US EditionWashington State Sets Its Cap on Rent Increases for 2026
WASHINGTON STATE, JUL 19 – The new rent increase cap balances inflation and a 7% base limit, excluding newer and subsidized housing, affecting most tenants statewide, officials said.
- On Friday, the Washington State Department of Commerce announced the rent cap for 2026, with the limit set at 9.683%, effective from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
- Earlier this year, lawmakers passed House Bill 1217, which, signed in May by Governor Bob Ferguson, limits rent increases to 7% plus inflation or 10%, following years of strain from Spokane to Seattle.
- The Department of Commerce calculates the 9.683% rent cap for 2026 using Consumer Price Index measurements, which showed Seattle-area prices rose 2.7% over the last year.
- Through the end of 2025, the law went into effect immediately, setting the 2025 rent increase cap at 10%, with no hikes allowed in the first year of tenancy.
- Over the next two decades, the law will remain in effect until 2040, with the attorney general able to recover up to $7,500 per violation, and tenants must request correction or file complaints with the attorney general.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
18 Articles
18 Articles
Longview Daily News+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
WA’s new rent cap set just below 10% for 2026
The limit takes effect Jan. 1.
Washington state sets its cap on rent increases for 2026
Washington’s statewide cap on annual residential rent increases will be just shy of 10% next year, down slightly from its current level.The limit, which takes effect Jan. 1, will be set at 9.683%, the state’s Department of Commerce said Friday.
·Portland, United States
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 25%
C 67%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
