General information, not legal advice. This template is a starting point. Laws differ by state and city, so have a licensed attorney review your final document before you use it.
Last reviewed
The short version
- A free Washington edition of our lease termination letter template, as a PDF to print and a Word file to edit.
- A tenant ends a month to month tenancy with at least 20 days of written notice before the end of a rental period; a landlord needs one of the causes listed in the statute.
- A landlord generally cannot end or refuse to continue a tenancy without one of the causes listed in the statute, though narrow end of term exceptions require at least 60 days of written notice.
- A tenant who enters active military service, or who gets permanent change of station or deployment orders, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders.
- Have a Washington attorney review your final version before you use it.
A written notice that ends a tenancy, with one version for landlords and one for tenants, plus move-out and deposit details and a proof of delivery. This edition fills in the Washington rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.
Washington rules for this form
Month-to-month notice. A tenant ends a month to month tenancy with at least 20 days of written notice before the end of a rental period; a landlord needs one of the causes listed in the statute. (RCW 59.18.200 and RCW 59.18.650)
Ending a tenancy without cause. A landlord generally cannot end or refuse to continue a tenancy without one of the causes listed in the statute, though narrow end of term exceptions require at least 60 days of written notice. (RCW 59.18.650)
Military service. A tenant who enters active military service, or who gets permanent change of station or deployment orders, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18))
Domestic violence survivors. A survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking who meets documentation rules can end the lease early with written notice. (Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18))
Landlord duty to re-rent. When a tenant leaves early, the landlord generally must make a reasonable effort to re-rent the unit, and the tenant owes rent only until it is re-rented or the term ends. (Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18))
Cities and counties in Washington can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.
What is in the template
- Version A: landlord to tenant
- Proof of delivery
- Version B: tenant to landlord
Before you use it
- A termination letter ends a tenancy the normal way, such as at the end of a lease or with notice on a month-to-month tenancy.
- It is different from an eviction notice, which responds to unpaid rent or a lease violation.
- The notice period, delivery method and any required reason come from the lease and from state and local law.
- Keep a copy and proof of how and when you delivered it.
For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the lease termination letter.
Get the Washington lease termination letter
Free, no sign up. Fill it in by hand or edit the Word file.
General template, not legal advice. Have a Washington attorney review before use.
Verify current law
We last checked these Washington rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Washington attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- RCW 59.18.200 and RCW 59.18.650
- RCW 59.18.650
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18)
- Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18)
Official sources
Goes with this form
Before you send it.
What does Washington law say about month-to-month notice?
A tenant ends a month to month tenancy with at least 20 days of written notice before the end of a rental period; a landlord needs one of the causes listed in the statute. Source: RCW 59.18.200 and RCW 59.18.650.
What does Washington law say about ending a tenancy without cause?
A landlord generally cannot end or refuse to continue a tenancy without one of the causes listed in the statute, though narrow end of term exceptions require at least 60 days of written notice. Source: RCW 59.18.650.
What does Washington law say about military service?
A tenant who enters active military service, or who gets permanent change of station or deployment orders, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. Source: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18).
What does Washington law say about domestic violence survivors?
A survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking who meets documentation rules can end the lease early with written notice. Source: Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18).