Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28 § 59.28.080
Rent increase -- Notice of expiration or prepayment -- Timing.
Operative Text
From the date of service of the notice under RCW 59.28.040 until either twelve months have elapsed or expiration or prepayment of the rental assistance contract, mortgage, or loan, whichever is later, no owner of federally assisted housing may increase the rent of a federally assisted housing unit, or the share of the rent paid by the tenant, above the amount authorized by the federal assistance program applicable to the project prior to expiration or prepayment of the rental assistance contract or mortgage or loan.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28.080, once an owner of federally assisted housing serves the required notice of expiration or prepayment, a mandatory waiting period begins. During that period—which lasts until at least twelve months have passed or the rental assistance contract, mortgage, or loan actually expires or is prepaid, whichever comes later—the owner is prohibited from raising rents or the tenant's share of rent beyond what the applicable federal assistance program already authorizes. This rule is designed to give tenants in federally assisted housing a protected window of rent stability as the property approaches a change in its federal assistance status.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners and managers of federally assisted housing subject to Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28.080 are generally expected to freeze rent increases—and any increase in the tenant's share of rent—at federally authorized levels from the moment the § 59.28.040 notice is served. Compliant operators track the later of two endpoints: twelve months from the notice date, or the actual expiration or prepayment of the relevant contract, mortgage, or loan. Maintaining clear records of notice service dates, federal program authorization levels, and contract milestones helps demonstrate ongoing compliance throughout this protected period.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28.080 gives tenants in federally assisted housing the right to have their rent—and their share of that rent—held at federally authorized levels for a protected period after the required expiration or prepayment notice is served. If a rent increase above that authorized level is attempted during this window, tenants may have grounds to raise the violation as a defense or to file a complaint with a relevant housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Washington's federally assisted housing rules can help residents understand what options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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