Issuing Notices
- Fees for late payment of rent cannot be more than $10 per month
- Fees may not be charged:
- To prepare notice
- To serve/deliver notice
- This covers all notices issued to a tenant by a landlord
Consult with a landlord association or an attorney to make sure your notices are proper. See Resources for Landlords.
- Service of notices is also important. You must attempt to personally serve your tenant a notice. If your tenant is not available you must then post the notice conspicuously (on their front door) and mail it by first class mail. Allow an additional day for the mail to get to the tenant before the notice period expires.
Required Language on Notices
The following language is required by the City on all notices including housing cost increases, changes in terms, notice to enter etc.
If you need help understanding this notice or information about your renter rights, call the Renting in Seattle Helpline at (206) 684-5700 or visit the web site at www.seattle.gov/rentinginseattle.
The following additional language is required on all eviction notices.
- RIGHT TO LEGAL COUNSEL: CITY LAW PROVIDES RENTERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO PAY FOR AN ATTORNEY THE RIGHT TO FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN AN EVICTION LAWSUIT. If you need help understanding this notice or information about your renter rights, call the Renting in Seattle Helpline at (206) 684-5700 or visit the web site at www.seattle.gov/rentinginseattle.
The following additional language is required on all eviction notices related to non-payment of rent.
- If you cannot pay rent, during or within 6 months after the end of the Mayor's moratorium on evictions, your inability to pay is a defense to eviction that you may raise in court.
- If you cannot pay rent due during the civil emergency proclaimed by Mayor Durkan on March 3, 2020, your inability to pay is a defense to eviction that you may raise in court.
- City law requires a landlord to offer a reasonable schedule for repayment of unpaid rent that accrued between March 3, 2020, and six months following the termination of the civil emergency proclaimed by Mayor Durkan on March 3, 2020. If your landlord does not offer such a repayment plan or give you 14 days to accept a reasonable repayment plan before proceeding with an unlawful detainer action, you may raise this as a defense to eviction in court.
Types of Notices
Changing the terms of tenancy
- If you want to change the provisions of a month-to-month rental agreement, you must provide the tenant with a minimum of 30 days' advance written notice. These changes can only become effective at the beginning of a rental period. The 30 days cannot include the day you serve the notice.
- Under a lease agreement, terms cannot be changed unless by mutual agreement between you and your tenant. Be sure to record any agreed upon changes in writing and have both parties sign and date any changes to the lease.
Ten day notice to comply or vacate
- A 10-day notice to comply or vacate is appropriate for any breach of the rental agreement. It can also be used to collect late fees or notice fees.
Fourteen day notice to pay or vacate
- A 14-day notice to pay or vacate is only appropriate for collecting late rent. Rent includes parking, utilities, storage, and late installment payments of move-in costs or Covid-19 repayment plans. It does not include late fees, notice fees, etc. which may make the notice invalid if included.
Three day notice to quit for waste or nuisance
- A 3-day notice for waste or nuisance is the most serious kind of notice to issue a tenant because it does not provide an opportunity to correct the violation.
Sixty-ninety day notice of non-renewal for just cause
- A non-renewal notice is required when you have a just cause to end a lease when it expires.
Notice of Intent to Sell
- Applies to buildings with two or more units where at least one unit is rented at or below 80% AMI. If you intend to sell your rental property you may be required to issue a notice to your tenants. Seattle Office of Housing and Seattle Housing Authority administers this ordinance.
- For more information visit www.seattle.gov/housing/intent-to-sell
Legal counsel is always recommended when you need to issue a notice. For technical assistance with rental regulations you can call the Renting in Seattle Helpline at (206) 684-5700.