14-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR VACATE PREMISES
(Washington Residential Tenancy – RCW ch. 59.18 compliant)
[// GUIDANCE: This template assumes the tenancy is residential and subject to Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (“RLTA”). For commercial tenancies, modify statutory references and notice periods accordingly.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Recitals
- Definitions
- Operative Provisions
- Representations & Warranties
- Covenants & Restrictions
- Default & Remedies
- Dispute Resolution
- General Provisions
- Certificate & Manner of Service
- Execution Block
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
Landlord/Owner: [LANDLORD LEGAL NAME], a [STATE] [ENTITY TYPE] (“Landlord”)
Tenant(s): [TENANT FULL NAME(S)] (“Tenant”)
Premises: [STREET ADDRESS, CITY, WA ZIP] (the “Premises”)
Lease / Rental Agreement Date: [LEASE DATE]
Effective Date of Notice: [DATE OF SERVICE]
2. RECITALS
A. Landlord and Tenant are parties to that certain written lease or rental agreement identified above (the “Lease”).
B. Tenant is in monetary default under the Lease for failure to timely pay rent.
C. Washington law requires Landlord to serve Tenant with a fourteen-(14-)day notice to pay all past-due rent or vacate before commencing an unlawful detainer action.
3. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Notice, capitalized terms have the following meanings:
“Cure Period” means the fourteen (14) consecutive calendar-day period commencing on the day immediately following the Date of Service.
“Past-Due Rent” means the sum of unpaid base rent and any recurring monthly charges designated as “rent” under the Lease, presently totaling $[AMOUNT], exclusive of late fees, utilities, or other non-rent charges.
“Notice” means this 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate Premises.
“Service” or “Serve” means delivery of this Notice in strict conformity with RLTA service requirements (personal service, substitute service on a person of suitable age and discretion at the Premises, or posting plus mailing).
4. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
4.1 Demand for Payment. Tenant must remit the full Past-Due Rent of $[AMOUNT] to Landlord at the payment address shown below within the Cure Period. Partial payment does not satisfy this Notice unless accepted in writing by Landlord.
4.2 Vacate Alternative. In the alternative, Tenant may surrender possession of the Premises to Landlord on or before the last day of the Cure Period.
4.3 Payment Instructions. Payment shall be made via [acceptable methods] and delivered to:
[LANDLORD PAYMENT ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO]
4.4 Ongoing Obligation. Payment of Past-Due Rent does not relieve Tenant of the obligation to pay current or future rent as it becomes due.
[// GUIDANCE: Washington law prohibits a landlord from requiring payment of late fees as a condition of curing. Delete any late-fee references if using the statutory form language verbatim.]
5. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
5.1 Landlord represents that:
a. Landlord is the lawful owner or authorized agent entitled to possession of the Premises;
b. The amounts stated herein are accurate and currently due; and
c. Landlord has complied with all applicable RLTA notice and service prerequisites.
5.2 Tenant makes no representations by receipt of this Notice.
6. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
6.1 Tenant’s Covenant to Cure or Vacate. Tenant shall either (i) pay all Past-Due Rent within the Cure Period, or (ii) fully vacate and return possession of the Premises.
6.2 Condition of Premises Upon Vacating. If Tenant elects to vacate, Tenant must remove all personal property, return all keys, and leave the Premises in broom-clean condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted.
7. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
7.1 Event of Default. Failure to remit the full Past-Due Rent or to vacate the Premises on or before the expiration of the Cure Period constitutes an “Event of Default.”
7.2 Remedies. Upon an Event of Default, Landlord may:
a. Commence an unlawful detainer (eviction) action in the [COUNTY] Superior Court Housing Department;
b. Seek recovery of possession of the Premises, a judgment for all unpaid rent, statutory damages, and court costs; and
c. Pursue any other remedies available at law or in equity.
7.3 Attorney Fees. If Landlord is the prevailing party in any eviction proceeding, Tenant shall be liable for Landlord’s reasonable attorney fees and costs only to the extent permitted by the RLTA or court order.
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1 Governing Law. This Notice and any ensuing litigation are governed by the laws of the State of Washington.
8.2 Forum Selection. Venue for any unlawful detainer action shall lie exclusively in the [COUNTY] Superior Court – Housing Court Division, subject to statutory jurisdictional limits.
8.3 Arbitration. Arbitration is not available for eviction proceedings under Washington law.
8.4 Jury Trial. Tenant retains any constitutional right to a jury trial; no waiver is sought or obtained by this Notice.
8.5 Injunctive Relief. Landlord expressly reserves the right to seek immediate injunctive or equitable relief, including issuance of a writ of restitution, as authorized by statute.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Entire Notice. This document constitutes the entire and exclusive written notice required prior to commencing eviction for non-payment of rent.
9.2 Severability. If any provision of this Notice is adjudged invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable.
9.3 No Waiver. Landlord’s acceptance of any partial payment after the Cure Period, unless accompanied by a written reservation of rights, shall not constitute a waiver of Landlord’s remedies.
9.4 Amendments. Any amendment to this Notice must be in a subsequent writing served in accordance with the RLTA.
10. CERTIFICATE & MANNER OF SERVICE
I, [SERVER NAME], certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that on [DATE OF SERVICE] I served a true and correct copy of this Notice upon Tenant(s) as follows (check one):
☐ Personal delivery to Tenant.
☐ Substituted service upon a person of suitable age and discretion at the Premises, plus mailing a copy to the Premises address.
☐ Posting in a conspicuous place on the Premises after three diligent attempts to serve, and mailing a copy to the Premises address.
Signature: _____
Date: ______
[// GUIDANCE: Retain proof of service (e.g., photographs of posting, USPS receipt) for court submission.]
11. EXECUTION BLOCK
LANDLORD (or Authorized Agent)
[NAME & TITLE]
Date: [____]
Landlord Address for Payments & Notices:
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
Phone: [PHONE] Email: [EMAIL]
OPTIONAL TENANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT
[// GUIDANCE: Not required; include only if you wish to document receipt.]
Tenant hereby acknowledges receipt of this Notice on the Date of Service indicated above.
[TENANT NAME] Date: [____]
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TENANTS
• You have the right to pay all past-due rent stated above within 14 days of the date you were served to avoid eviction.
• If you do not pay the full amount or vacate, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit in court.
• For free or low-cost legal help, call 2-1-1 or visit www.washingtonlawhelp.org.
[// GUIDANCE: Washington law requires specific statutory language—ensure any mandatory text is reproduced verbatim. Adapt bolding and font size to match statutory form requirements.]