If you are a month-to-month tenant, you must give written notice to your landlord at least 20 days (not including the day your serve the notice) before the last day of the month that you want to …

Sep 29, 2025 · When can a tenant break a lease in Washington? Learn the legal reasons, tenant protections, and landlord rights for early termination.

Jun 21, 2025 · Learn your rights and responsibilities for breaking a lease early in Washington. Get clear info on penalties, legal options, and official resources for renters.

Aug 1, 2025 · Learn when and how tenants may legally break a lease in Washington and how to limit liability for rent through the end of the lease term.

Jan 21, 2025 · As the new year rolls around, many tenants are looking to move out of town, or buy a house, and are asking if they can end their lease early. What does the law say about this?

Yes. The Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, or JCEO, requires that Seattle landlords have just cause reasons to terminate tenancy or evict month-to-month or other periodic tenants (tenants who …

(1) (a) A landlord may not evict a tenant, refuse to continue a tenancy, or end a periodic tenancy except for the causes enumerated in subsection (2) of this section and as otherwise provided …

If you don't want to renew the lease with your tenant, you must have just cause and serve notice a minimum of 60 days prior to the end of the lease. Here is a summary of each just cause reason:

If you get a notice from your landlord requiring you to move, call the Renting in Seattle Helpline to see if it is a valid notice that meets all legal requirements.

As serious as these problems may be, the Landlord Tenant Act does not explicitly allow tenants to break their lease for these reasons. Tenants may still negotiate with their landlords to be …