Washington documents
Washington Move-In Condition Checklist
The document without which no deposit may be collected: what RCW 59.18.260 requires it to describe, and why both signatures matter.
Reviewed September 2026 • Statewide resource
Before you use any document on this page: we recommend having your attorney review it first. Laws and required forms change, city ordinances add requirements on top of state law, and a notice that is defective in form or timing can cost far more than a legal review. This page is general information for property owners, not legal advice.
Washington is blunt about this document: no deposit may be collected unless the rental agreement is written and a written checklist or statement is provided at the commencement of the tenancy specifically describing the condition and cleanliness of, or existing damage to, the premises, fixtures, equipment, appliances and furnishings — the statute names walls including paint and wallpaper, carpets and other flooring, furniture and appliances.
The checklist must be signed and dated by both the landlord and the tenant, the tenant must receive a copy, and the tenant has the right to one free replacement copy on request.
Why this document wins or loses the deposit dispute
The move-out deduction you itemize on the 30-day statement is only as strong as the move-in record it is measured against. A checklist that says "good condition" room by room proves little; one that records the carpet seam, the chipped tile and the reading on the water heater does the work. Photographs referenced from the checklist strengthen it further — the checklist is the signed document, the photos are its exhibits.
Getting the signatures
Both parties sign and date. A checklist the tenant never signed invites the argument that the record was written after the fact, which is precisely the dispute the statute exists to prevent. Do the walkthrough together, on move-in day, before keys change hands.
Frequently asked questions
Is a move-in checklist required in Washington? +
If you collect any deposit, yes. RCW 59.18.260 prohibits collecting a deposit unless a written checklist describing the condition of the premises is provided at the start of the tenancy and signed and dated by both parties.
What must the checklist describe? +
The condition and cleanliness of, or existing damage to, the premises, fixtures, equipment, appliances and furnishings — including walls, paint and wallpaper, carpets and flooring, furniture and appliances.
Does the tenant get a copy? +
Yes — a copy of the signed checklist at move-in, plus the right to one free replacement copy on request.
Sources
Every figure on this page traces to one of these. Rent caps change annually and city ordinances change by council action — check the current figure before serving a notice.
- RCW 59.18.260 — verified 2026-09-11
This page is general information for property owners, not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Rules differ by property and by circumstance — consult an attorney licensed in Washington before acting on a notice, an eviction or a deposit dispute.
We serve these notices every week
Utopia Management has managed Washington rentals since 1994. Compliance with the notice periods, the caps and the paperwork above is part of full management, not an extra.
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