Seattle Rent Increase 2026 & 2027: 9.683% and 10% Caps

Where 9.683% sits

Washington's statewide cap: 9.683% for increases in 2026 and 10% for 2027. Seattle adds a 180-day notice rule and relocation help for increases of 10% or more.

Increase takes effect in 202710%
Increase takes effect in 20269.683%

Washington's cap, this year and next

Calendar-year figures published by Commerce.

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce (HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center).

Chart data

Period	Allowed	Official source
2026	9.683%	Washington State Department of Commerce
2027	10%	Washington State Department of Commerce

§ 1 · The formula

How the Seattle cap is calculated

7% + CPI, max 10% (statewide) · 180-day notice

Seattle has no separate cap; Washington's statewide limit applies: 7% plus CPI, up to 10% a year (9.683% for 2026, 10% for 2027). Seattle requires 180 days' written notice, more than the state's 90, and increases totaling 10% or more in 12 months trigger EDRA relocation assistance for income-qualified tenants who move.

Law: RCW 59.18.700 (statewide cap); Seattle notice rules and SMC ch. 22.212 (EDRA).

§ 2 · Coverage

Who it covers, and who's exempt

Covered

Most residential tenancies in Seattle after the first 12 months

Main exemptions & conditions

Units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 years old or less
Public and nonprofit housing with regulated rents
Some owner-occupied properties (shared kitchen/bath; owner renting no more than two units in a single-family property; owner-occupied 2–4 unit buildings)

§ 3 · Timing

Notice, and when it changes next

Notice: At least 180 days' advance written notice (Seattle), timed to the start of a rental period, in the required state format with City language. An increase of 10% or more needs the EDRA notice attached.

Next change: The 10% statewide cap for 2027 takes effect January 1, 2027.

§ 2a · Local rules

Seattle's extra rules

180 days' notice
All housing cost increases in Seattle need at least 180 days' advance written notice, not counting the day of service, and must start at the beginning of a rental period.
Source: “Notices must coincide with the beginning of a rental period (in other words, an increase cannot be imposed in the middle of the month).”
Relocation help (EDRA) for 10%+ increases
If housing costs rise 10% or more within 12 months, tenant households at or below 80% of area median income who give notice to move can apply; the City advances three times the monthly housing cost and the landlord reimburses it.
Source: “The City will process tenant applications and advance payment of three times the current monthly housing cost to eligible households.”

§ 4 · Sources

Official sources

City of Seattle (Renting in Seattle) · 180-day notice, local rules Housing Cost Increases ↗
“As of November 9, 2021, all housing cost increase notices must provide a minimum of 180 days' advance written notice.”
Last checked October 18, 2026 · seattle.gov
City of Seattle (Renting in Seattle) · relocation assistance (10%+) Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance ↗
“the Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance ordinance (EDRA) applies to any housing cost increase totaling 10% or more within the same 12 month period.”
Last checked October 18, 2026 · seattle.gov
Washington State Department of Commerce · headline figure HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center ↗
“between 1/1/2026 and 12/31/2026 is 9.683%”
Last checked October 17, 2026 · commerce.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Commerce · 2027 figure HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center ↗
“Maximum annual rent increase percent through 12/31/2027: 10%”
Last checked October 17, 2026 · commerce.wa.gov
Washington State Legislature · exemptions RCW 59.18.710 Exemptions ↗
“A tenancy in a dwelling unit for which the first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 or less years before the date of the notice of the rent increase.”
Last checked October 17, 2026 · app.leg.wa.gov
Washington State Legislature · notice RCW 59.18.140 (notice of rent increase) ↗
“a landlord shall provide a minimum of 90 days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant”
Last checked October 18, 2026 · app.leg.wa.gov

See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.

§ 5 · Questions

Frequently asked

What is the maximum rent increase in Seattle for 2026 and 2027?

Seattle uses Washington's statewide cap: at most 9.683% for increases in 2026 and 10% in 2027, after the first year. Seattle also requires 180 days' written notice, and increases of 10% or more can trigger relocation assistance (EDRA) for qualifying tenants who move.

How is the Seattle rent cap calculated?

Which rentals are exempt from the Seattle cap?

Units whose first certificate of occupancy is 12 years old or less. Public and nonprofit housing with regulated rents. Some owner-occupied properties (shared kitchen/bath; owner renting no more than two units in a single-family property; owner-occupied 2–4 unit buildings).

When does the Seattle rent cap change next?

The 10% statewide cap for 2027 takes effect January 1, 2027.

Where does this Seattle figure come from?

From City of Seattle (Renting in Seattle): “Housing Cost Increases”, which we last checked on October 18, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.

Same state

What's the maximum rent increase in Seattle for 2026 and 2027?