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Last verified: · Confidence: high
How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Washington?
Short answer
Ending a qualifying fixed-term lease without cause: at least 60 days' written notice before the term ends
Notice: At least 60 days before the lease ends
Washington is a just-cause state: a landlord may not end or refuse to continue a tenancy except for a listed cause. A qualifying fixed-term lease can end without cause at its expiration only with at least 60 days' advance written notice served under RCW 59.12.040.
"A landlord may not evict a tenant, refuse to continue a tenancy, or end a periodic tenancy except for the causes enumerated in subsection (2) of this section and as otherwise provided in this subsection." app.leg.wa.gov
"The landlord has provided the tenant before the end of the specified period at least 60 days' advance written notice that the tenancy will be deemed expired at the end of such specified period, served in a manner consistent with RCW 59.12.040; and" app.leg.wa.gov
Ending a qualifying fixed-term lease without cause: at least 60 days' written notice before the term ends Verified
Deadline: At least 60 days before the lease ends
Washington is a just-cause state: a landlord may not end or refuse to continue a tenancy except for a listed cause. A qualifying fixed-term lease can end without cause at its expiration only with at least 60 days' advance written notice served under RCW 59.12.040.
Who it covers: Only for an initial 6-12 month lease that would roll to month-to-month, or a lease of 12+ months (or successive 6+ month leases) that never became month-to-month. Otherwise a tenancy can end only for a listed cause (RCW 59.18.650(2)). This text is effective until January 1, 2028, when an amended version takes effect.
"A landlord may not evict a tenant, refuse to continue a tenancy, or end a periodic tenancy except for the causes enumerated in subsection (2) of this section and as otherwise provided in this subsection." app.leg.wa.gov
"The landlord has provided the tenant before the end of the specified period at least 60 days' advance written notice that the tenancy will be deemed expired at the end of such specified period, served in a manner consistent with RCW 59.12.040; and" app.leg.wa.gov
Notes: RCW 59.18.650(1) (version effective until January 1, 2028).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Just-cause notice periods: 14-day pay or vacate, 10 days to cure a lease breach, 90 days for owner move-in or sale, 120 days for demolition or rehab Verified
Deadline: Before ending a tenancy for cause: 14 days to pay rent; at least 10 days to cure a breach; 90 days for owner or family move-in or sale of a single-family home; 120 days for demolition, substantial rehabilitation or change of use
To end a tenancy for unpaid rent, serve the statutory 14-day notice to pay or vacate. For other lease breaches, give at least 10 days to fix the breach. For an owner or immediate family move-in or the sale of a single-family home, give at least 90 days' written notice; for demolition, substantial rehabilitation or a change of use, at least 120 days.
Who it covers: Other causes have their own periods (e.g. 60 days for other good cause or four or more violations in 12 months, 30 days for uninhabitable condemned units). The 14-day notice must use the statutory form.
"You must pay the total amount due to your landlord within fourteen (14) days after service of this notice or you must vacate the premises." app.leg.wa.gov
"and the breach has not been adequately remedied by the date specified in the notice, which date must be at least 10 days after service of the notice;" app.leg.wa.gov
"and the owner has provided at least 90 days' advance written notice of the date the tenant's possession is to end." app.leg.wa.gov
"Whenever a landlord plans to demolish or substantially rehabilitate premises or plans a change of use of premises, the landlord shall provide a written notice to a tenant at least 120 days before the tenancy ends." app.leg.wa.gov
Notes: RCW 59.18.057, 59.18.650(2), 59.18.200(2)(c) (versions effective until January 1, 2028).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction