Issuing Notices

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 notices that; terminate a tenancy, offer a lease renewal, increase housing costs or materially change terms of the rental agreement. 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 5 days for the mail to get to the tenant before the notice period expires as per RCW 59.12.040.

Required Language on Notices

The following language is required by the City on notice to terminate tenancy, housing cost increases, and notice to enter. 

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 (14 Day Pay or Vacate, 3 Day Quit, 10 Day Comply, Notice to Terminate for Just Cause) you must additionally include the following:

• 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.

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. 

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. It does not include late fees etc. which may make the notice invalid if included.

Three day notice to quit for waste/nuisance or criminal activity

• 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.  Notices must be provided to Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.

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/programs-and-initiatives/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.