Leaving A Lease Early
RCW 59.18.575 — a victim may end the lease, asked within ninety days of the act
A Washington tenant who, or whose household member, was the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking may end the rental agreement and leave without further obligation, once a valid protection order or a written record of a report to a qualified third party is made available to the landlord.
Ninety days, and the month. The request has to come within ninety days of the act or event behind the order or report. The tenant owes no rent after the last day of the month of moving out, and stays liable for that month unless proper periodic notice was given.
When the landlord is the one committing sexual assault, stalking or unlawful harassment, the tenant may leave before providing the order or report, on the conditions the section sets.
Sources for this section (1)
- RCW 59.18.575 — Victim protection: termination of rental agreement
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.