Mailing & serving notices
Do you add extra days when a landlord notice is mailed?
Updated · By the Landlord Notice Mail team
In several states, yes. Washington allows five additional days before you can file when an eviction notice is served by mail; Arizona treats a notice sent by certified mail as received on the day it actually arrives or five days after mailing, whichever is first; and California adds five days to mailed rent increase notices. Where the statute is silent, count from actual receipt to be safe.
| State | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | Notices under the unlawful detainer chapter served by mail: 5 additional days before filing | RCW 59.12.040 |
| Arizona | Registered or certified mail: received on actual receipt or 5 days after mailing, whichever is first | A.R.S. 33-1313 |
| California | Eviction notice deadlines count from the day after delivery or mailing; mailed rent increase notices get 5 more days | Court self-help, Civil Code 827 |
| California (entry) | A notice of entry mailed at least 6 days before is presumed reasonable | Civil Code 1954 |
| Other states | Check the statute and court rules; some courts add days for mail | Your state's code |
A worked example (Arizona)
You mail a 5-day nonpayment notice by certified mail on Monday the 1st. If the tenant signs for it on Wednesday the 3rd, it is received on the 3rd. If they never pick it up, it is deemed received on Saturday the 6th (five days after mailing). The tenant's 5 days run from the receipt date.
A worked example (Washington)
A 14-day pay or vacate notice is served by posting and mailing. Count the 14 days, then allow the 5 additional days the statute gives for mailed service before filing.
Safe habits
- Mail early. Notice periods are minimums.
- Use Certified Mail so the mailing date is on a USPS receipt.
- Keep the receipt, tracking history and return receipt with a copy of the notice.
Quick answers
Does Florida add days for a mailed 3-day notice?
Florida's statute lists mailing as a delivery method but does not state extra days. Some Florida courts have required extra time when the notice is mailed; ask local counsel or hand-deliver as well.
Do weekends count in the extra days?
Read the statute and your court's counting rules. Arizona's rule counts five days after mailing; Washington's five are additional days before filing.
Does certified mail count from mailing or from signature?
Depends on the state. In Arizona, the earlier of actual receipt or 5 days after mailing. Elsewhere, check whether the statute counts from service, delivery or receipt.
What to do next
Send notices by Certified Mail with return receipt so the mailing and receipt dates are on record: $17.99 each, or 5 a month on the $29 Landlord plan.
Start the Landlord planSources
- Revised Code of Washington 59.12.040
- Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1313
- California Courts: Serve an eviction notice
- California Civil Code 827
- California Civil Code 1954
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.