Washington 90 Day Notice To Vacate

Last Updated: March 5, 2024 by Roberto Valenzuela

A Washington 90 Day Notice To Vacate is a letter which complies with state legal requirements to terminate a lease for a qualifying reason, such as the sale of a single-family dwelling or a change in use of the premises. The non-terminating party must receive notice at least ninety (90) calendar days before the date of termination.

When To Use a Washington 90 Day Notice To Vacate

A Washington 90 Day Notice To Vacate terminates a lease in these situations:

  • Sale of the rental premises, when the premises are a single-family dwelling unit
  • Landlord or landlord’s immediate family to occupy the rental premises
  • Landlord plans to change policy at the property to exclude children on the premises

In Seattle only, the landlord may provide a 90 Day Notice To Vacate to terminate in these situations, after approval from the Department of Construction and Inspections:

  • Change of use of the premises
  • Substantial rehabilitation
  • Housing demolition
  • Property has become exempt from rent or income restrictions

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 90 Day Notice To Vacate

To ensure the legal compliance of a Notice To Vacate:

  1. Use the full name of the receiving party, and address of record, if known
  2. Specify the termination date of the lease or tenancy
  3. Specify the basis for terminating the tenancy
  4. Fill in the full address of the rental premises
  5. Provide updated/current address and phone number information
  6. Print name and sign the notice
  7. 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 90 Day Notice To Vacate

Washington landlords may deliver a Notice To Vacate using any of these methods:

    1. Hand delivery to the tenant
    2. Only if the tenant is unavailable: Hand delivery to a person of suitable age who can accept the notice on behalf of the tenant, PLUS delivery by mail
    3. 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
    4. Service by electronic means, ONLY when this method of notice has been consented to for this purpose, 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.

    note
    In almost all cases, notice is legally served when it is received by the other party, NOT when it’s sent. Check specified date of termination carefully to ensure compliance with the legal requirements for a notice period.

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