Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04 § 59.04.010
Tenancies from year to year abolished except under written contract.
Operative Text
Tenancies from year to year are hereby abolished except when the same are created by express written contract. Leases may be in writing or print, or partly in writing and partly in print. Nothing in this section shall be construed in any manner to conflict with or supersede RCW 59.18.210 .
Washington law under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.010 et seq. eliminates the old common-law concept of a 'tenancy from year to year' unless the parties have created one through an explicit written contract. Leases themselves may be written, printed, or a combination of both formats. This provision does not override or conflict with the separate rules found in RCW 59.18.210, which governs related tenancy matters.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.010 et seq., operators who intend to establish a year-to-year tenancy must do so through an express written contract rather than relying on informal or implied arrangements. Compliant property managers typically ensure that any lease intended to run on a yearly basis is documented in writing, whether typed, printed, handwritten, or some combination. Keeping clear written records of tenancy terms helps avoid disputes about the nature and duration of the rental relationship.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.04.010 et seq. means that a landlord generally cannot claim a tenant is bound to a year-to-year tenancy unless there is a written contract expressly creating one. Tenants who are uncertain about the type of tenancy they hold may want to review any written agreements they have signed, since the absence of such a written contract is legally significant under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations or a local housing authority can help explain how this rule interacts with other Washington tenancy laws, including RCW 59.18.210.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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