Practice Alert
Effective June 11, 2026, certified mail is no longer required by RCW 59.12.040 for predicate notices and rent increases. See below for details.
The information on this page pertains to pre-litigation eviction notices, such as a notice to pay rent or vacate, and to rent increases. The instructions on this page are not applicable to serving the summons and complaint or any other pleading.
These instructions on serving pre-litigation eviction notices apply to all tenancies, both commercial and residential.
All notices must have a date certain as the compliance deadline.
Eviction predicate notices.
For more information about various types of eviction notices, see our eviction notices page.
Serving notices.
It is vital to a successful eviction that any required pre-litigation notice be properly served. Time and manner of service is strictly construed against the landlord. There are only three legally valid methods of service. Actual receipt of the notice is not enough, and the landlord need not prove it. Instead, the important point is to follow the statutorily mandated service methods.
Note that additional requirements may apply by local law, and/or per the rental agreement contract terms. However, the rental agreement cannot waive legal requirements, such as the minimum notice compliance time period.
Local requirements.
Note that local laws may require additional language on notices, serving additional documents with notices, and/or registering the property or obtaining a business license before serving predicate notices.
Before You Serve a Notice
We generally advise against landlords serving their own notices. Washington requires strict compliance, and small errors can sink a case.
If you still plan to proceed on your own, the sections below outline the legally recognized methods of service.
Important: These Service Rules Now Apply to Rent Increases
Under Washington’s new rent‑increase statute, a rent increase notice must be served using the same strict methods required for eviction notices. Personal service or posting‑and‑mailing is now required; informal delivery, email, or certified mail is no longer sufficient.
You must serve eviction notice forms in one of these three ways:
1. Personal service.
Hand a copy of the notice to each adult tenant.
2. Substitute service.
1) Serve copies to a person of suitable age and discretion. Hand one set of notices (one for each tenant) to either a tenant or someone of suitable age and discretion. There is no bright-line age limit. Rather, the idea is that someone is old enough to understand the importance of the document.
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2) Mail. Mail a copy separately to each tenant. Mailing must be sent from within Washington state. Certified mail is required through June 11, 2026.
3. Posting and mailing.
Only if no one is available to serve in hand, the landlord may post and mail notices.
1) Knock. This type of service is only valid if there is no one to serve in hand. Therefore, knock on the door beforehand.
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2) Post. The notice must be conspicuously posted on the premises. Post on the front door at eye level, preferably with the text out. Do not place through the mail slot, in the tenant’s mailbox, under the welcome mat, etc.
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3) Mail. Mail a copy to each tenant separately. Mailing must be sent from within Washington state. Certified mail is required through June 11, 2026.
Multiple occupants. Put all names of all adults on each notice and serve multiple copies of one identical document.
Computation of time. The day of service does not count. Add five additional days if the service involves mailing.
Review your lease. If the lease contract terms grant more time than the statutory minimums, the lease terms control. However, you cannot shorten cure periods.
Rent. "Rent" is legally defined for residential tenancies to include only recurring periodic charges. This includes utilities. Move-in fees and deposits may be included only if the tenant is allowed to pay them in installments from the beginning of the tenancy.
Do not include notice fees, late fees, or any other non-recurring charges on any type of eviction notice, especially on residential notices.
As always, if uncertain, consult with an attorney before taking any action.