A Washington 20 Day Notice To Vacate is a letter which complies with state legal requirements to terminate a periodic tenancy, fixed term lease, or shared tenancy. The non-terminating party must receive notice at least twenty (20) calendar days before the date of termination.
When To Use a Washington 20 Day Notice To Vacate
A Washington 20 Day Notice To Vacate is used by a tenant to terminate a periodic tenancy, fixed-term lease, or shared tenancy in the same dwelling, typically on the final day of the lease term or rental period. This includes rental situations with no written lease, or an expired lease.
This form of notice may also be used by a landlord to terminate only a tenancy in a shared dwelling, if the other party resides in the same rental unit and shares the kitchen or bathroom. The landlord’s termination of other tenancies (e.g., a month-to-month lease) requires additional notice.
Some types of Washington lease termination notice may allow different reasons for termination, or different notice periods. This may also apply to an eviction notice issued because of a lease or legal violation.
How To Write a Washington 20 Day Notice To Vacate
To ensure the legal compliance of a Notice To Vacate:
- Use the full name of the receiving party, and address of record, if known
- Specify the termination date of the lease or tenancy
- Fill in the full address of the rental premises
- Provide updated/current address and phone number information
- Print name and sign the notice
- Complete the certificate of service by indicating the date and method of notice delivery, along with printed name and signature
It is easy to lose an otherwise justified legal action because of improper notice. Check carefully to ensure enough time after notice is delivered, not when it’s sent.
How To Serve a Washington 20 Day Notice To Vacate
Washington landlords and tenants may deliver a Notice To Vacate using any of these methods:
- Hand delivery to the other party
- Only if the other party is unavailable: Hand delivery to a person of suitable age who can accept the notice on behalf of the other party, PLUS delivery by mail
- Only if the above forms of hand delivery are not possible: Posting the notice in a conspicuous place on the premises, PLUS delivery by mail, PLUS (if available) leaving a copy of the notice with a resident at the premises
- Service by electronic means, ONLY when this method of notice has been consented to in writing by the receiving party
Electronic service is not effective if the delivering party has reason to believe the receiving party did not receive the notice (such as an email that returns as undeliverable). Mailed notice extends the notice period by (1) calendar day, to account for variable delivery times.
Sources
- 1 WA Rev Code § 59.18.650
-
The tenant continues in possession after an owner or lessor, with whom the tenant shares the dwelling unit or access to a common kitchen or bathroom area, has served at least 20 days’ advance written notice to vacate prior to the end of the rental term or, if a periodic tenancy, the end of the rental period.
A tenant may end a tenancy for a specified time by providing notice in writing not less than 20 days prior to the ending date of the specified time.
Source Link - 2 WA Rev Code § 59.18.200
-
When premises are rented for an indefinite time, with monthly or other periodic rent reserved, such tenancy shall be construed to be a tenancy from month to month, or from period to period on which rent is payable, and shall end by written notice of 20 days or more, preceding the end of any of the months or periods of tenancy, given by the tenant to the landlord.
Source Link - 3 Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.040
-
Any notice provided for in this chapter shall be served either (1) by delivering a copy personally to the person entitled thereto; or (2) if he or she be absent from the premises unlawfully held, by leaving there a copy, with some person of suitable age and discretion, and sending a copy through the mail addressed to the person entitled thereto at his or her place of residence; or (3) if the person to be notified be a tenant, or an unlawful holder of premises, and his or her place of residence is not known, or if a person of suitable age and discretion there cannot be found then by affixing a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place on the premises unlawfully held, and also delivering a copy to a person there residing, if such a person can be found, and also sending a copy through the mail addressed to the tenant, or unlawful occupant, at the place where the premises unlawfully held are situated.
…
When a copy of notice is sent through the mail, as provided in this section, service shall be deemed complete when such copy is deposited in the United States mail in the county in which the property is situated properly addressed with postage prepaid: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That when service is made by mail one additional day shall be allowed before the commencement of an action based upon such notice.
Source Link - 4 Wash. Sup. Ct. Civ. R. CR 5(b)(7)
-
Service under this rule may be made by delivering a copy by any other means, including facsimile or electronic means, consented to in writing by the person served or as authorized under local court rule. Service by facsimile or electronic means is complete on transmission when made prior to 5:00 p.m. on a judicial day. Service made on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or after 5:00 p.m. on any other day shall be deemed complete at 9:00 a.m. on the first judicial day thereafter. Service by other consented means is complete when the person making service delivers the copy to the agency designated to make delivery. Service under this subsection is not effective if the party making service learns that the attempted service did not reach the person to be served.
Source Link
