Yes, your landlord can increase your rent that much. A local renter’s guide to rent raises

(Editor’s note: In response to reader questions and concerns regarding housing conditions in Washington state, the Northwest Service Journalism team and Bellingham Herald staff have teamed up to offer insight into housing horrors plaguing current renters. Reader questions about renting for future stories can be submitted at the bottom of this article.)

Fifth part in a series

When examining the feedback that McClatchy receives from readers who rent in Bellingham, the most-frequently mentioned issue (by leaps and bounds) is rental payment increases.

Many people have written to ask whether their landlord can legally raise the rent by certain amounts, citing percentages or dollar totals with other context. A recent query asked about an upcoming 50% increase on their rent in Skagit County, and whether such a huge increase is even legal.

Others have described various horror stories with repercussions they are struggling to deal with.

“My landlord raised rent from $675 to $1,200 in less then 60 days and it was over text,” one reader told us.

There have been many other similar complaints.

“My rents go up 1$00-400 per month every year or two,” one reader wrote. “People are moving to Bellingham from ... where? Home prices are escalating. Gentrification. Meanwhile, those renters on fixed incomes like myself cannot afford to stay if the rent goes up, keeps going up. These rent raises come right out of my small savings.”

So what is the law in Washington state regarding rent raises? Can landlords raise the rent as much as they want? Here’s what we found out.

How much WA landlords can raise rent

It is generally legal for your landlord to raise the rent as much as they’d like, so long as there is proper notice and no discrimination. Washington state does not have rent caps, meaning landlords do not have a limit on increases. There is no dollar amount or percentage landlords are prohibited from raising rent by.

Landlords in the Evergreen State are required to give tenants at least 60 days notice of rent increases. Earlier this year, the city of Bellingham enacted an even stricter policy on rent raises, requiring 120 days notice from property owners in the city. This notice must be written, it cannot be verbal.

If you rent in the city of Bellingham, your landlord must give you at least 120 days notice of an increase in your rent. If you are in the area but outside of city limits, your landlord only has to give you 60 days notice.

Illegal rent raises in WA

That said, landlords cannot attempt to raise your rent in the middle of a lease agreement. If the agreement specifies a rental amount for each month, and you both signed the agreement, rent cannot be raised until after the duration of the agreement is closed.

Landlords also cannot raise rent out of retaliation or discrimination. Per the federal Fair Housing Act, the following groups are protected from housing discrimination:

• Race

• Color

• National origin

• Religion

• Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation)

• Familial, marital status

• Disability, or the landlord’s belief you have one

• Veteran, military status

Your rent cannot be raised on the basis of your status in any of these classes.

If you attempt to report the landlord for illegal practices, to take legal action, or to otherwise uphold your tenants rights, your landlord cannot raise your rent in response.

Responding to illegal rent raises

If you have been informed of a rent increase you think violates your legal rights as a tenant, contact legal help as soon as possible. This may be a mediation/dispute resolution resource, a hired attorney or free legal counsel. Various options are available for local renters:

• Washington Law Help Legal Aid Directory
• Moderate Means
  
  
• WSBA Legal Help by County

• Law Advocates of Whatcom County

• Tenants Union of Washington State (for reference to legal experts, not for legal advice)
  
  
• Washington State Pro Bono Council

• Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center

• Washington State Human Rights Commission (for discrimination cases)

Do you have questions, concerns or a story about housing in Washington? The Northwest Service Team wants to hear from you:

This story was originally published September 29, 2023 at 5:00 AM.