Whether you want to avoid your lease automatically renewing (possibly because you received a Notice of Rent Increase) or you found another apartment that works better for you, you will need to inform your landlord within the proper notice period of your plans using a Notice to Vacate Letter.
What does a notice to vacate mean? Simply put, a notice to vacate is a letter sent to your landlord to inform them that you (the tenant) want to vacate the premises.
What Is a Notice to Vacate Letter?
A notice to vacate is a legal document sent to your landlord or property owner, so they know when you (the tenant) plan to move out of your rental property.
The document typically includes the date of departure, a forwarding address for mail, and any relevant details from the lease regarding cleaning and your security deposit.
The notice serves two purposes — it protects the tenant by showing that you gave your landlord sufficient warning of your intention to leave, and it protects the landlord by giving them adequate time to find a new tenant.
How to Send a Notice to Vacate
First, you’ll need to fill in a notice to vacate template, which provides the formatting and legal language required for your notice. All you have to do is add your details.
When filling out your notice to vacate, make sure you send it within the time frame required by the lease.
Most leases require notice 30 days before you plan to move out (or the lease expires), and some may require 60-90 days.
Once you’ve written your letter, you need to get proof that the notice was postmarked at least 30 days (or the time frame required by your lease) before the move-out date and get a tracking number so you can prove that you delivered the notice to your landlord.
How Do You Write a 30-Day Letter?
First, download a notice to vacate template and fill out the necessary information. Ensure the move-out date you put in the notice is at least 30 days after the postmark on your letter.
Then, send the letter by registered or certified mail, so there is proof of mailing and delivery.
Keep copies of the letter, the mailing/certified receipt, and the lease agreement until after your security deposit has been returned.
You can write your tenant notice to vacate letter or make the most of our free notice to vacate letter template. We have all the legal terms filled in, so all you have to do is add your personal information.
Legal Templates also provides a sample letter to help you fill in your form.
Notice to Vacate FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about notices to vacate:
Do I need to send an intent to vacate letter if I am breaking the lease?
Yes, you should still use a notice to vacate letter if you want to break your lease. It would be best if you gave a time frame for your move, and the more time you can give the landlord the better chance you have of avoiding additional penalties.
Does sending a written notice to vacate guarantee the landlord will return my security deposit in full?
No, there’s never any guarantee you will get any or all of your security deposit back. The lease usually states what’s required for a return in full, but there may be deductions for replacing damaged property.
That said, sending proper notice to your landlord increases your chances of getting back some or all of your deposit.
Can I just call my landlord and tell them I’m moving?
Yes, you can inform your landlord verbally of your plans to move, but you won’t have a written record of giving your landlord proper notice.
It is always best to send them a written notice in addition to a phone call or in-person conversation in case there’s any question in the future of when you delivered the notice and when you plan to move out.
What is the difference between notice to vacate and eviction?
The tenant writes a notice to vacate to inform the landlord of intent to move out of the rental property, typically 30, 60, or 90 days before the intended move-out date or according to the requirements of the lease agreement.
An eviction notice, sometimes called a notice to quit or notice of termination, is written by the landlord to inform the tenant of the number of days they have to cure a problem (like past-due rent) or move out.
