How do you write a letter to landlord about moving out

So, you’ve found a better place, you’re moving in with a significant other, or you need to skip town for a new job. Whatever your reasoning, you’re moving out and need to submit your 30-day notice to your landlord or property manager. First, you’ll need to put your notice in writing.

Not sure what a notice to vacate letter is, or how to go about writing one? Not a problem — we’ll help you through it with our guide to why, when, and how to submit a notice to vacate. 

A 30-day notice to vacate letter is a written document you submit to your landlord or property manager letting them know you plan to end your lease and move out of your rental unit. This letter formally announces your plans to vacate the residence and break or end your lease.

Why do you need to give notice to your landlord?

Many, if not most, properties require that tenants provide “notice to vacate” to the landlord before moving out and before the end of your lease agreement. By submitting a 30-day notice, you’re providing your landlord or property manager with an adequate amount of time to find a new tenant.

When considering whether or not to renew your lease, be sure to read the details of your lease agreement. While most standard leases require tenants provide 30-day notice to vacate before moving out, required notice periods can be anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Once you have decided to terminate or break your lease, and you have renewed the details of your rental contract, you’ll want to put your intent to move out in writing so you’re protected legally.

When should you submit the notice to vacate?

Before you do anything, get the logistics of moving out of the way.

Will you be signing a new lease on a certain day? Are you planning on being in a new city on a particular date? Check your calendar and decide when you want your final day in your apartment to be. From there, you will know how and when you should give your landlord written notice. Again, most leases require a 30-day notice to vacate, so keep that timeline in mind when planning your move. If you move out early or don’t give enough notice, you may be required to pay a fee, depending on what your lease says.

How to submit a notice to vacate letter in 3 steps

Here are the steps to take when submitting your 30 day notice to your landlord or property owner

1. Identify your move-out date

   The first step when writing your notice to vacate is identifying your move out date. You’ll wan to submit your notice within the required timeframe outlined in your lease agreement. Once you have your date set, you can start drafting your notice.

2. Draft your letter

   Get your laptop out and start typing up your 30-day notice to vacate letter to your landlord. Be sure to include the following:
   Your name
   Your contact information
   The address of the unit you’re vacating
   Your move-out date
   Your new apartment address (for the return of your security deposit)
   Your signature
   The date of your request submission

3. Send the letter and follow up with your landlord or property manager

   Create a copy of your 30-day notice to vacate so you have it for your own records. Send the other copy to your landlord; make sure it’s postmarked so you can verify you’ve given a full 30 days notice (or however long your lease requires you to give before moving out). Some landlords and property managers will also accept your notice to vacate via email.
   
   Once you’ve sent the letter, we also suggest you call or email your landlord to confirm receipt. Give them a heads up so they can start looking for a new tenant to fill the vacancy. This will help maintain your landlord-tenant relationship, which will become important when it comes time to get your security deposit back. You’ll also then be given any information on move-out cleaning and repairs to complete to receive your security deposit in full.

To make drafting your notice to vacate even easier, simply find a template and simply fill in the blanks. Here’s a 30-day notice to vacate sample letter that highlights the things you’ll want to include:

Now that you’ve submitted your notice to vacate your current apartment, you can start planning your next move. Once you’re ready to begin moving, buy your moving supplies, check out local moving companies, organize your belongings to make the moving process go smoothly, and avoid the common mistakes people make when moving out. 

FAQ: Written notice to vacate

Is it required to write a notice to vacate letter?

Yes. Most landlords and property managers will require written notice should you decide to not renew your current lease. Some landlords and property managers may accept a simple email, while others will request a formal letter. Refer to your lease or reach out to your property manager should you have any questions about how to submit your intent to vacate.

What happens if I don’t provide a written notice?

If you do not submit a formal notice to vacate you could be subject to additional costs and fees. Without a written notice, your lease will likely continue on a month-to-month basis, with a higher monthly rent price. To avoid any penalties, be aware of how much notice you need to provide.

What should I do if my landlord or property manager does not respond to my written notice?

If you do not hear back from your landlord or property manager within a week of submitting your written notice you should follow-up as soon as possible. Send a courteous follow-up email or give them a call directly to ensure that your notice did not get lost in the mail or sent to the spam inbox. Landlords and property managers often have lots of emails and transactions with many tenants and it’s possible that yours could have simply been lost in the shuffle.

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