Hi, I’m Jason, the Designated Broker here at SJC Management Group. If you've been following along with my recent updates, you’ll know that 2025 has brought some big legislative changes for landlords in Washington State. I’ve already talked about the most significant one—rent control—and if you haven’t seen that video yet, I recommend checking it out.
But today, I want to highlight another important change that might not be making as many headlines, but definitely impacts day-to-day property management: how we’re required to send notices to tenants.
The Old Rule: Mailing from the Same County
For the last, I don’t know—150 years?—we’ve had this quirky rule that if you were sending a notice like a rent increase or a 14-day pay or vacate notice, it had to be mailed from within the same county the rental property was located in.
So, let’s say you’re in Pierce County and your rental is in King County. Even if you’re only a couple blocks from the property, the law required you to go find a King County post office to send that notice. That’s always been a bit of a head-scratcher, especially since everything goes to the same mail sorting center anyway.
The New Law: Certified Mail for All Notices
Well, things have changed—but maybe not in the way landlords were hoping. Originally, there was an effort to allow mailing from other counties, provided it was done via certified mail. But as the bill worked its way through the legislature, it evolved.
Now, starting July 27, 2025, all notices must be sent via certified mail.
That means rent increases, 10-day comply notices, 14-day pay or vacate notices—everything. And yes, if you have multiple tenants on a lease, each one needs their own certified copy. So, if you’ve got two roommates on a lease, you’re mailing out two certified letters. If you’re doing best practice and including an "All Other Occupants" notice as well (which we recommend for legal clarity), that’s a third certified letter going out.
Good News and Bad News
The good news is that the old “county-specific post office” rule is gone. You can now send your notices from any county in Washington State. That will make things a bit more convenient, especially for landlords or property managers working across county lines.
The bad news? Certified mail costs more—plain and simple. What used to be a few bucks for regular postage might now run you $10 to $20 depending on how many people you're mailing to. That adds up quickly, especially if you're managing multiple properties.
What You Should Do
Come July 27, 2025, certified mail is the law of the land for serving tenant notices in Washington. Make sure you're budgeting for the increased mailing costs and adjusting your notice procedures accordingly. This is one of those changes where non-compliance could end up costing you a lot more than a postage upgrade.
As always, if you have any questions about how this affects your rental property—or anything else property management related—feel free to reach out. I’m here to help.
Thanks for reading,
Jason
Designated Broker, SJC Management Group
