There comes a time in every rental agreement when you want to move out. Whether you’re moving across the country, buying your first home, or simply looking for more space, you’ll still need to follow a few steps before your lease ends. And sending your written notice to vacate letter is one of those steps.
Outlined below are all the essential details you need to know about writing your notice to vacate letter, including why it’s important and what it needs to include. From protecting your security deposit to keeping a good relationship with your landlord, we’ve got tips and tricks to keep your move-out easy. Plus, we’ve provided a simple template to make things even easier for you to check this off your to-do list.
What is a notice to vacate letter?
A notice to vacate letter (aka lease termination letter) is a formal letter a tenant writes to their landlord or property manager to end their lease agreement. It’s an important legal document that protects the tenant and serves as proof they sent their notice within the required time frame. It also gives the landlord ample notice and enough time to find a new tenant or make other plans for their rental property.
The tenant should include their contact information, intent to end the lease, and the date they wish to vacate. In most cases, a landlord or property managers require a notice to vacate letter from their departing tenants. But even when not needed, it’s a good idea to send one anyways.
Is a notice to vacate letter the same as an eviction notice?
Confusingly, an eviction notice is sometimes called a “notice to vacate.” But generally, a notice to vacate letter is sent from a tenant to a landlord, whereas a landlord can send an eviction notice to a tenant if they violate the terms of the lease agreement.
A landlord can also send a “no-cause notice to vacate letter” to a tenant. This is not a credit-destroying eviction notice, though it can also be called a “no-cause…