Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.210
Tenancies from year to year except under written contract.
Operative Text
Tenancies from year to year are hereby abolished except when the same are created by express written contract. Leases may be in writing or print, or partly in writing and partly in print, and shall be legal and valid for any term or period not exceeding one year, without acknowledgment, witnesses or seals.
Under Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, specifically Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.210, year-to-year tenancies can only exist if they are created through an express written contract. Leases—whether written, printed, or a combination of both—are legally valid for terms up to one year without requiring formal acknowledgment, witnesses, or seals. Any implied or oral year-to-year tenancy arrangement is not recognized under this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.210, property owners and managers who intend to establish a year-to-year tenancy must do so through a clear, express written contract. Compliant operators ensure that lease agreements—regardless of whether they are handwritten, printed, or a mix—are properly documented for any rental term up to one year, without needing notarization or witnesses. Maintaining written documentation of the tenancy type helps establish the legal basis of the rental relationship.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.210 provides tenants with an important protection: a landlord cannot claim a year-to-year tenancy exists unless it was established through an express written contract. If a landlord attempts to enforce obligations based on an alleged year-to-year arrangement that was never put in writing, tenants may be able to raise this provision as a defense. Tenant-rights organizations or a legal aid office can help individuals understand how this rule applies to their rental situation.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.