Washington Late Rent Fee Rules

What Washington law says

• RCW 59.18.170: the landlord may not charge a late fee for rent paid within five days following its due date.
• If rent is more than five days past due, late fees may be charged from the first day after the due date until paid.
• A landlord may serve a pay or vacate notice at any time after rent becomes due.
• A tenant relying on monthly government assistance may ask in writing to move the due date up to five days later, and the landlord must agree.

Steps for a landlord

• Wait until rent is more than five days late.
• Check the lease for the fee amount.
• Honor a qualifying written request to move the due date.
• Confirm any cap with the statute.

What to put in the notice

• The lease clause that allows the late fee
• The rent due date and any grace period
• The late fee amount and the total now owed
• How and where the tenant can pay
• The date and your signature

Things to watch

• The page we read states no dollar or percentage cap on late fees; check the statute or a local attorney.
• The page does not say whether the lease must state the fee.
• Cities and counties can add their own rules, including rent control and extra notice requirements. Check your local rules too.

About this page

We checked this page against the official sources listed below in November 2026. Where an official page did not say something, we say so. Laws change and courts read them differently, so confirm the current rule with the statute, the court or a local attorney before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.