How Much Rent Can I Charge in Washington?
How much rent can I charge in Washington? Price from real comps, then check the 2026 cap of 9.683% on increases for an occupied unit. Worked example included.
How much rent can I charge? For a new tenant, the market sets the number: price from comparable listings that leased quickly. For a tenant already living in the unit, Washington law also caps the increase. As of 2026, the maximum annual increase is 9.683%, and no increase is allowed in the first 12 months of a tenancy.
A home we manage: Modern Townhouse near Downtown Bellevue.
Most owners price a rental one of two ways: last year's rent plus a bit, or the highest number they saw online. Both are guesses, and they cost money in opposite directions. Here is a method that does not depend on either.
How much rent can I charge? Start with comparable listings
City-wide "average rent" figures tell you little about one unit. Instead, collect five to ten comparable active listings:
- Within about half a mile, or the same neighbourhood
- Same bedroom and bathroom count
- Within roughly 15% of your square footage
- Similar condition and finish level
- Similar parking situation
Write down the asking rent, the square footage and how long each listing has been up. The last column is the most useful. A unit listed nine days ago at $2,750 has not been judged by the market yet. A unit that has sat for six weeks at $2,750 is priced too high.
Sort by days on market. The units that rented quickly show your realistic range. The ones still sitting show the ceiling, and you do not want to be near it.
Adjust for what your unit actually has
Take the middle of the fast-moving comps, then adjust.
Upward: in-unit laundry, off-street parking, a recent kitchen or bathroom, outdoor space, a view, air conditioning, updated flooring.
Downward: shared laundry, no parking, dated finishes, a busy street, no outdoor space, an older heating system.
Be honest here. Every owner thinks their place shows better than the comps, and the correction arrives as vacancy.
How much can I rent my house for: single-family homes
A house follows the same method, with one change: compare houses, not apartments. Match lot size, garage and yard as well as bedrooms. If your house could also work as a furnished mid-term or vacation rental, the income is a different calculation, which we compare in short term vs long term rental. If you are still deciding whether to rent at all, start with .
