Everything you need to know about finding an apartment, understanding your rights, researching buildings, and navigating Seattle's rental market.
Check RRIO status, building history, and more for free.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in Seattle. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
New to renting in Seattle? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
Find the best neighborhoods in Seattle for your budget. Compare average rents, transit access, and quality of life.
New to Seattle? Start here to learn the basics of apartment hunting.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in Seattle. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
12 min readNew to renting in Seattle? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
14 min readDon't sign a lease without asking these critical questions. Protect yourself from surprises.
7 min readComplete guide for relocating to Seattle. Budget, timeline, neighborhoods, and tips from locals.
15 min readDecode Seattle apartment types: studio, junior 1BR, micro-units, and more. What do they all mean?
8 min readKnow your legal protections as a Seattle renter.
A comprehensive guide to tenant rights in Seattle. From repairs to eviction protections under Washington law.
15 min readLearn what just cause eviction means, what protections it provides, and when landlords can legally evict in Seattle.
10 min readUnderstand your rights when your lease is up. Renewal terms, rent increases, and month-to-month protections.
9 min readKnow your rights regarding heat, hot water, and utilities. Learn what to do if your landlord doesn't comply.
6 min readNeed to break your lease early? Learn your options, potential costs, and how to negotiate.
10 min readLearn how to research any building before you rent.
The essential checklist for researching any Seattle building before you sign. Check RRIO status and more.
10 min readUnderstand Seattle's Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance and what it means for renters.
8 min readUnderstand the true costs of renting in Seattle.
Protect yourself from rental fraud and scams.
Compare building quality, rents, and livability across every Seattle neighborhood.
You'll typically need first month's rent and security deposit (usually one month). Most landlords require income of 2.5-3x monthly rent. For a $2,000/month apartment, expect $4,000-$6,000 upfront and annual income of $60,000-$72,000. Good news: Seattle typically doesn't have broker fees!
Read our First-Time Renter Guide →Seattle's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance protects tenants from arbitrary evictions. Landlords can only evict for specific reasons like non-payment of rent, lease violations, or owner move-in. This provides significant tenant protections.
Read our Just Cause Eviction Guide →RRIO (Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance) requires all Seattle rental properties to be registered and inspected for safety standards. You can check any building's RRIO status through the City of Seattle or on StreetSmart.
Seattle tenants have strong protections including: just cause eviction protection, mandatory RRIO inspections, right to repairs, first-in-time rental application rules, and protection from discrimination. Washington state law provides additional protections.
Read our Complete Tenant Rights Guide →Under Washington state law, landlords must return your security deposit within 21 days of move-out, along with a written statement explaining any deductions. If they miss this deadline, they may forfeit the right to withhold any portion.
Read our Security Deposit Guide →All information in this guide is based on official Seattle data, Washington state law, and verified regulations. StreetSmart aggregates data from multiple sources to give you the most complete picture of any building.
StreetSmart covers 10 major US cities. Explore renters guides for:
Search any Seattle building to find violations, landlord history, and leverage for rent negotiation—100% free.
Find Negotiation Leverage