A Washington lease termination notice is a document that officially announces the upcoming end of a rental tenancy. Either a landlord or tenant may give notice, in most cases at least 20 days in advance.
Washington Fixed-Term Termination Notice
Download Tenant To Landlord Notice (PDF) – Download Landlord To Tenant Notice (PDF)
A Washington Fixed-Term Termination Notice provides notice for the upcoming end of a fixed-term lease. Washington doesn’t require notice to terminate a fixed-term leases on the agreed end date, but providing notice helps avoid potential no-lease situations. In most cases, it’s preferable to send this notice at least twenty (20) calendar days before the agreed end date for the lease.
Washington Month-to-Month Termination Notice
Download Tenant To Landlord Notice (PDF) – Download Landlord To Tenant Notice (PDF)
A Washington Month-to-Month Termination Notice terminates month-to-month tenancies. This form may also serve as notice of non-renewal with no lease or an expired lease. The non-terminating party must receive notice at least twenty (20) calendar days before the end of the following rental period or expiration of the lease.
How To Write a Lease Termination Notice in Washington
To ensure the legal compliance of a lease termination notice:
- Use the full name of the receiving party, and address of record, if known
- Specify the termination date of the lease or tenancy
- Fill in the full address of the rental premises
- Provide updated/current address and phone number information
- Print name and sign the notice
- 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 Calculate Expiration Date in Washington
The “clock” for a lease termination notice starts “ticking” the day after the notice gets delivered (served). For example, to give at least 30 days of notice and terminate a tenancy as of June 30th, delivery of the termination letter must be no later than May 31st.
In most jurisdictions, if the last day of a notice period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
How To Serve a Lease Termination Notice in Washington
Washington landlords and tenants may deliver a lease termination notice using any of these methods:
- Hand delivery to the other party
- Hand delivery to a person of suitable age who can accept the notice on behalf of the other party, PLUS mailed notice
- Posting the notice in a conspicuous place on the premises, PLUS mailed notice, PLUS (if available) leaving the notice with a resident at the premises
Mailed notice extends the notice period by (1) calendar day, to account for variable delivery times.
