Housing Laws

In order to end (terminate) your lease under the protections of these housing laws, you need to do both of the following:

1. You must notify the landlord in writing that:
   • you or your household member was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment, or stalking, as defined by law; and
   • you are requesting to terminate your lease on a specific date.
2. You must show the landlord a copy of one of the following:
   
   • a valid protection order related to:
     • domestic violence;
     • sexual assault;
     • stalking;
     • harassment;
     • a parentage proceeding;
     • a criminal harassment case;
     • a criminal no contact order issued at arraignment for a harassment crime;
     • a criminal no contact order due to domestic violence charges; or
     • a restraining order issued as part of a divorce (dissolution) proceeding; or
   • a report signed by a qualified third party to whom you or your household member reported the domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment, or stalking.¹

Note: You must make the request to terminate the rental agreement within 90 days of the domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment, or stalking.²

¹ R.C.W. § 59.18.575(1)(a)(i), (1)(a)(ii)
² R.C.W. § 59.18.575(1)(b)