A lease termination letter can be used to end a lease agreement early or to confirm that an expiring lease term won’t renew. This document can be filled out by either the landlord or the tenant.
If you need to end your lease early, most lease agreements require you to give written notice within a certain number of days. Even if your lease doesn’t specifically require written notice, using a lease termination letter will protect you in the event of a later dispute.
How to Write (Fill Out) a Lease Termination Letter
Whether you’re a landlord who needs to send a lease termination letter to a tenant, or a tenant who needs to send one to your landlord, a simple lease termination letter should include the following basic elements:
1. Name the parties involved
A lease termination letter written by a landlord to a tenant needs to name the parties involved and their address. First, you should write down:
- Landlord: Name of the party who owns the premises being rented and their current address
- Tenant: Name of the party who rents the premises and pays the landlord and their current address.
2. Original rental agreement
This is the original agreement signed between the landlord and the tenant when they first leased the property. You have to write down the date at which the original lease/rental agreement was signed and when it’s going to be terminated.
3. Vacate date
The date at which the tenant should vacate the premise of the leased property. This can be either (1) before the expiration of or (2) at the end of the lease term.
4. Reason for termination
This is an essential section in the letter, where you stipulate the reason for the lease termination. Legal issues can arise through wrongful termination, so it’s best to include a reason to protect your decision
5. Forwarding address
Where to forward mail, send future notices, or the security deposit.
6. Proof of Service
In case you are not the person who’s serving the termination letter, you will need a signed affidavit of service.
The proof of service is handed to the tenant/landlord by the person who served the notice. It serves as evidence that the notice was given to the tenant on a certain date, and helps to prove that the notice was given to the other party
Use our comprehensive lease termination letter template to ensure you include all the necessary information or use our document builder to generate a complete lease termination letter.
Example Lease Termination Letter
In the following lease termination letter example, the landlord is informing the tenant that their lease won’t be renewed at the end of the lease term.
Tips for Writing a Lease Termination Letter
Here are a few general rules to follow when writing your lease termination letter:
-
-
- Proofread for errors. Be sure to check dates and spelling to make sure the information is accurate.
- Keep it clear. You should include a clear reason for your early termination, especially if your lease only allows early termination under certain circumstances. For example, leases generally allow a tenant to leave early if the premises aren’t habitable and the landlord hasn’t made repairs.
- Check the lease for where and how to deliver it. Leases often tell you where to give notice and sometimes even specify how it must be delivered.
- Don’t sit on it. Once you know you need to terminate your lease early, write and send your lease termination letter as soon as possible. If you’re terminating early, it’s better to give the other party as much notice as possible so they can plan accordingly.
-
You can also check our Indiana lease termination letter.
Lease Termination Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write a 30-day notice to move out?
To write a 30-day notice to move out, include the following:
-
-
- The date of the notice
- The intended move-out date
- The reason for moving out, where future notices can be sent (forwarding address)
- Key information about the lease including landlord and tenant information.
-
Make sure the date on the notice (postmarked or delivered date) is at least 30 days before the move-out date.
How do I write a 60-day lease termination letter?
When writing a 60-day lease termination letter, include the date of the notice, the date the lease will end, landlord and tenant contact information, the key terms of the original lease, and the reason for termination. Make sure the date on the termination letter is at least 60 days before the move-out date.
Free Lease Termination Letter Sample (PDF & Word)
Download and print the following blank template to get started on your termination letter.
[lt_component id="15483"]
To find out more about whether this is the right document for ending your lease, check out our lease termination letter guide.