How much can they charge to hold the place in Washington?
Holding fee max 25% of first month's rent.
Why, and the exact law
Waiting-list fees are banned, and a holding fee counts toward your first month's rent.
From the Washington Legislature, read Oct 4, 2026.Show the law
“A landlord may not request a fee or deposit to hold a dwelling or secure that the prospective tenant will move into the dwelling unit in excess of twenty-five percent of the first month's rent as described in RCW 59.18.610(4)”
This page covers state law only. Cities with their own rules have their own pages.
Washington lawIn force
Washington limits on holding fees and waiting-list fees (RCW 59.18.253)
How much can they charge to hold the place?
Holding fee max 25% of first month's rent.
Waiting-list fees are banned, and a holding fee counts toward your first month's rent.
Who it covers
Exemptions: Tenant screening charges are not holding fees.
The law, word for word
“A landlord may not request a fee or deposit to hold a dwelling or secure that the prospective tenant will move into the dwelling unit in excess of twenty-five percent of the first month's rent as described in RCW 59.18.610(4)”