How to Provide Move Out Notice to Your Landlord

By its very nature, a rental isn’t meant to last forever. And when you’re ready to move on to the next place, providing your landlord or property management company with proper move out notice is good form—and, in many cases, a requirement of your lease.

So, where should you start? Below, we’ve outlined all of the basics that you need to know about writing a move out notice, including what it is, what it should include, and a sample move out notice template to help ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

What is move out notice?

Move out notice, also known as a notice to vacate, is a formal lease termination letter that you provide to your landlord or property manager in anticipation of leaving your rental.

You should plan to send a move out notice in the event you are vacating your property early, but also if you just don’t intend to renew your lease at the end of its term. Look to your lease agreement for specifics in terms of what’s expected in this notice, particularly when it comes to how far in advance you must provide it. Depending on what your lease says, your landlord may require notice 30 days or 60 days prior to your departure—or some other time frame noted in writing.

Can you move out without giving notice?

Technically yes, though you may face legal and financial consequences for doing so.

Just as you have certain rights as a tenant, your landlord has the right to notice when you plan to vacate the unit. Aside from just being the right thing to do, providing your landlord with a notice to vacate is a requirement outlined in your lease, which is itself a binding legal document.

Always provide a move out notice within the designated time frame set out in your rental agreement. Whether this has to be a formal written statement or not will depend on what your lease says, but if you’re not sure then the best thing to do is contact your landlord or property management company directly (and as far in advance as possible) to ask what is expected of you.

How to write a notice to vacate

It’s good practice to look into what steps you need to take for your move out notice as soon as you know that you’re planning to relocate. Here’s where to start.

Step 1: Look at your lease agreement

The first place to look when it comes to a notice to vacate is at your lease. This is where you’ll find all of the details surrounding your move out, including who you need to provide notice to, how to do it, and how far in advance it has to be given.

How much notice you have to provide—i.e. 30 days, 60 days, or more or less—may depend on the type of rental agreement that you have. Month-to-month leases, for example, may require more notice than less. Likewise, if your lease is for six months, a year, or some other long-term period, your notice requirement may be on the shorter end—though these are guidelines, not guarantees, and your lease itself (or your landlord) is the only place you can go to know what your terms are.

In addition to scoping out how far in advance notice has to be provided, look to your lease for details on how to go about it. Does your move out notice need to be provided in person? Is email okay? Is there a specific person who has to be notified? These details should be provided under a “delivery clause,” and will hopefully answer any lingering questions about what’s expected of you.

Step 2: Draft your move out notice

Next up is writing the move out notice itself. Similar to lease changes—and the lease itself—putting your notice in writing makes it official. It also spells out all of the information that your landlord needs in an easy and accessible format.

As for what to include in a move out notice, make sure you hit on all of the essentials, which includes:

• • Your name and current address (including unit number)
  • The current date
  • The date that you plan to vacate the apartment
  • Your new address
  • Your contact information

  You should also make sure to include a brief statement that touches on the notice requirements set out in your lease to show that you’ve met them.

  Sample move out notice template:

  [Your name and full address]

  Attention: [Landlord’s name or name of property management company]

  This letter is to provide you with notice that I will be vacating my address at [current address] effective [date of move out].

  I am providing notice within [XX] days as required by my rental agreement. My refundable security deposit can be mailed to:

  I will arrange for all utilities to be shut off prior to my departure. Please contact me at [phone number] to arrange for a move-out inspection and to collect my keys.

  Of course, your specific notice to vacate may vary. You may need to transfer utilities to your landlord’s name (if stipulated in the lease), or you may choose to opt out of being present at the move-out inspection (though it’s a good idea to be there, especially if you want to ensure that you get your full security deposit back).

  Step 3: Deliver your letter

  Your best bet for delivering move out notice is to do so in person, since then you won’t have to worry that it made it to the right person and you’ll also be able to have a conversation about the details if warranted.

  Again, your lease should clearly designate who must receive notice from you and how. If it’s required that you send your notice to vacate by mail, check to see if it needs to be certified and/or signed for upon delivery.

  Make sure to keep a copy of the letter for yourself. You don’t want to find yourself second guessing the specifics later.

  Quick tips for providing landlord with notice

  Writing a move out notice letter isn’t complicated, but it is a formality that can seem a bit confusing if you’ve never done it before. With that in mind, here’s an overview of various tips that will help you out.

  • • Look at your lease right away when you know that you’re going to be moving out. It will be your guide in terms of how much notice you have to give before moving out and how to do it—as well as whether a formal letter is even required.
    • When it doubt, ask. With money and a reference on the line, you’re always going to be better off having too much information instead of too little. Reach out to your landlord or property management company directly if you’re in need of any clarifications.
    • Always include a forwarding address and contact information. Your landlord may need to get in touch with you after you move, and you definitely don’t want there to be delays for things like getting your security deposit back. If you don’t have your next address lined up yet at the time you draft your letter, provide the address of a trusted friend or family member (just let them know you’ll be doing so).

    Writing a notice to vacate is a straightforward process, and so long as you’re sending it out in time, you shouldn’t anticipate any hiccups. Follow the tips and template above to take the guesswork out of what to include, and don’t forget to read your lease thoroughly so that you know exactly what you need to do.