Washington Eviction Notice Forms

A Washington eviction notice form for nonpayment of rent is a written document that states a tenant has 14 days to pay the rent or to vacate the premises. Additionally, there are other notice forms for other grounds for eviction in Washington.

Read further to learn about what information is required on an eviction notice for it to be valid, legally acceptable ways of delivering notices, and types of notices for all possible grounds for eviction.

Information Required for all Washington Eviction Notices

Under Washington law, a landlord is expected to provide some basic information on each eviction notice. For nonpayment of rent, the notice must include:

• The reason for the eviction
• Total rent amount due, plus any amount owed for past-due utilities and/or “other” charges
• Statement that the landlord can begin an eviction proceeding if rent is not paid within 14 days
• Where the past-due rent should be sent
• Landlord/owner’s signature and date

For all other notices, the landlord must include the reason for the eviction notice, and what, if anything, the tenant can do to comply, with the notice.
The landlord may also want to get the tenant’s signature confirming that they received the eviction notice, if the notice was hand delivered.

Acceptable Ways of Delivering Eviction Notices

In the state of Washington, landlords can deliver an eviction notice in the following ways:

• Giving it to the tenant in person
• Mailing the notice to the tenant’s last known address via regular mail AND giving a copy to someone at the rental unit (if the tenant is not there)
• Or, posting the notice up on the rental unit in a visible location, AND attempting to deliver a copy to someone at the rental unit (if tenant is not there), AND mailing a copy addressed to the tenant at the rental unit

The second option can only be used if the tenant is not at the rental unit when the notice is delivered. The last option can only be used if the landlord/landlord’s agent is not aware of the tenant’s current address.

If the landlord sends the notice via regular mail, delivery is accomplished if the notice has a proper address, correct postage, and is deposited with the post office in the county in which the rental unit is located, regardless of whether the tenant acknowledges receipt of the notice.

Types of Eviction Notices

Each possible ground for eviction has its own process and notice requirements.

Notice for Nonpayment of Rent: 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent

In order to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent, a Washington landlord must first give the tenant a 14-Day Notice to Pay and the opportunity to pay the amount owed. If the tenant fails to pay the rent in full within that time period, the landlord may file for eviction.

The Notice for Failure to Pay Rent should include the total amount owed, which would also include any past-due utilities or additional charges, like late fees.

In the state of Washington, a tenant can avoid being evicted by paying the total amount owed within 14 days of receiving the notice.

Get the downloadable 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent form template below (.pdf direct link).

Eviction Notice for Noncompliance: 3- or 10-Day Notice

When a tenant has failed to meet their statutorily defined duties as a tenant (see §§59.18.130 and 140 for the specific responsibilities), a Washington landlord has two options when it comes to eviction notices.

The first option is to give the tenant 10 days’, notice to comply if it’s something the tenant is able to correct. The tenant has 10 days to correct the issue or the lease will terminate at the end of the notice period.

Get the downloadable 10-Day Notice to Comply form template below (.pdf direct link).

Waste, Nuisances, or Unlawful Businesses

For violations specifically related to waste, nuisances on the property, or unlawful businesses (which may include illegal drug and/or other criminal activity, according to local law firms), the landlord must give tenants 3 days’ notice, and the lease will terminate at the end of the notice period.

Tenants do not have the option to comply with the 3-day notice and must move out.

For other illegal activity, landlords are not required to give notice, prior to eviction.

Get the downloadable 3-Day Notice to Quit form template below (.pdf direct link).

Lease Termination for Tenants at Will

Under Washington law, landlords can give month-to-month tenants 20-days’ written notice if they want to terminate the lease. The lease terminates at the end of the normal rental period, not after 20 days.

Get the downloadable 20-Day Notice to Quit form template below (.pdf direct link).