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East Wenatchee, WA Security Deposit Laws 2026

Washington limits security deposits to 2 month(s) of rent. In East Wenatchee, that's $3,000 at the median 2BR rent of $1,500/month. Miss the 21-day return deadline and you could owe $3,000+.

In Washington, landlords must return security deposits within 21 days after move-out. The maximum deposit is 2 month(s) of rent. Failure to return on time or provide an itemized statement can result in penalties of $3,000 or more.

Key Takeaways — East Wenatchee Security Deposit Laws

  • Maximum deposit: 2 month(s) of rent = $3,000 at East Wenatchee's median rent
  • Return deadline: 21 days after tenant moves out
  • Penalty for late return: Up to 2x the deposit ($3,000)
  • Itemized statement: Required with any deductions

Security Deposit Laws in East Wenatchee

Under Washington law, landlords in East Wenatchee may collect a maximum security deposit of 2 month(s) of rent. At East Wenatchee's median 2-bedroom rent of $1,500/month, that means the most you can legally collect is $3,000.

$3,000

max deposit (2mo × $1,500)

21 days

return deadline

$3,000

max penalty for late return

Returning the Deposit: The 21-Day Clock

Once a tenant moves out of your East Wenatchee rental, Washington law gives you exactly 21 days to either return the full deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions. The clock starts on the day the tenant surrenders possession — not when you inspect the unit.

What you can deduct from a security deposit in East Wenatchee:

  • Unpaid rent
  • Damage beyond normal wear and tear
  • Cleaning costs to restore the unit to move-in condition
  • Costs for restoring or replacing personal property (if lease allows)

What you cannot deduct:

  • Normal wear and tear (minor scuffs, carpet wear, faded paint)
  • Pre-existing damage (document with photos at move-in)
  • Professional cleaning if the tenant left the unit in reasonable condition

Penalty Warning

Violate Washington security deposit laws rules in East Wenatchee and you could owe $3,000+. At East Wenatchee's median rent of $1,500/month, even a single violation adds up fast.

Don’t risk it. Let LeaseBase handle the compliance.

LeaseBase automatically tracks deposit amounts, calculates return deadlines, and generates compliant itemized statements — so you never miss a deadline.

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How East Wenatchee Rents Affect Deposit Amounts

Deposit amounts scale with local rents. Here's what East Wenatchee landlords typically collect:

Unit Size Median Rent (East Wenatchee) Max Deposit (2mo) Penalty Risk
Studio $1,034/mo $2,068 $4,136
1-Bedroom $1,143/mo $2,286 $4,572
2-Bedroom $1,500/mo $3,000 $6,000
3-Bedroom $2,063/mo $4,126 $8,252

Rents based on HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026) for Douglas County.

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Security Deposit Laws in Nearby Cities

Own properties in multiple cities? Rules may differ locally:

Wenatchee, WA
Pop. 35,526
Rock Island, WA
Pop. 1,613
Cashmere, WA
Pop. 3,259
Waterville, WA
Pop. 1,128
Entiat, WA
Pop. 1,400

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How we researched this page: Security deposit laws rules are based on Washington state statutes. Rent data comes from HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026) for Douglas County. Last updated: August 2026.
RA

Reviewed by Rachid Abadli

Founder & CEO, LeaseBase · Sacramento landlord · Self-managing since 2019

LeaseBase is a property management platform — not a law firm. Consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.