Washington Eviction Notice Law
Washington's notice period for unpaid rent is 14 days (14-day notice to pay rent or vacate the premises). For a lease violation it is 10 days, and the tenant gets a chance to fix the problem.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Not legal advice. A defective notice can restart an eviction case; ask a Washington attorney or court self-help center before serving one. See our disclaimer.
Washington eviction notice rules at a glance
| Notice for unpaid rent | 14 days (14-day notice to pay rent or vacate the premises)RCW 59.12.030(3), RCW 59.18.057, RCW 59.18.650(2)(a) |
|---|---|
| Notice for a lease violation | 10 days (chance to cure)RCW 59.12.030(4), RCW 59.18.650(2)(b) |
| Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no-fault) | Landlord 90 days · tenant 20 daysRCW 59.18.650, RCW 59.18.200, RCW 59.12.030(2) |
Notice for unpaid rent
- In effect since .
- Before : 3-day notice to pay rent or vacate (changed to 14 days by ESSB 5600, Laws of 2019, ch. 356).
Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no-fault)
- In effect since .
What Washington law says
What notice must a Washington landlord give before filing an eviction for unpaid rent?
For unpaid rent, serve the statutory 14-day notice to pay or vacate (using the RCW 59.18.057 form) and wait 14 days after service before filing for eviction (RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057).
How much notice is required for a lease violation in Washington?
For a lease violation other than rent, serve a written 10-day notice to comply or vacate specifying the breach, and the tenancy can be ended only if the breach is not cured within that time (RCW 59.12.030(4); RCW 59.18.650(2)(b)).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Washington?
A landlord cannot end a month-to-month tenancy without one of the just causes listed in RCW 59.18.650, and the notice depends on the cause (for example 90 days for owner move-in or sale of a single-family home, 120 days for demolition or conversion), while a tenant may end it with 20 days' written notice before the end of a rental period (RCW 59.18.650; RCW 59.18.200(1)).
How Washington compares
37 of 49 verified jurisdictions use a shorter unpaid-rent notice.
None of Washington's 2 neighbors follows the same rule.
Local rules in Washington
Several cities add stricter rules on top of state law: Seattle caps the security deposit plus move-in fees at one month's rent (move-in fees ≤10% of first month's rent, pet deposit ≤25%), caps late fees at $10/month (SMC 7.24.034), and requires 180 days' notice of rent increases; Tacoma and Bellingham require 120 days' notice of rent increases. Other cities (e.g., Burien, Federal Way, Kenmore, Redmond, Spokane, King County unincorporated) have their own ordinances — check the city code. State law preempts city rent control (RCW 35.21.830), but the statewide rent-increase cap (RCW 59.18.700) applies everywhere.
Recent changes in Washington
- Eviction notices: regular mail replaces certified (effective ): When an eviction notice (or a notice that must be served the same way, such as a rent-increase or termination notice) is served by leaving it with someone at the unit, the mailed copy no longer has to go by certified mail; it may be sent through the mail, addressed to the tenant's residence, and mail service is complete when posted from within Washington. Five extra days are still added when service is by mail (RCW 59.12.040). RCW 59.12.040, HB 2664 final bill report (C 144 L 26), HB 2664 session law (Laws of 2026, ch. 144), HB 2664 bill status (effective 6/11/2026)
- Eviction notices by mail: 5 extra days (effective ): When an eviction notice is served by leaving it with someone at the unit, the mailed copy had to go by certified mail posted from within Washington, and any service that includes mailing now adds five days (formerly one) before the landlord may file the eviction (RCW 59.12.040). RCW 59.12.040, HB 1003 session law (Laws of 2025, ch. 44), HB 1003 bill status (effective 7/27/2025)
Other Washington rules
| Security deposit limit | No state capRCW 59.18.610, RCW 59.18.260 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after move-outRCW 59.18.280(1) |
| Late-fee cap | No state capRCW 59.18.170 |
| Entry notice | 48 hours' noticeRCW 59.18.150(5)-(6) |
| Rent-increase notice | 90 days (30 days for subsidized tenancies where rent is based on tenant income. Notice must use the statutory 'Rent and Fee Increase Notice' form (RCW 59.18.720) and cannot take effect before the end of a fixed term. Local: Seattle 180 days; Tacoma and Bellingham 120 days)RCW 59.18.140(3), RCW 59.18.720 |
Read the Washington law
Put the rent due date and notice terms in writing
Related
- Washington lease agreement
- Washington landlord-tenant law
- Eviction notice laws in every state
- Washington notice to vacate
- Washington late rent notice
- Washington rent increase notice
- Washington security deposit return letter
- Washington notice of entry
- Washington lease termination letter
- Washington lease renewal letter