How to Write a Notice to Vacate Letter (Template)

The time has come to move out of your apartment. One of the first things you need to do is give your landlord a notice of your intent to vacate the unit.

Whether you are relocating for a new job or simply moving to a bigger apartment, you’re going to need to write a notice to vacate letter to your landlord.

Not sure what a notice to vacate is or how to write one? We've got you covered!

How to Write a Notice to Vacate Letter

What is a Notice to Vacate Letter?

A notice to vacate is a written statement given from a tenant to a landlord informing them that you plan to move out of your unit once your lease ends. A notice to vacate is also commonly referred to as a notice of intent to vacate.

The notice to vacate letter is provided to give your landlord adequate time to find another tenant for the unit you're vacating. The letter is usually sent out 1 to 3 months before your lease ends.

A notice to vacate can be given for any lease length, from month-to-month leases to traditional 1-year leases.

How Much Notice Do You Need to Give When You Vacate?

Your notice to vacate requirement is generally dictated by your lease agreement. A 30-day notice to vacate letter is common for many leases. However, some rental agreements require more or less notification, so always check your lease.

While a 30-day notice to vacate is standard, your landlord may require a 60-day notice or 90-day notice. If your lease doesn't clearly outline a timeline for your notice to vacate letter, you should contact your landlord for clarification.

Notice to Vacate Letter Template

[Your phone number]

[Your Current Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Landlord's Name Or Apartment Company’s Name]

[Landlord's Address as stated on your lease]

[City, State, Zip Code]

Re: Notice of Intent to Vacate

Dear [Landlord's name/Property Manager's name/Apartment Manager's name],

As per my rental agreement, I am providing this letter as a [##]-day notice that I will be moving out of my rental unit on [date], ending my lease that began on [date]. This letter shall serve as my written notice of intent to vacate the premises.

[In case you are breaking the lease because there are issues with the apartment, state them here]_Please contact me at [phone number] to schedule a walk-through inspection. I expect my security deposit of [$ amount] to be refunded in full as my apartment is being left in good condition. Please send my deposit to my forwarding address: [new address]_.

If any other issues or questions arise after I move, I can be reached at [phone number] or [email].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Download the Notice to Vacate Template Here

Tips for Your Notice to Vacate

• Before writing the letter, make sure you read through your lease agreement. This may include the designated terms for moving out and will give you a good idea of how to manage this process. If you are breaking a lease, the terms for this should be stated there as well.
• For your contact information, include both your new forwarding addresses for security deposit delivery. If you kept your apartment in good condition, your security deposit should be refunded in full.
• Include the date to verify that you are delivering the notice within the designated time frame outlined in your rental agreement. Keep it simple and clear while providing specific details.
• Be formal and polite. Keeping in good standing with your landlord is vital if you plan on using them as a reference in future apartment applications.

What If My Landlord Gave Me a Notice to Vacate Form to Fill Out?

If your landlord gave you a form to fill out, you can submit that in lieu of a notice to vacate letter. This is often easier for both parties because it asks for all of the necessary information such as the date and your forwarding address. As with a notice to vacate letter, be sure to keep a record of your submission.

What is the Best Way to Send a Notice to Vacate Letter?

Email is a great way to send a notice to vacate letter because it allows you to keep a record of your submission that's easy to access. Another option is to personally deliver the letter in order to ensure that it arrived at its destination. If you are not sending over an email or personally delivering the letter, send it by certified mail.

What Happens After You Send a Notice to Vacate Letter?

After notifying your landlord that you intend to move, they should send a follow-up response to confirm that they received your notice (if you do not confirm in person). If they do not, then having a record of contacting your landlord such as an email or a receipt for certified mail will help protect you if a miscommunication arises. But it's always a good idea to follow-up and confirm that your landlord received your notice as a courtesy.

Once you've vacated your rental property, your landlord must return your security deposit to you within a timeframe dictated by your state's laws. This timeframe can vary from 14 days to 60 days depending on your state.

What Happens if You Don't Send a Notice to Vacate Letter?

If you don't send a notice to vacate letter, you could face different consequences depending on your lease. If you're in a month-to-month lease, failing to give notice to vacate could affect whether you owe your landlord another month's rent after you move.

More commonly, you could forfeit your security deposit if you do not submit a notice to vacate that includes a forwarding address. That's why it's important to check your lease or ask your property manager when they require notice to vacate and be sure to submit before the deadline. If you do not have a forwarding address when your notice to vacate is due, be sure to send an email or certified letter informing your landlord, and then provide your forwarding address as soon as you have one (again, by email or certified mail).

Can I Provide My Notice to Vacate Verbally?

Since a notice to vacate is usually a requirement of your lease, you should always submit your notice as a letter and in a form that is easily traceable. Even if you have a good relationship with your landlord, a notice to vacate is a legal document, and it should be submitted whether or not you have verbally informed your landlord of your intent to move.

Notice to Vacate from Landlords to Tenants

The term “notice to vacate” sometimes refers to a lease termination letter written by a landlord to a tenant.

A landlord notice to vacate letter is a written notice given by a landlord to a tenant to terminate their tenancy.

This type of notice is typically used in the following cases:

• Before the end of a fixed-term lease if the landlord doesn’t wish to renew it.
• To terminate a periodic tenancy such as month-to-month tenancy.
• To remove a tenant that hasn’t vacated the property after the expiration of the rental agreement. 

How Much Time do Landlords Have to Give Notice?

Landlord notices typically are sent in in these timeframes:

• A 30-day notice is required by most fixed-term rental agreements and by month-to-month leases in most states. In California, however, a 30-day notice can be given to tenants on a month-to-month lease only in case if a tenant has lived on the property for less than a year.
• A 60-day notice is required by California law if a tenant has lived in the rental unit for a year or more.
• A 90-day notice is required by California law if the tenant lives in subsidized housing (Section 8). In this case, the landlord must provide a reason for the termination of the tenancy.
• A 3-day notice is used in case a tenant violates a rental agreement by not paying rent on time, moving in a pet without permission, etc. This notice can be conditional, such as “3-Day Notice to Perform Covenants or Quit” and “3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit,” or final.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Notice to Vacate the Same as an Eviction?

A notice to vacate from your landlord can be an eviction notice. Evictions occur when your landlord provides you notice that you must move from the property. These generally occur in cases of missed rent payments, illegal activity, or extensive property damage. Your landlord may also send you a notice to vacate if you have stayed past your lease.

Can You Submit a Notice to Vacate in Order to Terminate a Lease Early?

A notice to vacate is not the same as an early lease termination. If your landlord fails to comply with state or local law, or if they violate your rights as a tenant, you may have grounds to terminate your lease. But if your landlord is not in violation of the law, then breaking your lease requires you to make an explicit arrangement with your landlord. In cases where you simply want to leave for personal reasons, you may be able to negotiate with your landlord or pay a fee to terminate your lease early per your rental agreement.

Can a Notice to Vacate Letter Be Handwritten?

You are certainly allowed to write your notice to vacate by hand. Just keep in mind the following points:

• Email makes it easier to keep a record of your notice. If you write by hand, be sure to send a copy through certified mail.
• Make sure your writing is legible, especially the forwarding address for your security deposit.
• Don't forget to include the date.

Can a Notice to Vacate Letter Affect My Security Deposit?

Failing to submit a notice to vacate letter per your lease agreement could result in a delay in your security deposit being returned or even a forfeiture of your deposit. Moreover, this can also be the case if you notify your landlord of your intent to vacate but do not provide a forwarding address. Be sure to check your lease well in advance of your move date, or contact your landlord for more information about your notification requirements.