Washington Timeshare Cancellation Laws

Stuck with a Washington timeshare that keeps draining your wallet? You are not alone. Thousands of owners, especially retirees on fixed income, find themselves locked into rising fees and endless fine print.

This article is for every Washingtonian who wants to understand state cancellation rules, spot the traps, and walk away without losing more money.

Keep reading and you will learn exactly how the law protects you, where scammers hide, and how MyTimeshareExitReviews connects you with vetted exit companies that use escrow, so you pay nothing until the job is done.

What Washington Law Says About Timeshares

A timeshare is the right to use a resort unit for a slice of time each year. In Washington, these purchases are regulated by the Timeshare Act, found in chapter 64.36 of the Revised Code of Washington.

The Act sets advertising rules, sales disclosures, and a cooling-off right called rescission. Real estate brokers who sell timeshares must still follow every part of the Act in addition to real estate law.

Under RCW 64.36.150, you can cancel a purchase within seven calendar days after signing the contract or after receiving the disclosure statement, whichever happens later. Even before you sign, RCW 64.36.025 lets you back out of any “reservation” and get your deposit back in ten days.

These protections matter because Washington ranks among the top states for vacation clubs, with popular resorts in Birch Bay, Lake Chelan, Ocean Shores, and Leavenworth, places heavily marketed to older travelers searching for reliable getaways.

Important note: If the seller never handed you the Public Offering Statement required by RCW 64.36, you can demand it now, and the seven-day cancellation clock does not start until you receive that booklet in full.

Why Owners Struggle to Get Free

Sky-high maintenance fees that grow faster than Social Security cost-of-living raises.
Aggressive upgrade pitches during “owner updates” that feel more like hard-sell marathons.
No resale market. Listings for one dollar sit online for months with no bites.
Scam exit calls. Fraudsters charge large upfront sums and disappear, as seen in multiple BBB cases and media reports.

Washington’s own Attorney General sued the once-famous Timeshare Exit Team for deceptive practices and forced it to pay refunds and quit the tricks. The message is clear: pay nothing up front and demand escrow.

Pro tip: Once a year, total last year’s maintenance fees, assessments, and travel costs. Seeing the real annual price in black and white often sparks decisive action instead of letting the bill quietly creep higher.

How to Break Free the Right Way

Use the Seven-Day Cooling Off Window

Write a short letter:

State you are canceling under RCW 64.36.150.
Include contract number, date signed, and your contact info.
Send by certified mail or hand deliver to the address in the contract.

If day seven falls on Sunday or a legal holiday, the period extends to the next business day. The promoter must return every dollar you paid within thirty days.

Missed the Window? Know Your Options

Negotiate with the resort’s own exit department: Some brands will accept a deed-back if your payments are current.
Sell or gift the timeshare: Prices are often near zero, so be realistic.
Hire a professional exit company, but only one that offers third-party escrow: This keeps your money safe until the exit proof is in hand.
Why Escrow Is the Only Safe Fee Method

Timeshare Exit Team, like many rivals, took full payment first and offered a vague “money-back guarantee.” It did not use escrow, and complaints piled up.

When fees sit in escrow, the exit company gets paid only after showing recorded deeds or a resort confirmation. That simple step blocks most fraud.

Red Flags to Avoid

A company wants wire transfers or crypto.
Pressure tactics: “Sign tonight or lose the deal.”
Vague timeline and no written plan.
Promise that you can stop paying fees right away without risk, your credit will suffer if that claim is false.

Consumer experts warn that scammers feast on seniors with those very tricks.

Important note: Save every misleading postcard, email, or presentation slide you receive. False advertising is illegal under RCW 64.36.320, and those documents become leverage if the promoter resists cancellation.

Rules That Work in Your Favor

Resale ads must be truthful. False prize offers are illegal under RCW 64.36.320.
Timeshare salespeople must disclose whether they act as a registered promoter or as a real estate broker.
Any deposit taken before a project is finished must stay in escrow until completion.

Knowing these points arms you during calls and presentations in Seattle, Spokane, or on the coast.

Which Exit Path Fits You

Exit path	Typical cost	Time line	Upside	Downside
Rescission	Postage only	1–4 weeks	Full refund	Must act fast
DIY resale	$700–$1,500	3–12 months	Possible cash back	No buyer guarantee
Rent then exit	$0 upfront	Annual	Covers dues	Contract still alive
Gift transfer	$300–$1,000	1–3 months	Passes fees	Risk of snap-back
Exit company (escrow)	$3,000–$9,000	6–18 months	Stress-free release	Fee
Lawsuit	$8,000+	12–36 months	Court order	High cost, stress

Five Moves to Guard Your Money

Pull your contract. Confirm the signing date and read the rescission clause line by line.
Stay current on dues until exit is final; missed payments hurt credit.
Search the company’s name plus “lawsuit” and “refund” before signing anything.
Ask one blunt question: “Will my money sit in escrow until the work is finished?” Accept nothing less.
Reach out to us. At MyTimeshareExitReviews, we will listen to your story and, if it makes sense, connect you with a proven exit company that holds your funds in escrow so you face zero upfront risk.

Important note: Create a dedicated email folder and cloud backup for every contract, receipt, and message about your exit. A clean paper trail speeds up escrow release and protects you if questions arise later.

Need Help Canceling? Here’s the Safe Way to Do It

If you want help, choose a path that protects your money. MyTimeshareExitReviews can be your first call. We help you connect with vetted timeshare exit companies that offer escrow, so you have no up-front fees.

That means your funds stay protected until the work you agree to is completed.

Frequently Asked Question

How long do I have to cancel a new Washington timeshare contract?

Washington’s Timeshare Act gives you seven full calendar days after you sign the contract, or after you receive the required disclosure booklet, whichever is later. Put your cancellation in writing, send it certified mail, and the seller must refund every cent within thirty days.

Can I still cancel after the seven-day period?

If the seven-day window has closed, you can still exit. Ask the resort for a deed-back, try giving away the week, or hire a proven exit company that uses escrow. Stay current on fees and get every promise in writing.

Do I need a lawyer to cancel my contract?

Most owners do not need a private lawyer. They achieve release through the statutory cooling-off rule, a resort surrender program, or a reputable escrow-based exit company. Lawyers usually become involved only when there is a disputed debt collection or suspected fraud.

What are common scams in Washington?

Watch for cold callers who demand wire transfers, rush you to sign tonight, claim they can stop fees immediately, or brag about secret ties to your resort. Those tricks signal a scam. Never pay upfront, and always insist that money stays in escrow.

Why is escrow so important?

With escrow, your money sits in a locked account and stays yours until the company proves you are completely out of the timeshare; no proof, no payment, simple as that.

Final Thoughts

Washington law gives you a clear seven-day lifeline and other safeguards, yet the path after that window closes can feel like a maze.

Scammers are waiting at every turn, waving fake guarantees and big promises. Do not gamble with retirement savings. Talk with experts who have seen every trick.

Reach out today, tell us your situation, and we will walk you through the safest route out. If it fits, we will introduce you to a vetted partner that uses escrow, meaning you never pay until you are free. Take control now.

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Washington Timeshare Cancellation Laws