A Washington lease termination letter (20-day notice) is a legal document a tenant issues to a landlord to inform them of their intent to end a month-to-month tenancy. A tenant doesn’t have to provide a specific reason for their decision.
If a Washington landlord issues a lease termination letter, they usually have to give a specific reason. Depending on the cause, they should provide a certain number of days’ notice.
Governing Law — Revised Code of WA § 59.18.200(1)(a) (for issuance by tenants); RCW § 59.18.650 (for issuance by landlords).
Reasons to Use a 20-Day Notice to Vacate
Explore some reasons to use a 20-day notice:
- End a Tenancy: Either party can use this notice to end a tenancy. However, state-specific guidelines will apply to protect both parties’ interests.
- Property Use Changes: A landlord may want to change how they use a property. For example, they may wish to have family members or friends move into the property instead of having a stranger reside there. In this case, they can issue a 20-day notice to vacate to the current inhabitant.
