Washington landlords used to be able to terminate a month-to-month tenant’s contract for any reason. Starting in 2021, Washington state landlords are required to have a Good Cause reason (found in RCW 59.18.650) for ending a rental agreement. If the landlord doesn’t have a Good Cause reason, then in most cases, they should not be able to terminate your lease.
Depending on the reason provided for terminating the agreement, a landlord will be required to give you advance notice of 3 days, 20 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, or 120 days. If a tenant who receives a valid notice does not vacate within 20, 30, 60, 90, or 120 days, they become a “holdover” tenant, and the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit against them. The landlord can terminate your agreement within the following timeframes if any of the bulleted items are true:
3-Day Notice
You either: commit or permit waste or nuisance upon the premises; allow unlawful activity that affects the use and enjoyment of the premises; or other substantial or repeated and unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of the premises by the landlord or neighbors of the tenant.
20-Day Notice
You share a house with your landlord with a common kitchen or bathroom and the landlord wants you to leave (for any reason).
The tenant has made unwanted sexual advancements to the landlord, another tenant, or an employee of the landlord.
30-Day Notice
You are an occupant and resided with the main tenant for six months prior, but you’re not listed on the lease, and the main tenant has moved out.
Your time in a transitional housing program is coming to an end.
Your original application had intentional mistakes on it and you would have otherwise been denied.
The building has been condemned.
60-Day Notice
The landlord has served you with four or more 10-day notices within a 12-month period.
The tenant was required to register as a sex offender and failed to do so – or failed to disclose a requirement that they are registered as a sex offender.
The landlord has “other good cause,” defined as a “legitimate economic or business reason.”(In cases like this, it’s up to the judge to decide whether the landlord’s “other good cause” is valid).
90-Day Notice
The owner or an immediate family member of the owner wants to move in.
The owner wants to sell the building.
120-Day Notice
The owner plans to demolish or rehabilitate the premises or plans to change of use.
The owner wants to change the use of the building (e.g., from apartments to a hotel or condo).
Source: RCW 59.18.650
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