A Washington 30 Day Notice To Vacate is a letter which complies with state legal requirements to terminate a lease when the premises are deemed uninhabitable by a government agency, or when the tenant refuses to sign a new lease. The non-terminating party must receive notice at least thirty (30) calendar days before the date of termination.
When To Use a Washington 30 Day Notice To Vacate
A Washington 30 Day Notice To Vacate terminates a rental agreement under these conditions:
- The tenant has refused to sign a new rental agreement with reasonable terms
- A local agency has notified the landlord that the premises are certified or condemned as uninhabitable
- The landlord has provided a 120 Day Notice To Vacate related to an upcoming condo conversion, and the tenant wishes to terminate earlier than the end of the 120-day notice period
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 30 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
- Specify the basis for terminating the 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 30 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
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The tenant continues in possession of a dwelling unit after the expiration of a rental agreement without signing a proposed new rental agreement proffered by the landlord; provided, that the landlord proffered the proposed new rental agreement at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the current rental agreement and that any new terms and conditions of the proposed new rental agreement are reasonable. This subsection (2)(k) does not apply to tenants whose tenancies are or have become periodic.
The tenant continues in possession, after the landlord has provided at least 30 days’ advance written notice to vacate that: (i) The premises has been certified or condemned as uninhabitable by a local agency charged with the authority to issue such an order; and (ii) continued habitation of the premises would subject the landlord to civil or criminal penalties. However, if the terms of the local agency’s order do not allow the landlord to provide at least 30 days’ advance written notice, the landlord must provide as much advance written notice as is possible and still comply with the order.
Source Link - 2 WA Rev Code § 64.34.440
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Condo Conversion:
At the declarant’s/landlord’s option, the declarant/landlord may provide all tenants in a single building with an option to terminate their lease or rental agreements without cause or consequence after providing the declarant/landlord with 30 days’ notice. In such case, tenants continue to have access to relocation assistance under subsection (6)(e) of this section.
Source Link - 3 Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.040
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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.
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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)
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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