Washington Residential Lease Agreement Template

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

Jurisdiction: State of Washington
Document Control ID: RLA-WA-2023.1
Effective Date: [Effective Date]

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1. LEGAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER

Disclaimer: This Residential Lease Agreement template is drafted for general informational and structural purposes under Washington State law (specifically RCW 59.18, the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act). This document does not constitute formal legal advice. Real estate transactions involve distinct legal and financial risks. Parties should consult a licensed attorney and review all local municipal codes (e.g., Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane ordinances) which may impose additional landlord-tenant requirements prior to execution.

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2. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

This Residential Lease Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on [Date] ("Execution Date"), by and between the following parties:

• LANDLORD: [Landlord Full Legal Name or Entity Name], having a principal place of business/residence at [Landlord Address] ("Landlord"), and
• TENANT: [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] and [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name] ("Tenant").

Premises: Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant hereby leases from Landlord, the real property located at [Street Address, Unit #, City, WA, Zip Code] ("Premises"), together with the following personal property, if any: [List any included appliances, furniture, or parking spaces].

Term: The term of this Agreement shall commence on [Lease Start Date] ("Commencement Date") and expire at 11:59 PM on [Lease End Date] ("Expiration Date"), unless renewed or terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions hereof.

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3. OPERATIVE CLAUSES & TERMS

SECTION 1: RENT, LATE FEES, AND PAYMENT TERMS

1.1 Base Rent: Tenant shall pay to Landlord as base rent the sum of [Monthly Rent Amount] USD per month ("Rent"). Rent is due in advance on or before the first (1st) calendar day of each month ("Due Date"). 1.2 Delivery of Payment: Rent shall be paid via [Specify payment method: e.g., Electronic Portal, ACH, Check] to Landlord at [Payment Address or Account Details]. Cash is strictly prohibited. 1.3 Late Charges: If Rent is not received by Landlord by the end of the fourth (4th) day of the month, Tenant shall pay a late charge of [Late Fee Amount, e.g., $50.00 or 5% of monthly rent] in accordance with RCW 59.18.170. 1.4 Returned Payments: For any check or electronic payment returned for insufficient funds (NSF) or account closure, Tenant shall pay a returned payment fee of [Returned Check Fee, e.g., $35.00].

SECTION 2: SECURITY DEPOSIT AND FEES

2.1 Deposit Amount: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of [Total Security Deposit Amount] USD ("Security Deposit") as security for the full and faithful performance by Tenant of all terms of this Agreement. 2.2 Trust Account Disclosure: The Security Deposit shall be held in a trust account at [Name of Financial Institution], located at [Bank Address]. The deposit [Choose one: IS / IS NOT] interest-bearing. If interest-bearing, interest shall be disbursed in accordance with RCW 59.18.270. 2.3 Conditions of Return: Pursuant to RCW 59.18.280, Landlord shall, within twenty-one (21) days after the termination of the tenancy and vacation of the Premises, return the full Security Deposit or provide a specific written statement detailing the basis for retaining any portion of the deposit, accompanied by payment for any refund due. 2.4 Non-Refundable Fees: Tenant shall pay a non-refundable fee of [Non-Refundable Fee Amount] for [Specify purpose, e.g., cleaning, administrative processing].

SECTION 3: CONDITION OF PREMISES & MOVE-IN INSPECTION

3.1 Inspection Checklist: Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Landlord and Tenant shall complete and sign a written checklist detailing the condition of the Premises, pursuant to RCW 59.18.260. 3.2 Presumption: The written checklist shall be prima facie evidence of the condition of the Premises at the commencement of the tenancy.

SECTION 4: USE, OCCUPANCY, AND SUBLETTING

4.1 Permitted Use: The Premises shall be used and occupied exclusively as a single-family residential dwelling by Tenant and the following minor occupants only: [List Names of Minors, or "None"]. 4.2 Subletting and Assignment: Tenant shall not assign this Agreement, nor sublet any portion of the Premises, nor grant any license to use the Premises, without the prior express written consent of Landlord.

SECTION 5: UTILITIES AND SERVICES

5.1 Tenant Responsibilities: Tenant shall contract directly for and pay all charges associated with utilities and services for the Premises, including: [List utilities: e.g., Electricity, Gas, Internet, Water/Sewer]. 5.2 Landlord Responsibilities: Landlord shall pay for: [List landlord-paid utilities, or state "None"].

SECTION 6: MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, AND ALTERATIONS

6.1 Tenant Maintenance: Tenant shall keep the Premises clean, sanitary, and in good repair, and shall immediately notify Landlord of any structural damage or hazardous conditions. 6.2 Landlord Maintenance: Landlord shall maintain the structural elements of the Premises in compliance with RCW 59.18.060. 6.3 Alterations: Tenant shall not make any alterations, additions, or improvements to the Premises without Landlord’s prior written consent.

SECTION 7: ENTRY BY LANDLORD

7.1 Access Rights: Pursuant to RCW 59.18.150, Landlord may enter the Premises upon giving at least forty-eight (48) hours’ written notice to Tenant for inspections, repairs, or showings. 7.2 Emergencies: In the case of emergency or abandonment, Landlord may enter the Premises immediately without prior notice.

SECTION 8: DEFAULT AND TERMINATION

8.1 Tenant Default: If Tenant fails to pay Rent when due, or violates any material term of this Agreement, Landlord may issue statutory notices (e.g., 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate, 10-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate) pursuant to RCW 59.18.650. Jas 8.2 Early Termination: Military personnel may terminate this Agreement pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and RCW 59.18.220.

SECTION 9: GOVERNING LAW AND SEVERABILITY

9.1 Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. 9.2 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

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4. SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Residential Lease Agreement as of the Effective Date written above.

LANDLORD:

Signature: ____________________________________
Printed Name: [Landlord Name]
Title: [Title, if corporate]
Date: [Date]

TENANT(S):

Signature: ____________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 1 Name]
Date: [Date]

Signature: ____________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 2 Name]
Date: [Date]

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5. STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Review & Customization: Populate all bracketed fields ([...]) with accurate operational details. Ensure compliance with local municipal ordinances (e.g., tenant relocation assistance laws in Seattle or Tacoma) which supersede state minimums.
2. Move-In Inspection Execution: Complete, sign, and attach the official Washington State Move-In Checklist (RCW 59.18.260 requirement) prior to transferring keys or accepting physical possession of the Premises.
3. Fund Verification: Collect the Security Deposit and first month's Rent via traceable electronic transfer or cashier's check before allowing occupancy or executing final signature counter-parts.
4. Counterpart Retention: Execute two (2) identical hard copies or secure electronic signatures (via DocuSign/AdobeSign). Both Landlord and Tenant must retain a fully executed copy for the duration of the tenancy plus a minimum of three (3) years post-termination.