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How Do I File a Notice to Vacate?
When a renter, or lessee, decides that he or she wishes to vacate the property, a notice to vacate should be sent to the landlord, or lessor. Many leases actually require a notice to vacate before the lease can legally be terminated. Before preparing and sending a notice to vacate to the lessor, a careful reading of the lease is required. The notice should then be prepared, in writing, and mailed to the lessor by certified or registered mail.
Although most lease agreements have a predetermined length, such as one year, it is common to include a provision that the lease will automatically renew or will continue on a month-by-month basis absent a notice to vacate by the lessee or a notice to terminate by the lessor. In other words, if the lease term is for one year, at the end of the year, the lease may automatically renew for another year or it may become a monthly lease. For this reason, a tenant who wishes to terminate the lease and vacate the property needs to affirmatively give notice to the landlord of his or her intention to do so.
When a lessee is considering moving from the leased premises, he or she should review the terms of the original lease agreement. Pay close attention to the provisions for terminating the lease upon expiration. Most lease agreements require that the lessee provide the notice at least 30 days before the lease ends. In addition, the 30 days may need to start at the beginning of a rental period, such as the beginning of the month if the rent is due then.
A notice to vacate should be in writing and signed by each lessee who signed the original lease agreement. The notice should give the exact date that the tenant intends to vacate the property as well as reference the portion of the lease that allows the lessee to terminate the lease upon proper notice. The notice to vacate should also provide a forwarding address for the lessor to mail any deposit funds due the lessee or a damage notice in event the landlord is claiming damages to the property. Once the notice is ready, a copy should be made for the lessee's records. The notice to vacate should then be sent certified or registered mail in order to have a record of what date the notice was actually mailed in the event there is a dispute.
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![A 30 day notice to vacate is usually posted on an apartment's door.]()
By: bagraphixA 30 day notice to vacate is usually posted on an apartment's door. -
![Most rental agreements require that the lessee provide notice to vacate at least 30 days before the lease ends.]()
By: andiafaithMost rental agreements require that the lessee provide notice to vacate at least 30 days before the lease ends. -
![A notice to vacate should give the exact date that the lessee plans to vacate the property.]()
By: Mikael DamkierA notice to vacate should give the exact date that the lessee plans to vacate the property. -
![A notice to vacate may be sent by certified or registered mail.]()
By: petert2A notice to vacate may be sent by certified or registered mail. -
![A notice to vacate serves as a formal legal notice to alert the landlord to the fact that a tenant is leaving.]()
By: Syda ProductionsA notice to vacate serves as a formal legal notice to alert the landlord to the fact that a tenant is leaving.
Discussion Comments
Here's a sample letter:
Via Certified Mail
(date)
Dear Landlord,
I plan to vacate (address) on (date). Please contact me at (phone) to schedule our final walk through and return of deposits.
Regards,
xx
@indemnifyme - It's always a good idea to carefully read over your lease before signing so you know exactly what it says!
I also think that sending the notice to vacate by certified mail is an excellent idea. I've had leasing offices and apartment management lose documents more than one time. In an instance like vacating an apartment where money is involved, I think it's better to be safe than sorry!
Whenever you move into a new place, you should review the portions of your lease that deal with vacating before you sign it. Some landlords and managers put some pretty ridiculous clauses in there.
For instance, if you need to vacate your rental before the lease is up, you may have to pay a sizable fee. Also, as the article stated, even if you are vacating at the end of your lease or if you are month to month, you will have give notice within a specified amount of time. Pay close attention to when you can give your notice to avoid being charged for an extra month!
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