Washington Notice to Terminate Tenancy (No Cause)
Create a free Washington notice to terminate tenancy (no cause). Washington does not set a standard statutory period for this notice — confirm the requirement before serving. Fill in the details, preview it live, and download a PDF or email it.
Washington requirement
Washington does not set a standard statutory period for this notice — confirm the requirement before serving. Washington effectively prohibits true no-cause termination of a residential tenancy. Under the statewide just-cause law (RCW 59.18.650, eff. May 10, 2021), a landlord may NOT end a month-to-month tenancy except for an enumerated cause. The closest no-fault grounds require 90 days' notice (owner or immediate family moving in, RCW 59.18.650(2)(d); landlord intends to sell a single-family home, (2)(e)) or 60 days' notice (other 'good cause' under (2)(m), four or more lease breaches in 12 months under (2)(n), or a tenant required to register as a sex offender during the tenancy or who failed to disclose a registration requirement, (2)(o)). A 20-day notice applies where the tenant has directed unwanted sexual advances or other sexual harassment at the owner, manager, an employee, or another tenant in violation of a lease term ((2)(p)), and a narrow 20-day end-of-period path survives only for limited exemptions (e.g., owner/lessor sharing the dwelling unit or a common kitchen/bathroom, RCW 59.18.650(2)(i)); it is NOT a general no-cause path.
Tenant Name(s)
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⚠ Washington does not set a standard statutory period for this notice — confirm the requirement before serving. Washington effectively prohibits true no-cause termination of a residential tenancy. Under the statewide just-cause law (RCW 59.18.650, eff. May 10, 2021), a landlord may NOT end a month-to-month tenancy except for an enumerated cause. The closest no-fault grounds require 90 days' notice (owner or immediate family moving in, RCW 59.18.650(2)(d); landlord intends to sell a single-family home, (2)(e)) or 60 days' notice (other 'good cause' under (2)(m), four or more lease breaches in 12 months under (2)(n), or a tenant required to register as a sex offender during the tenancy or who failed to disclose a registration requirement, (2)(o)). A 20-day notice applies where the tenant has directed unwanted sexual advances or other sexual harassment at the owner, manager, an employee, or another tenant in violation of a lease term ((2)(p)), and a narrow 20-day end-of-period path survives only for limited exemptions (e.g., owner/lessor sharing the dwelling unit or a common kitchen/bathroom, RCW 59.18.650(2)(i)); it is NOT a general no-cause path.
⚠ Washington has a just-cause eviction law: a no-cause termination may be invalid unless you state a qualifying reason. Yes — statewide just-cause requirement under RCW 59.18.650 (enacted 2021, SB 5160 / HB 1236). RCW 59.18.650(2): a landlord 'may not evict a tenant, refuse to continue a tenancy, or end a periodic tenancy except for the causes enumerated in subsection (2).' Wrongful eviction in violation of this section (subsection (4)) exposes the landlord to the greater of the tenant's economic and noneconomic damages or three times the monthly rent, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs. (A revised version of RCW 59.18.650 is slated to take effect later; the enumerated causes and notice periods above reflect the version in force as of June 2026.)
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (No Cause) (Washington)
NOTICE TO TERMINATE TENANCY (NO CAUSE)
Date of Notice: ________________
From (Landlord/Agent): [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME], [LANDLORD ADDRESS]
To: [TENANT NAME(S)], Tenant(s) in possession of: [PROPERTY ADDRESS]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that your month-to-month tenancy is terminated. You are required to vacate and surrender possession of the property within the time required by law. This notice ends the tenancy; rent remains due through the termination date.
Qualifying reason for termination (required in Washington): [YOU MUST STATE A QUALIFYING JUST-CAUSE REASON — a no-cause termination is generally NOT valid in this state. Confirm whether the unit is exempt or state an allowed at-fault or no-fault ground.]
If you do not comply with this notice within the time stated, the landlord may begin legal proceedings to recover possession of the property under RCW 59.18.650 (just cause); RCW 59.12.030 (unlawful detainer notices); RCW 59.18.057 (mandatory 14-day pay-or-vacate notice form); RCW 59.12.040 (service).
Only a court can order you to move out. The landlord may NOT lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities; doing so is illegal.
How this notice may be served: Service per RCW 59.12.040: (1) personal delivery to the tenant; or (2) if the tenant is absent from the rental, leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion residing there AND mailing a copy to the tenant at the premises; or (3) if neither can be found, posting the notice in a conspicuous place on the premises AND mailing a copy to the tenant. Posting alone is insufficient — it must be paired with mailing. RCW 59.18.650 requires all notices to be served consistent with RCW 59.12.040 and to state the facts supporting the cause with enough specificity for the tenant to prepare a defense.
_______________________________________
[LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] — Landlord / Authorized Agent
[LANDLORD ADDRESS]
Date: ________________
PROOF OF SERVICE
I served this notice on the tenant(s) on ____________ (date).
Method of service (use a method permitted in your state — see the service note above):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________ Date: ____________
Signature of person serving the notice
Email yourself a copy (PDF)
Self-help template, not legal advice. You cannot remove a tenant yourself — serve a proper notice and, if needed, file in court. Confirm Washington and local rules first.
Washington Notice to Terminate Tenancy (No Cause) Rules
A Notice to Terminate Tenancy (also called a notice to vacate or non-renewal) ends a month-to-month tenancy without alleging fault. The landlord must give the state's required advance notice. Some states (and cities) require "just cause" and limit no-fault terminations.
Washington does not set a standard statutory period for this notice — confirm the requirement before serving. Washington effectively prohibits true no-cause termination of a residential tenancy. Under the statewide just-cause law (RCW 59.18.650, eff. May 10, 2021), a landlord may NOT end a month-to-month tenancy except for an enumerated cause. The closest no-fault grounds require 90 days' notice (owner or immediate family moving in, RCW 59.18.650(2)(d); landlord intends to sell a single-family home, (2)(e)) or 60 days' notice (other 'good cause' under (2)(m), four or more lease breaches in 12 months under (2)(n), or a tenant required to register as a sex offender during the tenancy or who failed to disclose a registration requirement, (2)(o)). A 20-day notice applies where the tenant has directed unwanted sexual advances or other sexual harassment at the owner, manager, an employee, or another tenant in violation of a lease term ((2)(p)), and a narrow 20-day end-of-period path survives only for limited exemptions (e.g., owner/lessor sharing the dwelling unit or a common kitchen/bathroom, RCW 59.18.650(2)(i)); it is NOT a general no-cause path. The notice is served under RCW 59.18.650 (just cause); RCW 59.12.030 (unlawful detainer notices); RCW 59.18.057 (mandatory 14-day pay-or-vacate notice form); RCW 59.12.040 (service).
Just cause: Yes — statewide just-cause requirement under RCW 59.18.650 (enacted 2021, SB 5160 / HB 1236). RCW 59.18.650(2): a landlord 'may not evict a tenant, refuse to continue a tenancy, or end a periodic tenancy except for the causes enumerated in subsection (2).' Wrongful eviction in violation of this section (subsection (4)) exposes the landlord to the greater of the tenant's economic and noneconomic damages or three times the monthly rent, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs. (A revised version of RCW 59.18.650 is slated to take effect later; the enumerated causes and notice periods above reflect the version in force as of June 2026.)
How to Serve a Notice to Terminate Tenancy (No Cause) in Washington
Service per RCW 59.12.040: (1) personal delivery to the tenant; or (2) if the tenant is absent from the rental, leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion residing there AND mailing a copy to the tenant at the premises; or (3) if neither can be found, posting the notice in a conspicuous place on the premises AND mailing a copy to the tenant. Posting alone is insufficient — it must be paired with mailing. RCW 59.18.650 requires all notices to be served consistent with RCW 59.12.040 and to state the facts supporting the cause with enough specificity for the tenant to prepare a defense. A defective notice or improper service can get an eviction dismissed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days is a Washington notice to terminate tenancy (no cause)?
Washington does not set a standard statutory period for this notice — confirm the requirement before serving. Washington effectively prohibits true no-cause termination of a residential tenancy. Under the statewide just-cause law (RCW 59.18.650, eff. May 10, 2021), a landlord may NOT end a month-to-month tenancy except for an enumerated cause. The closest no-fault grounds require 90 days' notice (owner or immediate family moving in, RCW 59.18.650(2)(d); landlord intends to sell a single-family home, (2)(e)) or 60 days' notice (other 'good cause' under (2)(m), four or more lease breaches in 12 months under (2)(n), or a tenant required to register as a sex offender during the tenancy or who failed to disclose a registration requirement, (2)(o)). A 20-day notice applies where the tenant has directed unwanted sexual advances or other sexual harassment at the owner, manager, an employee, or another tenant in violation of a lease term ((2)(p)), and a narrow 20-day end-of-period path survives only for limited exemptions (e.g., owner/lessor sharing the dwelling unit or a common kitchen/bathroom, RCW 59.18.650(2)(i)); it is NOT a general no-cause path.
What happens after I serve the notice?
If the tenant does not comply by the deadline, you can file an eviction case in Washington court. Only a court order, enforced by a sheriff or constable, can remove the tenant.
Can I email or download the notice?
Yes — fill in the form above, then download the PDF or email a copy to yourself. Serve it on the tenant using a method Washington allows.
Disclaimer
This Washington notice to terminate tenancy (no cause) generator is a self-help tool for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Confirm Washington and local requirements before serving.
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