Writing Letter To Landlord Move Out

woman signing paperwork on table — iStock.com/RoBeDeRo

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 vacate letter to your landlord or property manager.

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.

What is a 30-day notice to vacate letter?

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. 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 rental 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

1. Write out a formal letter with the important details

Get your laptop out and start typing up your 30-day notice to vacate letter to your landlord. Be sure to include your name, your contact information, the address of the unit you're vacating, your move-out date, and your signature.

Or, if you're like most people, 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:

Want to use this template? Find it here.

2. Mail the letter and speak to your landlord

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).

Once you've mailed the letter, we also suggest you call or email your landlord. Give them a heads up so they can start looking for a new tenant. This will help maintain your landlord-tenant relationship, which will become important when it comes time to get your security deposit back.

3. Plan your move

Start planning your next move and snag a new apartment before you've even moved out of your current one. 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.