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 vacate the premises. Additionally, there are other notice forms for other possible 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 Notices

The information required on a Washington eviction notice varies depending on the reason for the eviction and is addressed under each notice type below. However, for all notices, it’s a good idea include:

• The date the tenancy will terminate
• The reason for the eviction
• The tenant’s name and contact information

The landlord will 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 Notices

In the state of Washington, landlords can deliver an eviction notice through the following methods :

• Giving it to the tenant in person
• Mailing the notice to the tenant’s last known address via regular mail AND leaving a copy with someone of suitable age and discretion at the rental unit
• Posting the notice in a conspicuous place at the rental unit, AND leaving a copy with someone of suitable age and discretion at the rental unit, AND mailing a copy to the tenant

Mailing may only be done if the tenant cannot be found at the rental unit. Posting may only be done if the tenant’s current address is unknown.

Types of Eviction Notices

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

14-Day Eviction Notice for Nonpayment of Rent

A landlord is allowed to evict a tenant for failing to pay rent on time.

According to Washington law, rent is considered late the day after it’s due; grace periods, if any, are addressed in the lease/rental agreement.

Once rent is past due, the landlord must provide tenants with a 14-Day Notice to Pay if the landlord wants to file an eviction action with the court. This notice gives the tenant the option to pay the past due amount in full within 14 days in order to avoid eviction.

If the tenant does not pay the rent due by the end of the notice period and remains on the property, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

The Eviction Notice for Nonpayment of Rent must substantially conform to the following :

“You are receiving the attached notice because the landlord alleges you are not in compliance with the terms of the lease agreement by failing to pay rent and/or utilities and/or recurring or periodic charges that are past due.”

In addition, the notice must include the total amount of:

• Past-due rent
• Past-due utilities (if any)
• Other recurring/periodic charges authorized by the lease

The Eviction Notice for Nonpayment of rent must also include the following language (or be substantially similar):

“You must pay the total amount due to your landlord within fourteen (14) days after service of this notice or you must vacate the premises. Any payment you make to the landlord must first be applied to the total amount due as shown on this notice.”

Finally, the notice should include the following statement :

“Any failure to comply with this notice within fourteen (14) days after service of this notice may result in a judicial proceeding that leads to your eviction from the premises.”

Get the downloadable 14-Day Eviction Notice for Nonpayment of Rent form template below (.pdf direct link).

10-Day Eviction Notice for Non-Compliance

A tenant can be evicted in Washington if they do not uphold their responsibilities under the terms of a written lease/rental agreement.

Washington landlords must provide tenants with a 10-Day Notice to Comply, giving the tenant 10 days to correct the issue in order to avoid eviction.

Typical lease violations under this category could include things like damaging the rental property, having too many people residing in the rental unit, and having a pet when there’s a no-pet policy.

Note that illegal activity is not included in this category.

If the tenant fails to correct the issue after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

The notice should include :

• The specific lease violation
• The deadline by which the tenant must correct the issue
• That the tenancy will terminate if the issue is not corrected within the deadline

Get the downloadable 10-Day Eviction Notice for Noncompliance form template below (.pdf direct link).

3-Day Eviction Notice for Waste / Nuisance

For violations specifically related to waste, nuisances on the property, or unlawful businesses, the landlord must give tenants 3 days’ written notice prior to beginning the eviction process.

Tenants do not have the option to correct the issue(s) and must move out.

If the tenant remains on the rental property after the notice period expires, the landlord may continue with the eviction process.

The notice should include the date the tenancy will terminate.

Get the downloadable 3-Day Eviction Notice for Waste/Nuisance form template below (.pdf direct link).

20-Day Lease Termination Notice for “At-Will” Tenants

In the state of Washington, if tenants “hold over,” or stay in the rental unit after the rental term has expired, then the landlord must give tenants notice before evicting them.

Often, the tenant has done nothing wrong, but the landlord simply doesn’t want to renew the tenancy.

Regardless of the type of tenancy (month-to-month, week-to-week, etc.), tenants must be given 20 days’ written notice before the landlord can proceed with an eviction action.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may continue with the eviction process.

The notice should include the date the tenancy will terminate.

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