Notice to Vacate Template
A Notice to Vacate Letter is a formal document used by landlords or tenants to end a rental agreement and state when the property will be vacated. It helps guarantee that both parties have enough time to prepare for the move. This notice applies to month-to-month and long-term leases.
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Key Takeaways About the Notice to Vacate
- A Notice to Vacate ends a rental agreement and specifies when the tenant must move out.
- It applies to both month-to-month and long-term leases.
- The notice must include the date, property address, and move-out details.
- Notice periods vary by state, with most requiring 30 days.
- Landlords and tenants must follow specific rules when sending a Notice to Vacate.
What Is a Notice to Vacate Letter?
A Notice to Vacate Letter is a legal document that landlords send to tenants to inform them that they must vacate their property once the contract ends. It can also be used by tenants to inform their landlord that they plan on vacating their property.
You must send this letter to give tenants sufficient time to find a new place to rent, or to find a new tenant for the property.
The amount of notice you must give your tenant varies from state to state, so make sure to check what the minimum timeframe is in your jurisdiction.
A tenant can also use a Notice to Vacate to let their landlord know that they do not intend to renew their lease.
You can use a Notice to Vacate Letter to end both long term rental agreements and month-to-month contracts.
Notice To Vacate Sample
Before you begin drafting your own Notice to Vacate, it’s important to understand the structure and what to write in the letter. Here is an example of a typical Notice to Vacate:
When Can You Ask A Tenant To Vacate?
It’s acceptable to ask a tenant to vacate your property in several different situations. Here is a quick list of some of the most common reasons you may consider sending your tenants this document:
| Reason | When to send a notice to vacate |
|---|---|
| Lease ending | The lease term is almost over, and you’ve decided not to renew the agreement. |
| Month-to-month rental | You wish to end a month-to-month tenancy and need the tenant to move out by a set date. |
| Property no longer for rent | You plan to sell, renovate, or use the property for another purpose, making it unavailable for rent. |
| Tenant violating agreement | The tenant has broken lease terms, such as not paying rent or damaging the property. |
| No specific reason (causeless termination) | In states where it’s allowed, you may end the lease without cause, as long as proper notice is given. |
You must look up the restrictions on evictions in your state. This can vary, so make sure to check before you send this letter to a tenant.
What Needs To Be Included in a Notice to Vacate
When preparing a Notice to Vacate Letter, it’s important to include all the key details. Use the list below as a simple checklist when writing your letter:
- Date the letter is written
- Date the property will be vacated
- Full address of the rental property
- Title and start date of the lease agreement
- Reason for ending the tenancy (if applicable)
- Scheduled date for final walkthrough
- Forwarding address for future communication
- Name, signature, and date
How To Write a Notice to Vacate
Both landlords and tenants must provide written notice before ending a lease. Here is how to write both versions of this document.
Notice to Vacate - From Tenant to Landlord
A tenant ending a lease should include the following details in their Notice to Vacate:
| Detail | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Vacate date | Note the date you plan to move out. |
| Forwarding address | Provide your new address for any future correspondence. |
| Deposit return details | Indicate where the landlord should send your security deposit. |
Notice to Vacate - From Landlord to Tenant
If you’re a landlord ending a short- or long-term lease, make sure your letter clearly outlines the following terms:
| Detail | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Move-out date | Specify the exact day the tenant must leave the property. |
| Final rent due date | State when the last rent payment should be made. |
| Fixtures to remain | List which items or fittings must stay in the property. |
| Return condition | Explain how the tenant should return the property (clean, undamaged, etc.). |
How Much Notice Do You Need To Give In A Notice to Vacate?
The amount of notice you have to give in your Notice to Vacate Letter depends on the state you live in. Here are the relevant laws for each state. Make sure to check which applies to you before signing this document:
| State | Notice Required | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 30 days | § 35-9A-441 |
| Alaska | 30 days | § 34.03.290(b) |
| Arizona | 30 days | § 33-1375 |
| Arkansas | 30 days | § 18-17-704 |
| California | 60 days (tenancies >1 year)30 days (tenancies <1 year) | § 1946 |
| Colorado | 90 days (tenancies >1 year)30 days (tenancies > 6 months and <1 year)
10 days (tenancies > 1 month and < 6 months) 3 days (tenancies > 1 week and < 1 month) 1 day (tenancies < 1 week | § 13-40-107 |
| Connecticut | 3 days | § 47a-23 |
| Delaware | 60 days | § 5106 |
| Florida | 15 days | § 83.57 |
| Georgia | 60 days for the landlord, 30 days for the tenant | § 44-7-7 |
| Hawaii | 45 days for the landlord, 28 for the tenant | § 521-71 |
| Idaho | 30 days | § 55-208 |
| Illinois | 30 days | §735 ILCS 5/9-207 |
| Indiana | 30 days | § 32-31-1-1 |
| Iowa | 30 days | § 562A.34 |
| Kansas | 30 days | § 58-2570 |
| Kentucky | 30 days | § 383.695 |
| Louisiana | 10 days | § CC 2728 |
| Maine | 30 days | § 6002 |
| Maryland | 60 days | § 8-402 |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | § 186-15B |
| Michigan | 30 days | § 554.134 |
| Minnesota | 90 days or one full rental period | § 504B.135 |
| Mississippi | 30 days | § 89-8-19 |
| Missouri | 30 days | § 441.060 |
| Montana | 30 days | § 70-24-441 |
| Nebraska | 30 days | § 76-1437(2) |
| Nevada | 30 days | § NRS 40.251 |
| New Hampshire | 30 days | § 540:11(2) |
| New Jersey | 30 days if month to month, 3 months if year to year | § 2A:18-56 |
| New Mexico | 30 days | § 47-8-37 |
| New York | 30 days | § 232-b |
| North Carolina | 7 days | § 42-14 |
| North Dakota | 30 days | § 47-16-07.2 |
| Ohio | 30 days | § 5321.17 |
| Oklahoma | 30 days | § 41-111 |
| Oregon | 30 days | § 91.070 |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days (tenancies >1 year) | § 250.501 |
| Rhode Island | 30 days | § 34-18-37 |
| South Carolina | 30 days | § 27-40-770 |
| South Dakota | 30 days for landlords,15 days for the tenant | § 43-32-13 |
| Tennessee | 30 days | § 66-28-512 |
| Texas | 30 days | § 91.001 |
| Utah | 15 days | § 78B-6-802 |
| Vermont | 60 days (tenancies 2 years or less)90 days (tenancies > + 2 years | § 4467 |
| Virginia | 30 days | § 55.1-1253(A) |
| Washington | 20 days | § 59.18.200 |
| Washington D.C | 30 days | § 42–3505.54(a) |
| West Virginia | 30 days | § 37-6-5 |
| Wisconsin | 28 days | § 704.19 |
| Wyoming | No minimum period | No statute exists |
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