Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.200
Tenancy from month to month or for rental period -- End of tenancy -- Armed forces exception -- Exclusion of children -- Conversion to condominium -- Demolition, substantial rehabilitation of the premises -- Notice.
Operative Text
(1)(a) 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 end by written notice of 20 days or more, preceding the end of any of the months or periods of tenancy, given by the tenant to the landlord. (b) Any tenant who is a member of the armed forces, including the national guard and armed forces reserves, or that tenant's spouse or dependent, may end a rental agreement with less than 20 days' written notice if the tenant receives permanent change of station or deployment orders that do not allow a 20-day written notice. (2)(a) Whenever a landlord plans to change to a policy of excluding children, the landlord shall give a written notice to a tenant at least 90 days before the tenancy ends to effectuate such change in policy. Such 90-day notice shall be in lieu of the notice required by subsection (1) of this section. However, if after giving the 90-day notice the change in policy is delayed, the notice requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall apply unless waived by the tenant. (b) Whenever a landlord plans to change any apartment or apartments to a condominium form of ownership, the landlord shall provide a written notice to a tenant at least 120 days before the tenancy ends, in compliance with RCW 64.34.440 (1), to effectuate such change. The 120-day notice is in lieu of the notice required in subsection (1) of this section. However, if after providing the 120-day notice the change to a condominium form of ownership is delayed, the notice requirements in subsection (1) of this section apply unless waived by the tenant. (c)(i) Whenever a landlord plans to demolish or substantially rehabilitate premises or plans a change of use of premises, the landlord shall provide a written notice to a tenant at least 120 days before the tenancy ends. This subsection (2)(c)(i) does not apply to jurisdictions that have created a relocation assistance program under RCW 59.18.440 and otherwise provide 120 days' notice. (ii) For purposes of this subsection (2)(c): (A) "Assisted housing development" means a multifamily rental housing development that either receives government assistance and is defined as federally assisted housing in RCW 59.28.020 , or that receives other federal, state, or local government assistance and is subject to use restrictions. (B) "Change of use" means: (I) Conversion of any premises from a residential use to a nonresidential use that results in the displacement of an existing tenant; (II) conversion from one type of residential use to another type of residential use that results in the displacement of an existing tenant, such as conversion to a retirement home, emergency shelter, or transient hotel; or (III) conversion following removal of use restrictions from an assisted housing development that results in the displacement of an existing tenant: PROVIDED, That displacement of an existing tenant in order that the owner or a member of the owner's immediate family may occupy the premises does not constitute a change of use. (C) "Demolish" means the destruction of premises or the relocation of premises to another site that results in the displacement of an existing tenant. (D) "Substantially rehabilitate" means extensive structural repair or extensive remodeling of premises that requires a permit such as a building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permit, and that results in the displacement of an existing tenant.
Washington's Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.200 establishes the notice periods required to end various types of tenancies. A standard month-to-month tenancy ends with at least 20 days' written notice from the tenant before the end of a rental period. Landlords who plan to exclude children, convert to condominiums, demolish, substantially rehabilitate, or change the use of a property must provide tenants with longer advance written notice—90 or 120 days depending on the circumstance. Military service members with qualifying orders may end a tenancy with less than the standard 20-day notice.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.200, compliant operators track which notice tier applies to any planned change in property use or policy. A landlord planning a condominium conversion, demolition, substantial rehabilitation, or change of use generally provides written notice at least 120 days before the tenancy ends, while a policy change to exclude children requires at least 90 days' written notice. If a planned change is delayed after notice is given, operators typically revert to the standard periodic-tenancy notice requirements unless the tenant has waived them.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.200 sets out the minimum written notice periods tenants are entitled to receive before a landlord can end a tenancy due to major property changes. If a landlord fails to provide the required 90- or 120-day notice for events like condominium conversion, demolition, or a change of use, that failure may be raised as a defense in an eviction proceeding. Tenants can explore their options by contacting a local tenant-rights organization or consulting Washington's courts self-help resources.
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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