- Tenant to Landlord (End of Lease) [.pdf] – no prior notice is required in Washington at the end of a fixed-term lease, but it is recommended to send the landlord a letter.
- Tenant to Landlord (Month-to-Month) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 20 days prior to the end of a rental month in Washington for month-to-month leases or “at will” tenants that pay rent month-to-month.
- Landlord to Tenant (End of Lease) [.pdf] – no prior notice is required in Washington at the end of a fixed-term lease, but it is recommended to send the tenant a letter.
- Landlord to Tenant (Month-to-Month) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 20 days prior end of a rental month in Washington for month-to-month leases or “at will” tenants that pay rent month-to-month.
Purpose. A Washington lease termination letter (“Notice to Vacate”) is a required document to end month-to-month lease agreements in Washington. State law requires giving at least 20 days notice for termination. However, state law does not require notice to be given to end fixed term lease agreements on their end date.
Read further to learn more about notice requirements and the residential lease termination process in Washington.
Notice Requirements for Lease Termination
The required notice period for terminating periodic leases or leases without a definite term is 20 days from the end of a period of tenancy. If the rent is from month-to-month, the 20-day Notice of Termination must be given 20 days before the end of the “rental month.” For example, if the 1 month’s rent covers January 5 to February 5, then the notice must be given 20 days before February 5. But if the rental month is from the first to the last day of each month, then the notice must be given 20 days before the end of the month.
Legally Terminating a Lease Early
Here are the reasons that a tenant may legally terminate a lease early:
- Inhabitable Premises: Violations of the Washington Health or Safety Codes (section 59.18.100, .110, and .115).
- Privacy Violation: If a landlord violates a tenant’s privacy rights by entering the premises without proper notice or harasses a tenant (section 59.18.150).
- Domestic Violence: If a tenant is the victim of domestic violence (section 59.18.575).
- Military Service: If a tenant must relocate due to being called for active military duty (Federal law: War and National Defense Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 App. U.S.C.A. section 501).
