Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04 § 59.04.020
Tenancy from month to month -- Termination.
Operative Text
When premises are rented for an indefinite time, with monthly or other periodic rent reserved, such tenancy shall be construed to be a tenancy from month to month, or from period to period on which rent is payable, and shall be terminated by written notice of thirty days or more, preceding the end of any of said months or periods, given by either party to the other.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.020, when a rental arrangement has no fixed end date but rent is paid on a monthly or other periodic basis, the law treats it as a month-to-month (or period-to-period) tenancy. Either the landlord or the tenant may end the tenancy by delivering written notice at least 30 days before the close of the current rental period. The notice requirement applies equally to both parties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.020 means that operators renting on an indefinite basis without a fixed-term lease are generally understood to be running a month-to-month tenancy. A compliant property owner or manager who wishes to end such a tenancy typically provides written notice of at least 30 days before the end of a rental period, rather than simply asking a tenant to leave verbally or on short notice. Maintaining documentation of when and how notice was delivered is a common practice among operators managing periodic tenancies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.020, tenants renting without a fixed end date have the right to receive at least 30 days' written notice before a landlord can terminate the tenancy, and that notice must precede the end of a rental period. Equally, a tenant who wishes to leave a month-to-month arrangement generally provides the same 30-day written notice to the landlord. Tenants who believe a termination notice did not comply with this provision may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand the options available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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