Lease Agreement Template Washington State

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

Document Control:

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Version: 4.2 (Washington State Statutory Compliance Edition)
• Jurisdiction/Scope: State of Washington (RCW 59.18 et seq.)

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1. LEGAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER

This Residential Lease Agreement ("Agreement") is designed to comply with the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18). Housing laws, local municipal codes (including Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane ordinances), and federal regulations are subject to frequent amendment. This document serves as a foundational legal template. Parties should consult with qualified legal counsel licensed in the State of Washington prior to execution to ensure compliance with current local ordinances, mandatory disclosures, and specific transactional requirements.

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2. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

This Agreement is entered into on [Date], by and between:

• Landlord: [Landlord's Full Legal Name / Business Entity], having a primary mailing address of [Landlord's Address] ("Landlord"), and
• Tenant(s): [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] and [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name] ("Tenant").

Premises: Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant rents from Landlord, the real property located at [Street Address], Unit [Unit Number], [City], Washington [Zip Code] ("Premises"), together with the following personal property, if any: [List Appliances/Furnishings or write "None"].

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3. TERM OF LEASE

The term of this Agreement shall commence on [Start Date] ("Commencement Date") and expire on [End Date] ("Termination Date"), unless renewed or terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or applicable Washington law.

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4. RENT, FEES, AND PAYMENT TERMS

1. Monthly Rent: Tenant shall pay to Landlord the sum of $[Monthly Rent Amount] per calendar month ("Rent"). Rent is due in advance on or before the first (1st) day of each calendar month.
2. Delivery of Payment: Rent shall be paid via [Payment Method: e.g., Electronic Portal / ACH / Check] to [Payment Address or Account Details].
3. Prorated Rent: For the period from [Start Date] through [End Date of First Month], Tenant shall pay a prorated rent of $[Prorated Amount].
4. Late Fees: If Rent is not received by Landlord by 11:59 PM on the fifth (5th) day of the month, Tenant shall pay a late fee of $[Late Fee Amount] or [Percent]% of the monthly rent, consistent with Washington statutory limits.
5. Returned Check Fee: If any payment is dishonored for insufficient funds, Tenant shall pay a returned payment fee of $[NSF Fee Amount].

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5. SECURITY DEPOSIT AND FEES

1. Total Deposit: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of $[Total Security Deposit] as a security deposit to secure performance of Tenant's obligations hereunder.
2. Trust Account Disclosure: The security deposit will be held in a trust account at [Name of Financial Institution], located at [Address of Financial Institution].
3. Non-Refundable Fees: Of the total deposit collected, the sum of $[Non-Refundable Fee Amount] constitutes a non-refundable fee for [Specify Purpose, e.g., cleaning/screening], as permitted under RCW 59.18.285.
4. Condition Checklist: Pursuant to RCW 59.18.260, a written checklist specifically detailing the condition and cleanliness of the Premises shall be provided to Tenant upon occupancy. Both parties shall sign and retain a copy.
5. Return of Deposit: Within twenty-one (21) days after the termination of the tenancy and vacation of the Premises, Landlord shall return the security deposit, less any lawful deductions authorized under RCW 59.18.280, accompanied by a full statement of the basis for retaining any portion of the deposit.

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6. STATUTORY WASHINGTON DISCLOSURES

1. Lead-Based Paint: Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. By signing this Agreement, Tenant acknowledges receipt of the federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form (if applicable).
2. Mold Disclosure: Pursuant to RCW 59.18.060(13), Tenant acknowledges receipt of written information regarding the health hazards associated with indoor mold and methods of prevention.
3. Fire Protection: Landlord certifies that the Premises is equipped with smoke detection devices in working order pursuant to RCW 43.44.110. Tenant shall not tamper with or disable smoke detectors.
4. Bed Bug Disclosure: Pursuant to RCW 59.18.360, Tenant certifies that the personal belongings to be brought into the Premises are free of bed bugs, and Tenant agrees to notify Landlord immediately of any suspected infestation.
5. Flood Plain Notice: The Premises [is / is not] located in a 100-year flood plain as designated on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance rate map.

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7. UTILITIES

Tenant shall be responsible for arranging and paying for all utility services connected to the Premises, except for the following, which shall be paid by Landlord: [List Landlord-paid utilities, e.g., Water, Sewer, Trash, or write "None"].

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8. USE, OCCUPANCY, AND MAINTENANCE

1. Permitted Use: The Premises shall be used and occupied solely for residential purposes by Tenant and the following authorized minor occupants: [List Names or "None"].
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 written consent of Landlord.
3. Maintenance by Landlord: Landlord shall maintain the structural elements of the Premises in compliance with the implied warranty of habitability under RCW 59.18.060.
4. Maintenance by Tenant: Tenant shall keep the Premises clean, sanitary, and in good repair, and shall immediately notify Landlord of any structural damage or maintenance defects.

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9. ENTRY BY LANDLORD

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. In the case of an emergency or abandonment, Landlord may enter without prior notice.

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10. DEFAULT AND TERMINATION

1. Nonpayment of Rent: If Tenant fails to pay rent when due, Landlord may issue a 14-day notice to pay rent or vacate pursuant to RCW 59.18.550(3).
2. Material Noncompliance: If Tenant commits a material breach of this Agreement, Landlord may issue a 10-day notice to comply or vacate pursuant to RCW 59.18.650.
3. Holding Over: If Tenant retains possession of the Premises after the Termination Date without Landlord's consent, Tenant shall pay holdover rent equal to [Multiplier, e.g., 150%] of the monthly rent, plus liability for all resulting damages sustained by Landlord.

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11. GOVERNING LAW AND SEVERABILITY

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

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12. 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 / Authorized Agent]
Title: [Title]
Date: ________________________

TENANT(S):

Signature: _____________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name]
Date: ________________________

Signature: _____________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name]
Date: ________________________

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13. STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION & ENFORCEMENT GUIDE

1. Complete all Fillable Fields: Replace all placeholder brackets ([...]) with precise transactional facts, dollar amounts, and legal names before presenting the document for execution.
2. Mandatory Initial Walkthrough: Conduct a joint inspection of the Premises with the Tenant on or before the Commencement Date, complete and sign the Condition Checklist (RCW 59.18.260), and attach it as an addendum.
3. Secure Statutory Disclosures: Ensure the federal Lead-Based Paint disclosure (if built prior to 1978) and the Washington State mold/bed bug informational disclosures are physically or electronically signed alongside this Agreement.
4. Execution and Record Retention: Execute two original copies via wet-ink or legally binding electronic signature (complonant with ESIGN and UETA). Landlord and Tenant must each retain a fully executed copy for the duration of the tenancy plus statutory retention windows.