Washington Rental Application Overview
Washington is one of the most tenant-protective states. Screening fees are limited to actual cost with transparency requirements, criminal history screening is heavily restricted, source of income discrimination is prohibited, and the state has very broad fair housing protections.
Washington RCW 59.18.257 limits the screening fee to the actual cost of screening the applicant. Landlords must provide an itemized receipt of the costs if the applicant requests one. If a unit is no longer available, the landlord cannot charge a screening fee. Landlords must also provide written screening criteria to applicants before accepting a fee, so applicants can decide whether to proceed. If the applicant provides a screening report from another landlord less than 30 days old, the landlord must reduce the fee accordingly.
Limited to actual sc
Max application fee
Yes, with written co
Credit check
Significant restrict
Criminal bg check
2-3x monthly rent
Income requirement
Washington Tenant Screening Laws
Application Fee Rules
Washington RCW 59.18.257 limits the screening fee to the actual cost of screening the applicant. Landlords must provide an itemized receipt of the costs if the applicant requests one. If a unit is no longer available, the landlord cannot charge a screening fee. Landlords must also provide written screening criteria to applicants before accepting a fee, so applicants can decide whether to proceed. If the applicant provides a screening report from another landlord less than 30 days old, the landlord must reduce the fee accordingly.
Criminal Background Check Rules
Washington has enacted strong criminal history restrictions for housing. Under state law (including recent legislation), landlords cannot consider arrest records that did not lead to conviction, cannot apply blanket criminal history bans, and must conduct individualized assessments. Landlords must disclose their criminal history screening criteria in advance. The lookback period for many offenses is limited to the preceding 7 years. Seattle and other cities have even stricter fair chance housing ordinances.
Credit Check Requirements
Washington landlords can run credit checks with consent, but the fee is limited to actual cost. Landlords must provide screening criteria in writing before collecting a fee. If an applicant provides a recent report, the fee must be reduced.
Fair Housing Protections
The Washington Law Against Discrimination provides extensive fair housing protections including sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, veteran/military status, and immigration status. The Washington State Human Rights Commission handles complaints.
Source of Income Protection
Washington prohibits discrimination based on source of income. Landlords cannot reject applicants solely because their income comes from Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Social Security, disability benefits, child support, alimony, or other lawful income sources. Violations can result in fair housing complaints and penalties.
Washington Screening Criteria
Washington landlords typically evaluate the following criteria when reviewing rental applications. All screening must comply with federal and Washington state fair housing laws.
- Credit Score: Most Washington landlords look for a credit score of 620 or higher, though thresholds vary by property and market
- Income: Gross monthly income of at least 2-3x monthly rent is the standard requirement
- Rental History: Positive references from previous landlords, no evictions, and a record of on-time rent payments
- Employment Verification: Stable employment or verifiable income sufficient to cover rent and living expenses
- Background Check: Subject to Washington's restrictions on criminal history screening
How to Fill Out a Washington Rental Application
Follow these steps to properly complete your Washington rental application. Our template includes all sections required for Washington-compliant tenant screening.
Provide Personal Information
Enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email, and current address. Your SSN is required for the credit check and will be handled securely per Washington data protection requirements.
Detail Your Rental History
List your current and previous addresses for the past 2-3 years, including landlord names and contact information, monthly rent, dates of tenancy, and reason for leaving. Washington landlords will contact your previous landlords to verify this information.
Enter Employment and Income Details
Provide your employer's name, address, your position, length of employment, and gross monthly income. Include all income sources. Most Washington landlords require income of at least 2-3x monthly rent.
Add References
Include 2-3 personal or professional references with their names, phone numbers, and your relationship. Let them know they may be contacted. Strong references can strengthen your application, especially if you have limited rental history.
Sign Authorization Forms
Review and sign the credit check authorization, background check consent, and FCRA disclosure. These are required by federal law before the landlord can access your consumer reports. The authorization is specific to this application and cannot be used for other purposes.
Submit with Supporting Documents
Attach copies of your photo ID, recent pay stubs, and any other requested documentation. Pay the application fee if required, keeping in mind Washington's fee regulations.
Washington Rental Application Fees & Costs
Here's a breakdown of typical rental application costs in Washington. Fees vary by landlord and screening service used.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | Actual cost only (typically $30-$55) |
| Credit Check | $15-$40 (often included in application fee) |
| Background Check | $20-$50 (often included in application fee) |
| Refundable? | Typically non-refundable |
Sample Washington Rental Application
Below is a preview of our Washington-specific rental application. Your customized document will include all fields and disclosures required under Washington law.
STATE OF WASHINGTON
RENTAL APPLICATION
Tenant Screening Form
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name: [Legal Name]
Date of Birth: [DOB] SSN: [XXX-XX-XXXX]
Phone: [Phone] Email: [Email]
RENTAL HISTORY
Current Address: [Washington Address]
Landlord: [Name] Rent: $[Amount]
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
Employer: [Company]
Monthly Income: $[Amount]
AUTHORIZATION
I authorize the landlord to obtain my credit report, conduct a background check, and verify the information provided in this application in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Washington state law...
Washington Rental Application FAQ
Answers to common questions about rental applications, tenant screening, and landlord requirements in Washington.
Official Washington Resources
Use these official resources to learn more about Washington tenant screening laws, fair housing requirements, and your rights as a landlord or tenant.
Washington State Human Rights Commission
Fair housing enforcement and discrimination complaints
Northwest Justice Project
Free legal help for Washington tenants
HUD Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Federal fair housing laws, complaints, and guidance
FTC Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal credit reporting rights for tenants
Other Washington Documents
Need other rental and lease documents for Washington? We offer state-specific templates for every type of landlord-tenant document.
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