Washington Notice to Vacate

A notice to vacate, also called an eviction notice or notice to quit, is a legal document sent by landlords to provide written notice of a violation or end a tenancy in a rental property.

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What is a notice to vacate in Washington?

A notice to vacate in Washington is a legal document sent by landlords to provide written notice of a lease violation or to end a tenancy under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030. In most cases, this is the first step to beginning the legal eviction process.

When to use a notice to vacate in Washington

Late payment or non-payment of rent
The tenant has violated the terms of the rental agreement
You want to formally notify your tenant that they must resolve a lease violation within a certain amount of time or else they will be evicted from the property
Your tenant has remained on the property after the lease term has ended or after you notified them that you are ending their tenancy

Complete a notice to vacate in three easy steps

1. Determine the Grounds for Eviction
Most states, including Washington, require you to provide reasons for evicting your tenant, such as non-payment of rent or violation of the terms of the lease under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030.
2. Complete Our Notice to Vacate Form
Provide detailed information about the rental property, including the full address, the name of the tenant, and the date that the lease was signed.
3. Send the Notice to Vacate to the Tenant
The service of a notice to vacate officially commences the legal eviction process. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may be able to send the notice to vacate by delivering it personally to the tenant, posting it to the tenant’s door, or delivering it by certified mail.

Washington Notice Periods

Note that while these notice periods differ depending on the reason for eviction, Washington law sets specific timeframes landlords must follow.

Nonpayment of Rent: The notice period depends on the specific circumstances of the tenancy (Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030). LegalNature's state-specific form automatically applies the correct timeframe based on your answers.

Lease Violation: 10 days (Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030).

End of a Fixed-Term Lease: In most cases, no separate notice is required when a fixed-term lease simply expires and is not renewed (Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.030). LegalNature's Notice to Vacate form will confirm whether Washington requires any additional notice for your specific lease.

Month-to-Month or At-Will Tenancy: The notice period depends on the specific circumstances of the tenancy (Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.200). LegalNature's state-specific form automatically applies the correct timeframe based on your answers.

Note that certain circumstances require specialized notices. As state and local laws vary, it is important to understand the laws in your area. Regardless of which notice you need, each serves to exercise the legal rights afforded by the landlord-tenant relationship.

Create a Notice to Vacate

Elements of a notice to vacate document

Reason for eviction: LegalNature’s notice to vacate form builder will guide you through selecting the appropriate reason for eviction and include the appropriate notice period options.

Notice period: Landlords must adhere to state-mandated minimum notice periods.

Tenant response timeline: Clearly state the time allowed for tenants to: a) remedy any violation (if applicable), or b) vacate the property.

Serving the notice: Each state has different rules that landlords are required to know and follow. LegalNature’s form includes a Proof of Service page that helps landlords prove that their notice was properly served. While optional in many states, we recommend that landlords always use it.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between an eviction notice, notice to vacate, and notice to quit?

Any notice directing a resident to leave a property is considered be an “eviction notice.” Both a “notice to vacate” and a “notice to quit” are types of eviction notices that seek the same basic goal: to formally notify someone that they must leave the property. Some of the most common reasons for issuing an eviction notice are the termination or violation of a lease, mortgage foreclosure, or rent delinquency. Whether it be a notice to quit or a notice to vacate, all eviction notices must comply with applicable state laws in order to have any legal effect.

How is a notice to vacate served in Washington?

Washington law (RCW § 59.12.040) requires one of three specific methods: personal delivery to the tenant or a person of suitable age at the property, mailing (which must be sent from within Washington state), or — only as a last resort — posting the notice on the premises combined with mailing a copy.

What is a notice for termination WITHOUT cause?

A notice for termination without cause is used by landlords to end a tenancy where the tenant has not done anything wrong. These types of eviction notices are frequently used by landlords who wish to raise the rent and need to remove the tenant in order to do so. In general, a 30-day notice to vacate is used to end the tenancy of month-to-month rentals or a lease agreement that has been in existence for less than one year. A 60-day notice to vacate is most frequently used to end a lease agreement that has been in existence for at least one year.

What is a notice for termination WITH cause?

Landlords use a notice for termination with cause to rectify a tenant’s failure to comply with obligations found within a lease agreement. A landlord should always be familiar with their local and state laws as the rules for serving an eviction notice can vary greatly.

Common causes are:

failure to pay rent,
damaging the property, or
violating one or more terms of the lease agreement.

Depending on applicable laws, a 3-day notice to vacate may be used when a tenant has failed to pay rent and the landlord wants to remedy this situation as quickly as possible.

How long does a notice to vacate take in Washington?

The notice period in Washington depends on the reason for eviction — see the Washington Notice Periods section above for the specific timeframes and governing statutes. Once the notice period expires and the tenant has not complied, the landlord may proceed with filing a formal eviction action in court.

Washington Notice to Vacate

What is a notice to vacate in Washington?

When to use a notice to vacate in Washington

Complete a notice to vacate in three easy steps

1. Determine the Grounds for Eviction

2. Complete Our Notice to Vacate Form

3. Send the Notice to Vacate to the Tenant

Washington Notice Periods

Elements of a notice to vacate document

Frequently asked questions

Create your notice to vacate in minutes

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