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Legal Information: Washington

Housing Laws

Updated: 
December 15, 2023

What happens to my security deposit?

You are entitled to get your security deposit back as if you finished out the term of your lease. Even if your lease says that you will forfeit your deposit if you break the lease, that does not apply if you terminate your lease under these laws.1

However, the landlord can still deduct from the security deposit any damage caused to the property or unpaid rent as they normally would. A landlord who seeks reimbursement for damages to the property from Washington’s landlord mitigation program, however, cannot keep any of your security deposit or sue you for damages.2 

1 R.C.W. § 59.18.575(2)(b)(i)
2 R.C.W. § 59.18.575(2)(b)(ii)

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