ORS 90.323 (Department of Administrative Services), unless an exemption applies.

What happens if the deposit statement is late?

In Washington the landlord is liable for the full deposit and may owe up to twice the deposit for intentional refusal. In Oregon the tenant may recover twice the amount withheld without a written accounting or in bad faith.

Sources

Checked October 21, 2026. Figures are quoted as published; anything we calculated is labeled as an estimate.

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