What are the laws governing the refund of a security deposit?

In Washington, there are specific laws which dictate when and how a landlord must refund a security deposit. Under Washington law, a landlord must refund a tenant’s security deposit within 21 days of the end of their tenancy. The tenant must provide the landlord with their forwarding address in writing, in order for the landlord to mail the refund check. If the landlord fails to return the security deposit at the appropriate time, they can face fines, court costs, and any other amount the tenant spent renewing the security deposit. The reasons given by the landlord for keeping part of the security deposit can be controversial. For example, a landlord cannot keep part of the security deposit to repair “normal wear and tear” that is associated with living in the rental unit. Examples of normal wear and tear would be faded paint or worn carpets. It is also important to note that a landlord is not allowed to keep part of the security deposit if the damage to the unit was caused by someone other than the tenant. In addition, the landlord is obligated to provide a detailed list of damages (if any) and their estimated cost of repair. This list must be provided to the tenant within 14 days of their moving out. In summary, Washington State has specific laws that govern when and how a landlord must refund a security deposit. These laws help protect both the landlord and tenant, ensuring that the landlord is compensated for any damage caused by the tenant, and that the tenant is refunded their security deposit in full, unless they are legally responsible for any repairs.

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What are the laws governing the refund of a security deposit?

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