Most Commonly Used Washington Lease Agreements
In Washington, the most commonly used rental lease agreements are the annual standard lease agreement, a commercial lease agreement, a month-to-month lease agreement, lease to own agreement, an agreement between roommates, and a sublease agreement.
While all of the most commonly used Washington lease agreements rely on the same elements, they also have their own features. Here are a couple of examples.
- A roommate agreement explains which areas in the rental property are for the sole use of the roommate and which areas may be used by all of the occupants.
- A standard residential lease agreement is generally written for a term of one year. When the year ends, it may convert to a month-to-month agreement or it may renew for another year. Both a standard one-year lease and a month-to-month lease have similarities. The most common similarity is the requirement of a written 30-day notice to move out at the end of the lease term if either party does not plan to renew the agreement.
How to Write a Washington Lease Agreement
A Washington lease agreement must follow Washington landlord-tenant laws or they cannot be enforced. There are additional laws that must be considered as well. You’ll learn more about some of those under the sections related to disclosures and security deposits.
Before signing the lease agreement, you should carefully read the terms or have the agreement reviewed by a lawyer.
A Washington lease agreement should include the following:
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Names of the Parties - This includes the name of the landlord or the legal business name of the property management company as well as the legal name of the tenant(s).
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Property Address - This is the full street address of the rental property. It should include the city, zip code, and the lot number or unit number (if there is one).
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Term Information - This is the type of lease agreement the parties agree to enter into. For example, a month-to-month lease or a fixed term. A fixed-term lease means that the parties agree that the tenant will hold possession of the space for a certain amount of time, usually one year. If it is a fixed lease, this section should include the date that the lease will end.
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Rental Amount - This section includes the date the lease begins, the amount of the monthly rent, the day of the month that rent is due, and the address where the rent may be paid.
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Late Fee - This section documents the amount of the fee that is due if the rent is not paid on time.
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Security Deposit - This is the amount of money the tenant must pay in advance of taking control of the property. The security deposit is used to repair damages caused by the tenant.
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Initial Payment - This is the total amount of money the tenant must pay to move into the rental property. It includes the amount of the first month’s rent, the security deposit, and the total of the two numbers added together.
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Occupants - This section includes the legal name of each tenant even if they are a minor or not signing the lease. This part of a Washington residential lease agreement establishes who will reside in the residential unit. For commercial space leases, it designates those who have permission to use the space. If the presence of additional occupants changes the price of the rent, it should be included in this section.
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Utilities - This section explains which utilities or services a tenant does not pay.
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Parking - This section informs the tenant if they will receive a parking space. If a space is reserved and it is designated, this information should be included here.
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Furnishings - This section tells tenants what they are allowed to install, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, or what they may not install. If the tenant is not allowed to bring their own appliances, that should be designated in this section.
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Notices - This section documents the names of the landlord or property manager and tenant along with their full mailing address. This information is used if either party needs to send out a notice to the other.
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Eviction - This informs tenants how eviction would be carried out in the event of nonpayment of rent or a breach of other lease terms.
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Additional Terms - This section provides any other terms agreed to by the parties that aren’t found in any other section of the lease.
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Signature and Date - The lease must be signed and dated by the parties.
Which Disclosures Belong in a Washington Lease Agreement
Under Washington law, the following must be disclosed to the tenant:
A Washington landlord is also required to give the tenant at least 2 days’ notice for repairs and 1 day of notice if they are showing the property.
Additionally, federal law states that if a residential property was constructed in or before 1978, tenants must be provided with a lead paint disclosure.
What You Need to Know About Washington Lease Agreement Deposits
There is no maximum on how much the landlord may request as a security deposit. The deposit must be returned within 14 days of the tenant vacating the property.
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