WA 14-Day Pay-or-Vacate Notice Generator

Generates the WA Attorney General's mandated form per RCW 59.18.057. Free, no signup required to use.

Last verified May 6, 2026

What is a 14-day pay-or-vacate notice?

Under RCW 59.18.057, a Washington landlord must use the Attorney General's mandated form when notifying a tenant of unpaid rent. The notice gives the tenant 14 days to pay or vacate. Generic templates from out-of-state form sites have been thrown out by Washington courts for omitting the statutory tenant-rights paragraph that the AG form includes verbatim.

This tool reproduces the AG-mandated form. It is not legal advice. The on-screen result is free to copy or print directly from your browser. If you'd like a copy emailed to you, we'll ask for your email address.

Generate your notice

Landlord / Agent
Tenants
Premises & Service
Itemization (per RCW 59.18.057 — only rent supports eviction)

Rent and other charges are kept separate. Only unpaid rent supports eviction under RCW 59.18.057. Late fees / utilities may be itemized for transparency in the "Other" column.

How to serve a 14-day notice in Washington

Per RCW 59.12.040, three service methods are permitted:

  • Personal service — hand the notice to the tenant directly. Day count starts the next day.
  • Post-and-mail — leave a copy at the tenant's usual residence with a person of suitable age and discretion, and mail a copy. Adds 1 day to the deadline.
  • Mail alone — mail the notice. Adds 1 day to the deadline.

Common mistakes: serving a generic template instead of the AG form, mixing late fees into the rent demand, and miscounting the 14 days when service was by mail. Each can result in the unlawful detainer action being dismissed.

Frequently asked questions

Each answer is a verbatim quotation of Washington statute. We do not interpret these statutes; for guidance specific to your situation, consult a licensed Washington landlord-tenant attorney.

When can I send a 14-day notice?
When the tenant fails to pay rent when due, the landlord may give to the tenant a notice in writing requiring the payment of such rent or the surrender of the detained premises within fourteen days after the service of such notice.” — RCW 59.12.030(4)
What's the difference between rent and other charges in this notice?
A landlord shall not threaten to take, or take, action on a notice to pay or vacate based on a tenant's failure to pay any sum other than rent.” — RCW 59.18.057
How do I serve the notice properly?
Service of notice may be made by personal service, by leaving a copy at the tenant's usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing there and sending a copy through the mail, or by mail alone.” — RCW 59.12.040
What happens after 14 days if the tenant doesn't pay?
If the tenant fails to comply with the notice within the time provided, the landlord may commence an unlawful detainer action.” — RCW 59.12.030(4)
Can I include late fees in the amount?
A landlord shall not threaten to take, or take, action on a notice to pay or vacate based on a tenant's failure to pay any sum other than rent.” — RCW 59.18.057
What if my tenant disputes the amount?
You have the right to legal advice and may be entitled to free legal services. The Washington state Office of the Attorney General has this notice in multiple languages as well as information on available resources to help you pay your rent, including state and local rental assistance programs, on its website at www.atg.wa.gov/landlord-tenant.” — RCW 59.18.057(2)

This tool is not legal advice.

It is a form-fill helper that reproduces the Washington Attorney General's mandated notice form per RCW 59.18.057. Quovio is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. The statutory text and form on this page were last verified on May 6, 2026 against RCW 59.18.057 and the WA AG's published form. Statutes can change; verify current law before serving any notice.

For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed Washington landlord-tenant attorney. The Northwest Justice Project and Washington LawHelp provide free or low-cost legal assistance.

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