Washington · RCW 64.90.640Washington resale certificate (RCW 64.90.640): contents, fees and the 5-business-day right
A Washington owner selling a unit in a condominium, HOA or other common interest community must furnish the buyer a resale certificate signed by the association before the contract is signed, or otherwise before conveyance (RCW 64.90.640). The association must provide it within 10 days of the owner's request, for no more than $275. If the buyer receives it five business days or less before signing, or after signing, the buyer may cancel no later than the fifth business day after first receiving it, and may extend closing if it arrives less than five business days before the closing date.
The rules
Before the contract (subsection 1)
The seller furnishes the certificate before execution of the contract, or otherwise before conveyance, with “NONE” or “RECORDS UNAVAILABLE” for any category not provided.
10 days and fees (subsection 2)
The association furnishes it within 10 days of the owner's request; the charge may not exceed $275, nothing extra for documents already on an owner portal, and up to $100 for an update within six months. No third-party account may be required to pay or receive it.
5 business days (subsection 3(b))
If first received more than five business days before the contract, there is no cancellation right. Otherwise the buyer may cancel by notice to the seller no later than the fifth business day after first receiving it, before conveyance.
Closing extension
If the certificate first arrives less than five business days before closing, the buyer may extend closing to no more than five business days after receiving it.
Highlights of what it contains
- Rights of first refusal or other restraints, assessments due and delinquent, special assessments levied and other fees.
- Expected expenditures above 5% of the annual budget, reserve study status – with a statutory warning if there is none – financial statements, audit and operating budget.
- Judgments and legal actions, insurance and the broker's contact, notices of violations and uncured code violations.
- Declarant units and control, leasehold terms, rental and other use restrictions, age restrictions and EV charging requirements.
- Declaration, organizational documents, rules, current board policies, 12 months of minutes and the current reserve study, plus a conspicuous notice on membership, assessments and lien rights.
What the TC tracks
- Certificate requested early – 10 days for the association.
- Date the buyer first receives it, compared with the contract date.
- The fifth-business-day cancellation deadline and any closing extension.
- Assessments on the settlement statement matched to the certificate.
Questions about the Washington resale certificate
When must a Washington seller provide the resale certificate?
Before the contract for sale is signed, or otherwise before conveyance (RCW 64.90.640(1)).
How long does a Washington HOA have to provide a resale certificate?
10 days after the unit owner's request (RCW 64.90.640(2)(a)).
How much can a Washington association charge for a resale certificate?
No more than $275, plus up to $100 to update it within six months of the previous request (RCW 64.90.640(2)(b)).
Can a Washington buyer cancel after receiving the resale certificate?
Yes, unless it was received more than five business days before signing: the buyer may cancel no later than the fifth business day after first receiving it, before conveyance.
Is the buyer liable for assessments missing from the certificate?
No. The buyer is not liable for unpaid assessments or fees greater than the amount set forth in the certificate (RCW 64.90.640(3)(a)).
Related guides
Track the certificate request, the buyer's receipt and the five-business-day cancellation deadline as tasks with owners and due dates in ClosingCode.
Start free trialSource: Revised Code of Washington 64.90.640 (app.leg.wa.gov, read October 24, 2026).
General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage.