Washington Eviction Notice

Types of Washington Eviction Notices

In Washington, the type of eviction notice issued depends on the reason for the eviction. The following are the primary types of eviction notices:

1. 14-Day Notice to Quit

• Grounds: Non-payment of rent.
• Details: The tenant must pay all past due rent or vacate within 14 days. This notice can be issued the day after rent is due, with no grace period.

2. 10-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate

• Grounds: Lease violations that are curable (e.g., health/safety violations).
• Details: The tenant must correct the violation or vacate within 10 days.

3. 30-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate

• Grounds: Curable lease violations requiring monetary compensation.
• Details: The tenant must correct the situation or pay for damages within 30 days.

4. 3-Day Notice to Vacate

• Grounds: Incurable lease violations (e.g., deliberate destruction of property).
• Details: The tenant must vacate within 3 judicial days.

5. Immediate Notice to Vacate

• Grounds: Illegal activities on the premises (e.g., violent crimes).
• Details: The tenant must vacate immediately or on the next judicial day if served on a weekend or holiday.

6. 20-Day Notice to Quit

• Grounds: Unwanted sexual advances or other specified reasons.
• Details: The tenant must vacate within 20 days.

7. 30-Day Notice to Quit

• Grounds: Overstaying the lease or falsifying rental application information.
• Details: The tenant must vacate within 30 days.

8. 60-Day Notice to Quit

• Grounds: Failing to disclose or register as a sex offender.
• Details: The tenant must vacate within 60 days.

9. 60-Day Notice of Termination

• Grounds: Multiple lease violations within a 12-month period.
• Details: The tenant must vacate within 60 days after receiving the notice.

Legal Grounds for Eviction

Landlords in Washington may evict tenants for various reasons, including but not limited to:

• Non-payment of rent (14 days’ notice).
• Lease violations (10 days’ notice).
• Illegal activities (3 days’ notice).
• Termination of a month-to-month lease (20 days’ notice).

Serving an Eviction Notice

Landlords may deliver eviction notices using the following methods:

1. Hand Delivery: Directly to the tenant.
2. Substitute Service: If the tenant is unavailable, deliver to a person of suitable age at the premises and mail a copy.
3. Posting: If hand delivery is not possible, post the notice in a conspicuous place on the premises and mail a copy.
4. Electronic Service: Only if previously consented to in writing by the tenant.

Eviction Process Steps

1. Provide Notice: The landlord must serve the appropriate eviction notice to the tenant.
2. File a Complaint: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord can file an unlawful detainer action in the local Superior Court.
3. Serve the Tenant: A copy of the complaint must be served to the tenant by someone other than the landlord.
4. Attend Court Hearing: If the tenant responds, a hearing will be scheduled. If the tenant does not respond, the court may issue a default judgment in favor of the landlord.
5. Obtain Writ of Restitution: If the court rules in favor of the landlord, a Writ of Restitution is issued, allowing law enforcement to remove the tenant if necessary.

Important Legal Citations

• Nonpayment of Rent: Washington Revised Code § 59.12.030(3).
• Violation of Lease: Washington Revised Code § 59.12.030(4).
• Lease Termination: Washington Revised Code § 59.18.200(1)(a).

Statutes

• Washington RCW §§ 59.18.060 – Landlord-Duties
• Washington RCW §§ 59.18.130 – Duties of tenant
• RCW §§ 59.18.280 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Statement and notice of basis for retention-Remedies for landlord’s failure to make refund-Exception
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.270 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Deposit by landlord in trust account-Receipt-Remedies under foreclosure-Claims
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.285 – Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit-Written rental agreement required-Remedies
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.260 – Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant-Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord-Written checklist required
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.063 – Landlord-Written receipts for payments made by tenant
• Wash. Rev. Code § 62A.3-515 – Checks dishonored by nonacceptance or nonpayment; liability for interest; rate; collection costs and attorneys’ fees; satisfaction of claim
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.115 – Substandard and dangerous conditions-Notice to landlord-Government certification-Escrow account
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.100 – Landlord’s failure to carry out duties-Repairs effected by tenant-Procedure-Deduction of cost from rent-Limitations
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.310 – Default in rent-Abandonment-Liability of tenant-Landlord’s remedies-Sale of tenant’s property by landlord, deceased tenant exception
• Wash. Rev. Code §59.04.030 – Tenancy for specified time-Termination
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.200(1a-b) – [Effective 1/1/2028] Tenancy from month to month or for rental period-End of tenancy-Armed forces exception-Exclusion of children-Conversion to condominium-Demolition, substantial rehabilitation of the premises-Notice
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.050 – Tenancy by sufferance-Termination
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(3) – Unlawful detainer defined
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(4) – Unlawful detainer defined
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.030(5) – Unlawful detainer defined
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.150(6) – Landlord’s right of entry-Purposes-Searches by fire officials-Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes-Conditions
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.150(5) – Landlord’s right of entry-Purposes-Searches by fire officials-Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes-Conditions
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.290 – Removal or exclusion of tenant from premises-Holding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination date-Attorneys’ fees
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.300 – Termination of tenant’s utility services-Tenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.060 – Landlord-Duties
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.130 – Duties of tenant
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.065 – Landlord-Copy of written rental agreement to tenant
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.257 – Screening of prospective tenants-Notice to prospective tenant-Costs-Adverse action notice-Violation
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(1b) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(2-3) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.575(4) – Victim protection-Notice to landlord-Termination of rental agreement-Procedures
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.580 – Victim protection-Limitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord’s rental decisions
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.240 – Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord-Prohibited
• Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.250 – Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord-Presumptions-Rebuttal-Costs