Legal Templates

Free Washington Residential Lease/Rental Agreement

Use our free Lease Agreement form to rent your property in Washington.

Updated March 23, 2023 | Legally reviewed by Susan Chai, Esq.

All lease agreements must contain certain information that is specifically mandated by Federal law, such as:

  1. The names and contact information of the landlord and tenant,
  2. The premises address,
  3. Any pet regulations,
  4. Health, pest, and other hazard disclosures,
  5. The amount of the security deposit and rent due
  6. The location and date of where and when the rent is to be paid

Not all states will have the same rental and leasing requirements, and they will often differ on some important issues.

It is suggested that you familiarize yourself with Washington’s specific requirements to help create a comprehensive Lease and Rental Agreement to protect your legal and financial rights best.

Other Washington Real Estate documents you might be interested in are:

  • Sublease Agreement –  Used by a tenant to rent out all or part of their rented property to a new tenant.
  • Eviction Notice – Used by a landlord to start the eviction process with a current tenant.
Table of Contents

1. Washington State Residential Lease Agreement Sample

The sample lease agreement below describes a contract between “Landlord” Bernard Shane and “Tenant” Rosemary Uttgard. He agrees to rent a room in Seattle for $650.00 per month for a fixed term. The tenant agrees to pay for all utilities and services for the Premises.

This is a good example of a simple lease agreement’s provisions, and how one should look in its final form.

Washington Lease Agreement Sample

2. Washington State Rental Lease Agreement Template

The Washington State Residential Lease Agreement Template below defines all necessary lease agreement terms.

washington rental lease agreement template

3. Washington State Landlord and Tenant Laws

Washington imposes specific and distinct requirements for landlords and tenants when executing a Lease/Rental Agreement. For example, the Washington statute provides for the following:

Security Deposit:

  1. A landlord is unrestricted in how much they may request as a security deposit from the tenant. (No statute)

Landlord Right of Entry:

  1. Forty-eight (48) hours’ notice is required by the landlord before entering the premises. (RCW § 59.18.150)

Additionally, Washington law requires:

Utilities:

  1. When a landlord shuts off utilities, they will be obligated to pay actual damages along with $100/day and attorney’s costs.

Squatters:

  1. Where the tenant is unapproved by the landlord, they will be liable for rent for the time occupied. They must immediately return possession of the premises to the owner at any demand. (RCW § 59.04.050)

Seattle Requirements:

  1. Landlords must include Washington Statute and the Seattle Laws on Property Owner and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities as addendums to the lease.

Additional Documents

Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards

All Washington landlords of any building constructed before 1978 must notify all tenants of the potential existence of lead-based hazards. (Title 42 U.S. Code § 4852(d))

Disclosure of Mold

A landlord must provide all tenants with a written disclosure of all known mold contaminations of the rental unit as well as educational information, provided by the Washington State Department of Health, regarding how to control mold and the potential health risks associated with it. (RCW § 59.18.060)

Security Deposit Notice

A landlord must return the security deposit to the tenant within twenty-one (21) days of the lease end or termination. (RCW § 59.18.280)

Rental Inspection Checklist

A rental inspection checklist ensures that both the landlord and tenant acknowledge and agree on the condition of each aspect of a rental unit before moving in and moving out. (RCW § 59.18.285)