QUICK LINKS
- 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 a payment date 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 to a payment date 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 by Tenant
Here are the notice requirements for a tenant to give to a landlord:
- Month-to-month lease: 20 days’ notice.
- Lease for a set term longer than one month: At least 20 days’ notice before the end of the term.
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).
