Resident Frequently Asked Questions

Wilson Management, Inc.

1380 112th Ave NE, Suite 203 Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 453-0089

Hours
Mon-Fri: 9 - 4
Sat + Sun: By Appointment

How can I submit a rental application?

Do I have to sign a lease?

What is your security deposit policy?

How do the rent payments work?

What happens if I can't pay the rent on time?

What's the pet policy?

Can I change the locks?

Can managers and staff enter my home when I'm not there?

Do I need renters’ insurance?

Your Rights Under Washington Law

How much notice must my landlord give before raising the rent?

In Washington, a minimum of 90 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (RCW 59.18.140). The exception is housing where your rent is based on your income, where 30 days applies. Some cities require longer. See our Washington landlord-tenant law reference.

How much can my rent be increased?

Rent cannot be raised at all during the first 12 months of a tenancy. After that, in any 12-month period, the increase is capped at 7% plus the Consumer Price Index or 10%, whichever is less (RCW 59.18.700). The Department of Commerce publishes the figure annually — 9.683% for 2026 and 10% for 2027. Some properties are exempt under RCW 59.18.710, and an exemption has to be claimed with its supporting facts in the notice itself.

When do I get my security deposit back?

Within 30 days of the tenancy ending and you moving out, your landlord must either refund the deposit or give you a full, specific written statement of what was kept and why (RCW 59.18.280). Deposits cannot be withheld for ordinary wear and tear from normal use.

Can I pay my deposit and move-in fees in installments?

Usually yes. On written request you may pay deposits, non-refundable fees and last month's rent in installments — three equal monthly payments on a lease of three months or longer, two on a shorter one (RCW 59.18.610). A landlord may only refuse where the combined deposits and fees are 25% or less of the first month's rent and last month's rent is not due at the start. No extra fee or interest may be charged for choosing installments.

Is a fee described as non-refundable really non-refundable?

Only if a written rental agreement clearly says so. Under RCW 59.18.285 a non-refundable fee cannot be called a deposit, and if the written agreement does not clearly identify it as non-refundable it must be treated as a refundable deposit and returned to you.

Why do I have to sign a move-in checklist?

Because Washington requires it, and because it protects you. A landlord may not collect a deposit at all without a written rental agreement and a signed, dated checklist describing the condition and cleanliness of the unit, and you are entitled to a copy (RCW 59.18.260). It is the document that shows what was already damaged before you moved in, so fill it in carefully and keep your copy.

Can I be asked to leave without a reason?

No. Washington is a just-cause state: a tenancy may only be ended on one of the grounds listed in RCW 59.18.650, and the notice period depends on the ground — from three days for waste or nuisance up to 90 days where the owner or their immediate family is moving in or a single-family home is being sold. The notice has to state the facts specifically enough for you to respond.

How do I report a repair, and what should I keep?

Submit maintenance requests through your resident portal so the request is timestamped and tracked, or call us during office hours — and for anything urgent, call. Put anything significant in writing and keep your own copy, including photographs where the problem is visible. A clear written record is what makes a repair history easy to establish later. Contact our team if you are not sure whether something qualifies as an emergency.