Washington move-in and move-out checklist
In Washington a landlord who cannot produce the condition report cannot deduct for damage. The generator builds the room-by-room report and checks it covers every item category the Washington statute lists.
Free watermarked preview · Clean PDF $2.99 · No account needed to preview
What Washington requires
- Requirement
- No deposit may be collected unless the rental agreement is in writing and, at the start of the tenancy, the landlord gives the tenant a written checklist of the condition and cleanliness of, or existing damage to, the premises, fixtures, appliances and furnishings, including walls (paint and wallpaper), carpets and other flooring, furniture and appliances. Both sign and date it and the tenant keeps a copy. A landlord who takes a deposit without one is liable to the tenant for the deposit.
- Deductions
- Depend on this report existing.
- Statute
- RCW 59.18.260
Washington checklist FAQ
No deposit may be collected unless the rental agreement is in writing and, at the start of the tenancy, the landlord gives the tenant a written checklist of the condition and cleanliness of, or existing damage to, the premises, fixtures, appliances and furnishings, including walls (paint and wallpaper), carpets and other flooring, furniture and appliances. Both sign and date it and the tenant keeps a copy. A landlord who takes a deposit without one is liable to the tenant for the deposit. (RCW 59.18.260)
The report is a condition of deducting for damage. Without it the landlord is left arguing about the unit's condition from memory, and in Washington the statute resolves that argument in the tenant's favor.
Nail holes, faded paint, light carpet wear and loose handles from ordinary use are wear and tear. Burns, stains, holes, broken fixtures and anything that needs more than routine cleaning is damage. Mark wear as "fair" with a note; reserve "damaged" for what a tenant could be charged for, and photograph it.
Other states
Arizona · Georgia · Kentucky · Massachusetts · Michigan · Tennessee · Montana · Washington deposit itemization
Walk the unit with the right form
Preview the report free, fix anything the checklist flags, then download the clean PDF for $2.99.
Create a Washington move-in checklist