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 sublease agreement template, as a PDF to print and a Word file to edit.
- State law generally does not set a dollar or months limit on security deposits.
- The landlord has 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send a full and specific statement of the reasons for keeping any part.
- 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.
- Have a Washington attorney review your final version before you use it.
An agreement between a current tenant and a subtenant for all or part of a rental home, tied to the original lease, with a landlord consent section. This edition fills in the Washington rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.
Washington rules for this form
Deposit limit. State law generally does not set a dollar or months limit on security deposits. (Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18))
Deadline to return the deposit. The landlord has 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send a full and specific statement of the reasons for keeping any part. (RCW 59.18.280)
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)
Notice before entry. The landlord generally gives at least two days of written notice before entering, stating the date and time and a phone number, and one day to show the unit to buyers or renters. (RCW 59.18.150)
Required disclosures. Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d))
Required disclosures. Before collecting a deposit, the landlord must give the tenant a written checklist describing the unit's condition, signed and dated by both sides. (RCW 59.18.260)
Required disclosures. Generally, landlords give tenants written information on fire safety and protection, including smoke detection devices. (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
- Parties
- The master lease
- Subleased space
- Term
- Rent
- Utilities and shared costs
- Security deposit
- Condition and inspection
- Rules
- Repairs and access
- Default
- General terms
- Signatures
- Landlord consent
Before you use it
- In a sublease the original tenant stays responsible to the landlord, and the subtenant answers to the original tenant.
- Most leases require the landlord's written consent before a tenant sublets, and some states limit when a landlord may refuse.
- A sublease can never last longer than the original lease or give the subtenant more rights than the tenant has.
- Landlords should screen subtenants with the same criteria they use for any applicant.
For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the sublease agreement.
Get the Washington sublease agreement
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
- Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18)
- RCW 59.18.280
- RCW 59.18.200 and RCW 59.18.650
- RCW 59.18.150
- Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d)
- RCW 59.18.260
Official sources
Goes with this form
Before you send it.
What does Washington law say about deposit limit?
State law generally does not set a dollar or months limit on security deposits. Source: Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18).
What does Washington law say about deadline to return the deposit?
The landlord has 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send a full and specific statement of the reasons for keeping any part. Source: RCW 59.18.280.
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 notice before entry?
The landlord generally gives at least two days of written notice before entering, stating the date and time and a phone number, and one day to show the unit to buyers or renters. Source: RCW 59.18.150.
What does Washington law say about required disclosures?
Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. Before collecting a deposit, the landlord must give the tenant a written checklist describing the unit's condition, signed and dated by both sides. Generally, landlords give tenants written information on fire safety and protection, including smoke detection devices. Source: Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d); RCW 59.18.260; Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18).