SEATTLE — Rent increases in Washington state cannot exceed 10% this year under a new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson earlier this month , state officials said Friday.

The law, which includes some exceptions, prevents landlords from raising rent more than 10% annually or above a variable threshold tied to inflation — whichever is lower.

The Washington State Department of Commerce confirmed Friday the cap will be set at 10% for the remainder of 2025. The department said it will announce the cap for 2026 later this summer after reviewing updated inflation data.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday that the Consumer Price Index for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area rose 0.4% for the two months ending in April.

Under the new law, the rent ceiling may fall below 10% dependi

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