Washington Laws
Requirement to Record: Not required to be recorded unless the lease exceeds 2 years.[1][2] However, it must be recorded in order to establish constructive notice.[2]
Expiration: Constructive notice does not expire by statute in Washington state.
Maximum Term: While there is no maximum term, a lease purchase agreement must have an initial period of 4 months or less. It may be renewable monthly, with each subsequent payment.[3]
No Duration: Within the context of a lease, an option to purchase that has no explicit duration will expire at the end of the lease.
Signing Requirements: Leases longer than 1 year must be in writing, signed by the seller, and notarized.[4]
Required Disclosures (8)
1. Fire Protection & Evacuation – All fire-related information, including the building’s smoking policy and the workings of its alarm system, must be disclosed to the tenant.[5]
2. Landlord/Agent Identification – Landlords must provide tenants with the names and addresses of persons authorized to enter the premises, such as property managers.[6]
3. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure & EPA Pamphlet – If the property was constructed before 1978, then tenants must be notified in writing of the possibility of the presence of lead-based paint.
4. Mold Disclosure – Tenants must be made aware of the dangers of mold.[7]
5. Move-in Checklist – If a landlord collects a security deposit, then both parties must sign a move-in checklist that documents the existing condition of the property.[8]
6. Nonrefundable Fees – Any non-refundable fees, such as an application fee, must be specifically mentioned in the lease agreement.[9]
7. Security Deposit Receipt – If the landlord collects a security deposit, then a receipt that identifies the account in which the funds are being held must be provided to the tenant.[10]
8. Voter Registration Packet (City of Seattle ONLY) – In Seattle, landlords must provide tenants with voter registration packets.[11]
Seller’s Disclosures (1)
1. Seller Disclosure Statement (required) – A statement outlining the condition of the property. The seller must provide the statement to the buyer within five days after reaching a mutual agreement to purchase.[12][13]