Washington Residential Lease Agreement Generator

What is a Washington Residential Lease Agreement?

A Washington Residential Lease Agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant for the rental of residential property in Washington state. This document outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy in compliance with the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) and recent tenant protection laws, which have significantly expanded tenant rights and landlord obligations beyond federal standards and those of many other states.

Key Sections Typically Included:

• Parties and Property Description
• Lease Term and Renewal Options
• Rent Amount, Payment Methods, and Late Fee Limitations
• Security Deposit Limitations and Return Timeline
• Move-In Condition Report Requirements
• Washington-Specific Notice Periods
• Just Cause Eviction Protections
• Landlord Entry Requirements (48-hour notice)
• Repair Request Procedures and Timelines
• Tenant Remedies for Landlord Non-Compliance
• Mold Disclosure Statement (required by RCW 59.18.060)
• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (pre-1978 buildings)
• Utilities and Services Responsibilities
• Washington-Compliant Screening Fee Provisions
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements
• Military Service Member Early Termination Rights
• Prohibited Lease Provisions Under Washington Law
• Rent Increase Notice Requirements
• Source of Income Discrimination Prohibitions
• Local Rental Regulations (Seattle, Tacoma, etc.)
• Month-to-Month Termination Requirements
• Pet Policies and Deposits

Why Use Our Generator?

Our Washington Residential Lease Agreement generator creates a comprehensive document tailored to Washington's progressive and tenant-friendly rental laws. Washington state has enacted significant tenant protection legislation in recent years, including just cause eviction requirements, notice period extensions, and limitations on screening fees and security deposits. Using a Washington-specific lease agreement helps landlords maintain compliance with state and local laws while clearly establishing expectations with tenants about their rights and responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What are Washington's current notice requirements for landlords and tenants?

  • A: The lease should specify Washington's notice requirements, which were expanded under recent legislation. Landlords must provide 60 days' written notice for rent increases of any amount (90 days if over 10%), 60-day notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies (120 days for substantial renovation or demolition), and 48-hour notice before entering a unit (24 hours for showing to prospective renters/buyers). The agreement should note that tenants can give 20-day notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies, but special provisions apply for military personnel and domestic violence survivors. The lease should also address electronic notice delivery requirements, specify that notices to pay or vacate must provide 14 days (not the typical 3-5 days in many states), and explain the prohibition on serving notices late on Friday or the day before a holiday.

• Q: How should Washington's just cause eviction requirements be addressed in a lease?

  • A: The lease should reference Washington's just cause eviction law (RCW 59.18.650), which prohibits landlords from evicting tenants or refusing to renew leases without one of the statutorily defined "good causes." It should outline these legitimate grounds for eviction or non-renewal, including non-payment of rent, lease violations, owner's intent to occupy or sell the unit, building demolition/rehabilitation, or unit conversion. The agreement should specify the proper notice periods for each type of for-cause termination and explain that month-to-month tenancies in Washington cannot be terminated without cause. The lease should also note that "no cause" notices are explicitly prohibited by Washington law, even with extended notice periods, and explain that lease violations generally require a 10-day notice to comply.

• Q: What security deposit and move-in fee provisions are required in Washington lease agreements?

  • A: The lease should specify that Washington requires detailed written documentation of all security deposits and fees, including the amount, purpose, terms for return, and the financial institution where funds are held. It should state that Washington law requires completion of a move-in condition report signed by both parties, with a copy provided to the tenant. The agreement should note that security deposits must be returned within 21 days after lease termination with an itemized statement of any deductions, and explain that failure to provide this accounting can result in the tenant being awarded twice the deposit amount plus attorney fees. The lease should address whether the deposit is refundable, specify permitted uses for the deposit, and clarify that landlords cannot charge non-refundable cleaning fees (though they can deduct actual cleaning costs from security deposits when appropriate). For properties in Seattle, the lease should note the additional requirement that security deposits and move-in fees be payable in installments.