Washington Notice to Vacate

About the Washington Notice to Vacate

Many property managers use property management software to stay on top of rent collections and notice periods. A landlord or property manager in Washington can use the Washington Landlord Notice to Vacate Form when they want a tenant to vacate the rental property at the end of their lease (or leave in 30 days or more if there is no lease). Tenants can use the Washington Tenant Notice to Vacate Form to inform landlords and property managers of their intention to vacate the rental property at least 30 days before they intend to move out, or longer if required by the terms of their Washington Lease Agreement. There are several other situations in which the Washington Notice to Vacate might be used, like if the rental property has been sold or if the building has been condemned.

The Notice to Vacate form is useful in the following cases:

• The lease term is ending.
• The tenant has a month-to-month lease in Washington.
• The tenant hasn’t vacated the rental property after the lease has expired.
• The tenant doesn’t have a lease.
• The rental property is being sold or repurposed.
• To ensure legal accuracy, refer to the Title 59 – Washington Revised Code and the Washington Courts Eviction Guide.
• Used at the end of a lease agreement
• For month-to-month rental terminations
• When the tenant remains after lease expiration
• As part of a broader process

Washington Notice to Vacate - What should it Include?

The Washington Notice to Vacate Form is an easy way to end your Washington rental lease. Landlords or tenants in Washington can use this form to communicate the date by which the rental property should be empty. For month-to-month leases (see the Washington rental agreement for tenancies at will) most states will require at least a 30 Day Notice to Vacate. The Washington Notice to Vacate could be given in the form of a 30 Day Notice to Vacate, 60 Day Notice to Vacate, or a 90 Day Notice to Vacate, depending on the circumstances. The notice period required is typically defined in the rental lease terms. period required is typically defined in the rental lease terms.

1. Address of the Rental Property: Full legal address and unit description.
2. Name of tenant and other persons who need to vacate the property: Full legal names of all involved parties.
3. Date of the Notice.
4. Landlord or Property Manager's Name: Include the full name or legal business name of the person or entity issuing the notice.
5. Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length.
6. Move-Out Date (Vacate Date): The exact date the tenant must vacate the premises and return possession to the landlord.
7. Reason for Lease Termination.
8. Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature, depending on who is initiating the notice.
9. Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with Washington Civil Code and may not be valid outside Washington.

Washington Notice to Vacate – What should I do with it?

If you are a tenant who has received the Washington Landlord Notice to Vacate, you may need to remove all of your possessions and vacate the rental property by the date stated on the Notice to Vacate Form. If you are a landlord or property manager who has received the Washington Tenant Notice to Vacate, you should start finding a new tenant for your rental property. If a Notice to Vacate is given before a tenant’s Washington Lease Agreement has ended, additional actions may need to be taken by either party depending on the terms of the Washington rental agreement.

Washington Notice to Vacate – What else should I know?

If you’re planning to end a tenancy in Washington, using the correct notice type and timing (most commonly 60 days, not 30 days) is essential to stay compliant with state law. The following key points explain when to use a Notice to Vacate, how it differs from other forms, and what steps help avoid common mistakes.

• Purpose: A Washington Notice to Vacate tells a tenant to move out after the lease ends (typically for month-to-month tenancies) or when there is no written lease. It’s similar to a Notice to Quit but usually applies to no-fault or non-violation situations.
• Not an Eviction: This notice does not evict the tenant or terminate an active lease. If the tenant remains after the notice period, the landlord must file an eviction action (Unlawful Detainer) in court under Title 59 – Revised Code of Washington (RCW).
• When to Use Other Forms:
  • Use a 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate for nonpayment of rent (RCW 59.12 & RCW 59.18).
  • Use a 10-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate for lease violations, such as property damage or other non-compliance issues.
  • Use a Lease Termination Form to end a fixed-term lease early or for other lease breaches.
• Timing & Compliance:
  • 60-Day Notice Required: Washington law requires at least 60 days’ written notice for a landlord to end a month-to-month tenancy for no-fault reasons under RCW 59.18.650.
  • Special Rule – 120 Days: If the landlord plans to sell, demolish, or substantially rehabilitate the property, a 120-day notice is required.
  • Tenants ending a month-to-month tenancy must give 20 days’ written notice under RCW 59.18.200.
  • Always check RCW Title 59 and local ordinances, especially in cities with added just-cause requirements (e.g., Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane).
• Serving the Notice & Avoiding Mistakes:
  • Deliver the notice in person, by first-class mail, or by certified mail, and keep proof of delivery.
  • Include the names of landlord and tenant, property address, notice length, move-out date, and contact details.
  • Add instructions for key return, final walkthrough, and security deposit refund rules.Under Washington law, deposits must be returned within 30 days, or within 21 days if governed by updated RLTA amendments—always verify current RCW 59.18 requirements.
  • Keep detailed records of all communications for legal protection.

Key Terms & Provisions

A Washington Notice to Vacate is a legal document used by either a landlord or a tenant to formally notify the other party that they intend to end the rental agreement. It must comply with Washington Civil Code and be delivered in a legally acceptable way:

• Date of Notice – The specific calendar date when the notice is issued.
• Names of All Parties Involved – Full legal names of the tenant(s) and landlord/property manager.
• Rental Property Address – Full legal address and unit description.
• Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length 
• Move-Out Date
• Reason for Termination
• Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature, depending on who is initiating the notice.
• Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with Washington Civil Code and may not be valid outside Washington.

Why Washington Landlords & Property Managers Choose SimplifyEm Notice to Vacate Template?

We know how important it is to handle lease terminations legally and efficiently in Washington. That’s why our Washington Notice to Vacate Template is built to simplify the process and reduce legal risk. Here’s why property managers and landlords across the state rely on SimplifyEm’s trusted template:

• Legally Compliant – Our Notice to Vacate form aligns with the Washington Residential Landlord–Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) and current state requirements, ensuring your notices are valid and enforceable.
• Covers 14-Day, 10-Day, 20-Day, and 60-Day Notice Requirements –
  • 14-Day Notice for nonpayment of rent (not 3 days).
  • 10-Day Notice for lease violations.
  • 20-Day Notice for ending a month-to-month tenancy, unless “just cause” rules apply.
  • 60-Day Notice required for many “just-cause” terminations under RCW 59.18.650, such as owner move-in or substantial rehabilitation. Our template includes all timelines required under current Washington law.
• Clear & Easy to Fill Out – Designed for both landlords and tenants, the form’s simple layout makes it easy to enter key details, specify move-out dates, and issue notices correctly.
• Helps Avoid Disputes – Clear language and built-in documentation guidance help reduce misunderstandings and prevent costly legal issues at move-out.
• Trusted by Thousands of Property Owners – Backed by SimplifyEm, a top-rated property management platform used by landlords and managers nationwide to stay compliant and organized.

Why choose us