Washington Eviction Notice Requirements

In Washington, a landlord must serve a 14-day notice to pay or vacate before filing an eviction case for unpaid rent. For other lease violations, the landlord serves a 10-day notice to comply or vacate. A month-to-month tenancy cannot be ended without cause; under RCW 59.18.650, a landlord must have one of the listed reasons, and each reason carries its own notice period, such as 90 days when the owner will move in or is selling a single-family home.

The 14-day notice must be substantially in the form set out in RCW 59.18.057, including the amounts due, the statement that payment must be made within 14 days after service, and information about rental assistance, appointed counsel, and mediation. Under RCW 59.12.040, a notice must be delivered personally, left with a person of suitable age and discretion at the premises and mailed, or posted on the premises and mailed if no such person can be found.

If the tenant does not pay, comply, or leave, the landlord files an unlawful detainer action in the superior court of the county where the property is located. Subject to available funding, the court must appoint counsel for an indigent tenant in an eviction case. Washington law prohibits a landlord from removing or excluding a tenant without a court order and from intentionally cutting off utilities, under RCW 59.18.290 and 59.18.300.