Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.220
End of tenancy for a specified time -- Armed forces exception.
Operative Text
(1) Except as limited under RCW 59.18.650 , in cases where premises are rented for a specified time, by express or implied contract, the tenancy shall be deemed expired at the end of such specified time upon notice consistent with RCW 59.18.650 , served in a manner consistent with RCW 59.12.040 . (2) 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 tenancy for a specified time if the tenant receives permanent change of station or deployment orders. Before ending the tenancy, the tenant, or that tenant's spouse or dependent, shall provide written notice of 20 days or more to the landlord, which notice shall include a copy of the official military orders or a signed letter from the service member's commanding officer confirming any of the following criteria are met: (a) The service member is required, pursuant to a permanent change of station orders, to move 35 miles or more from the location of the rental premises; (b) The service member is prematurely or involuntarily discharged or released from active duty; (c) The service member is released from active duty after having leased the rental premises while on active duty status and the rental premises is 35 miles or more from the service member's home of record prior to entering active duty; (d) After entering into a rental agreement, the commanding officer directs the service member to move into government provided housing; (e) The service member receives temporary duty orders, temporary change of station orders, or active duty orders to an area 35 miles or more from the location of the rental premises, provided such orders are for a period not less than 90 days; or (f) The service member has leased the property, but prior to taking possession of the rental premises, receives change of station orders to an area that is 35 miles or more from the location of the rental premises.
Under Washington law at Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.220, a fixed-term tenancy generally ends automatically when the agreed-upon lease period expires, provided proper notice is given in accordance with RCW 59.18.650 and served as required by RCW 59.12.040. However, the provision carves out a special exception for active-duty military members, their spouses, and dependents: if the service member receives qualifying military orders—such as a permanent change of station, deployment, or certain temporary duty orders—the tenancy may be ended early. To use this exception, at least 20 days' written notice must be given to the landlord along with a copy of the official orders or a commanding officer's signed letter confirming the qualifying circumstances.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 59.18.220, operators of fixed-term rental agreements should be aware that a lease's expiration is governed by the notice requirements of RCW 59.18.650 and the service rules of RCW 59.12.040. Compliant landlords also recognize and honor early-termination requests from military tenants, their spouses, or dependents who present at least 20 days' written notice accompanied by official military orders or a commanding officer's letter confirming one of the enumerated qualifying criteria. Maintaining a clear process for receiving and documenting such military-related notices helps ensure that the property is managed in accordance with the statutory requirements of § 59.18.220.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Washington's § 59.18.220 establishes that a fixed-term lease expires at the end of its stated term, but it also provides meaningful protections for military tenants: service members, their spouses, or dependents who receive qualifying orders—including permanent change of station, certain deployment orders, or temporary duty orders of 90 days or more to a location 35 or more miles away—may end a fixed-term lease early. To exercise this right under § 59.18.220, the tenant must deliver written notice of at least 20 days to the landlord, along with official military orders or a signed letter from the commanding officer. Tenants who believe a landlord is not honoring this provision may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or seek guidance from a military legal assistance office to understand the range of 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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