How much notice does a Redmond landlord give for a rent increase?
RMC 9.54.030 deems every rental agreement in Redmond to require not less than 120 days' written notice for a rent increase greater than 3%, and 180 days for an increase greater than 10%; the agreement states the dollar amount of the rent or the increase. Income-based subsidized tenancies get 30 days. At 3% or below the state's 90 days applies (RCW 59.18.140).
Because Washington caps 2026 increases at 9.683% on covered tenancies, the 180-day tier is reached only on exempt property. For a typical Redmond house the working rule is 120 days on the state form (RCW 59.18.720), not inside the first 12 months of the tenancy, and the city's own summary of tenant rights is on the wall where tenants can read it.
What are Redmond's move-in and late-fee limits?
Move-in fees and security deposits charged before possession cannot exceed one month's rent (RMC 9.54.040(A)); the exception for income-based subsidized housing does not cover Housing Choice Voucher tenancies. Tenants on a lease of six months or longer may pay in six equal monthly installments, two on a shorter or month-to-month term (RMC 9.54.040(B)–(C)).
Late fees and penalties for non-payment cannot exceed 1.5% of the tenant's monthly rent (RMC 9.54.050): $60 on a $4,000 house. The lease must also say that a tenant may propose a different rent due date, and that the landlord agrees in writing when the tenant's primary income is a monthly government benefit paid after the due date (RMC 9.54.060, mirroring RCW 59.18.170(3)); an applicant cannot be refused for asking.
Do I need a Redmond business licence, and what is the posting requirement?
Long-term rental of four or fewer residential units at one location in the city is exempt from the Redmond business licence (RMC 5.04.130(A)(4)); five or more units at one property, or any short-term rental, needs one. Redmond's short-term rental licensing rules under RMC 5.04 took effect January 1, 2026, with a $153 city licence per operator in multifamily buildings or per addressed unit elsewhere.
Rental businesses that do hold a licence must ensure accessible posting of the tenant-rights material and resources provided by the city's Development Services Center, consistent with RCW 59.18 (RMC 5.04.070(F), amended 2025 and codified February 2026). The city's own page states the same: landlords post a summary of these tenant protections where every tenant can see it. We post the city's summary in every Redmond home we manage, licence or not; it costs nothing and settles arguments before they start.
Which state rules apply on top of RMC 9.54?
The 2026 cap of 9.683% and the 12-month freeze after move-in (RCW 59.18.700); the RCW 59.18.710 exemptions (first certificate of occupancy 12 or fewer years old, which matters in Redmond's newer neighborhoods; owner-occupied home renting no more than two units or bedrooms; owner-occupied duplex to fourplex, unavailable to corporate or LLC-with-corporate-member owners); just cause with 90 days for owner or family move-in or the sale of a single-family house (RCW 59.18.650); deposits refunded or itemized within 30 days (RCW 59.18.280); two days' notice to enter (RCW 59.18.150).
A Redmond house built in 2016 or later is exempt from the cap until its certificate of occupancy turns 12; the exemption is claimed on the notice with the supporting facts (RCW 59.18.700(2), 59.18.720), and the 120/180-day city tiers still apply.
Why does the search engine confuse Redmond, WA with Redmond, OR?
Because the names match. Nothing on this page applies in Oregon: RMC Chapter 9.54 is the Redmond, Washington code, adopted by Ordinance 3091 in 2022, and the state overlay is Washington's RCW 59.18. If you own in Redmond, Washington (King County, ZIP 98052 and 98053), this is your page.