A notice to vacate—also known as a notice of intent to vacate—is a written notice or letter from a tenant to the landlord or the landlord’s property management agent that the tenant will not be renewing the lease when it expires.

The terminology used in a state’s statutes, court opinions, and practices may vary from state to state, but a landlord can also give a tenant a notice to vacate—also known as a 30-day notice, 60-day notice, 90-day notice, 3-day notice, or notice to quit. The landlord may give the tenant notice to vacate due to the upcoming expiration of the lease term or due to a material (significant) breach of the lease agreement or the tenant’s violation of a law.

A tenant or landlord should read the lease agreement carefully before giving a notice to vacate or notice of intent to vacate to comply with the specific requirements of such a notice. In addition to the terms of the lease agreement, state and local laws may provide the circumstances and process for giving notice to vacate. These laws are usually located in a state’s statutes and in city and municipal codes and ordinances.

In Washington State, a notice to vacate is a formal communication from a tenant to a landlord, or vice versa, indicating the intention to end the rental agreement. For tenants, this typically means they will not renew their lease upon its expiration. For landlords, it can be a notice to end the tenancy due to lease expiration, a significant breach of the lease terms, or a violation of law by the tenant. The specific time frame required for such notices can vary, commonly ranging from 3 to 90 days, depending on the reason for eviction and the terms of the lease. Washington State law requires that landlords provide at least 20 days' notice before the end of the rental period when they want a tenant to vacate without cause. For evictions due to lease violations or illegal activity, the notice period may be shorter. Tenants are typically required to give notice according to the lease terms, which is often one rental period (e.g., 30 days). Both parties should consult their lease agreement and adhere to state statutes and local ordinances to ensure compliance with the notice requirements.