# Washington Security Deposits: Wear vs Damage | Who Pays the Repair?

> Washington landlords must document deposit withholding within 30 days and can never deduct for ordinary wear, under RCW 59.18.280.

**Who pays:** shared

Washington landlords must document any deposit withheld within 30 days and can never deduct for ordinary wear, under RCW 59.18.280.

**Boundary:** Washington landlords have 30 days after the tenant vacates to give a full statement of any deposit withheld, with supporting documentation, or owe the tenant the full deposit, and may never withhold any portion for wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises (RCW 59.18.280).

## Sources
- [RCW 59.18.280(1)(a) (30-day statement/refund deadline)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.280) — "Within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises... the landlord shall give a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit... together with the payment of any refund due the tenant." (accessed 2026-09-13)
- [RCW 59.18.280(1)(c)(i) (no withholding for ordinary wear)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.280) — "No portion of any deposit may be withheld: (i) For wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises." (accessed 2026-09-13)

_Last verified 2026-09-19. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/washington-security-deposit-wear-vs-damage/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._