Month-to-month tenancies (US)
Commonly 30 days, with some states and cities requiring 60 or 90 days for longer tenancies.
Resources · Templates
Notice to vacate templates: written notice and move-out letters
A notice to vacate is a written letter that tells the other party a tenancy will end on a specific date. Below are three free templates you can copy: a tenant's notice to vacate, a landlord's notice of non-renewal, and a move-out instructions letter. Check your lease and local law for the required notice period and delivery method before sending.
Notice to vacate & move-out letter templates
Notice to vacate & move-out letter templates
- TenantJ. Alvarez
- Unit4B
- NoticeReceived
- Move-outIn 30 days
SignedReady to send
What should a notice to vacate include?
A notice to vacate should include the notice date, all tenants' names, the landlord or manager, the property address and unit, the tenancy end and move-out date, the lease or notice period, a forwarding address for the deposit return and signatures, plus any legal basis required.
Notice periods vary. Month-to-month tenancies in many US states require 30 days' notice, but some require 60 or more for long tenancies or for landlords; fixed-term leases may require notice before the end date to avoid automatic renewal. In England, notice rules are changing under the Renters' Rights Act. See our state law library and the guide on how to write a notice to vacate in Texas. This page is not legal advice.
Template 1: tenant notice to vacate
[Date]
To: [Landlord or property manager name]
[Management company]
[Address]
Re: Notice to vacate, [Property address, unit number]
Dear [Landlord or manager name],
Please accept this letter as my/our written notice that I/we will vacate the property at [property address, unit] on [move-out date]. This notice is given in accordance with the lease dated [lease date], which requires [number] days' written notice.
I/we will return all keys, access cards and remotes on or before the move-out date and will leave the property clean and in good condition, except for normal wear and tear.
Please return the security deposit, with any itemised deductions, to the following forwarding address:
[Forwarding address]
I/we would like to arrange a move-out inspection. Please contact me/us at [phone] or [email] to schedule a time.
Sincerely,
[Tenant name(s)]
[Signature(s)]
How should a notice to vacate be delivered?
Use the delivery method your lease and local law require. Common methods are personal delivery, first-class or certified mail, and, where permitted, email or the tenant portal. Keep proof: a signed acknowledgement, a mailing receipt or a time-stamped portal record. If the notice period is counted from receipt, allow extra days for mail.
Template 2: landlord notice of non-renewal
[Date]
To: [Tenant name(s)]
[Property address, unit]
Re: Notice of non-renewal of lease
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal notice that your lease for [property address, unit], which ends on [lease end date], will not be renewed. You are required to vacate the property and return possession on or before [move-out date].
This notice is provided [number] days before the lease end date, as required by your lease and applicable law. [Include any reason or statutory statement required in your jurisdiction.]
Before you leave, please:
- Schedule a move-out inspection by contacting [name] at [phone/email].
- Return all keys, access cards and remotes.
- Provide a forwarding address for your security deposit.
Your security deposit, less any lawful deductions, will be returned within the period required by law, with an itemised statement.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or manager name]
[Company]
[Contact details]
Compare
Notice to vacate vs eviction notice vs non-renewal
| Notice | Who gives it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to vacate | Tenant or landlord | Ends a tenancy on a date |
| Non-renewal notice | Landlord | Declines to renew a fixed term |
| Notice to pay or quit | Landlord | Demands payment before eviction can start |
| Notice to cure | Landlord | Requires a lease breach to be fixed |
| Eviction filing | Landlord, via court | Legal process for possession |
Template 3: move-out instructions letter
[Date]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
Thank you for letting us know you will be moving out of [property address, unit] on [move-out date]. To make the process smooth:
1. Move-out inspection: we will inspect the unit on [date/time]. You are welcome to attend.
2. Cleaning: please clean all rooms, appliances and fixtures. A checklist is attached.
3. Utilities: arrange final readings and transfers effective [date].
4. Keys: return all keys, fobs and remotes to [location] by [time] on [date].
5. Forwarding address: reply with your forwarding address for the deposit return.
6. Final balance: any outstanding charges will appear on your final statement.
Your deposit will be returned within [number] days of move-out, as required by [state/law], with an itemised list of any deductions.
If you have questions, contact [name] at [phone/email].
Kind regards,
[Manager name]
[Company]
How it works
How does RIOO handle notices and move-outs?
RIOO handles notices and move-outs by recording the notice date, move-out date and document on the lease, then creating move-out tasks, scheduling the inspection, marketing the unit, itemising deductions and tracking the deposit return deadline, so each step follows from the notice.
- 01
Record the notice
The notice date, move-out date and document are stored on the lease.
- 02
Trigger the move-out workflow
Inspection, key return, final meter readings and the turn are scheduled.
- 03
Track the deposit deadline
The return deadline for the property's state is calculated and tasked.
- 04
Settle the ledger
Deductions and final charges post to the tenant ledger with inspection evidence.
What is a notice to vacate?
A notice to vacate is written notice that a tenancy will end on a specific date. A tenant gives it to say they are moving out; a landlord gives it to end a periodic tenancy, decline renewal or, in other circumstances, start the legal process for possession. The notice period and delivery rules depend on the lease and local law.
Use cases
How much notice is usually required?
How much notice is required depends on the tenancy and location. Month-to-month tenancies in the US commonly need 30 days, with some states and cities requiring more; fixed terms often need notice before the end date; UK and Australian rules differ again. Check local law.
These are typical ranges, not legal advice. Confirm the requirement for each property.
Fixed-term leases
Often no notice is needed at the end of the term unless the lease or law requires it, but many leases ask for 30 to 60 days.
Week-to-week tenancies
Often seven days.
Commercial leases
Set by the lease, frequently three to twelve months for renewal or break options.
Outside the US
The UK, Australia and the UAE set their own periods by statute; check the country hub.
How it works
What happens after a notice is received?
After a notice is received, record the notice date, method and move-out date on the lease, confirm receipt to the tenant, schedule the pre-move-out and move-out inspections, start marketing the unit, and diarise the deposit return deadline from the move-out date.
- 01
Record the notice date, method and move-out date on the lease.
- 02
Confirm receipt to the tenant in writing.
- 03
Send move-out instructions, including cleaning standards and key return.
- 04
Schedule a pre-move-out inspection if your market allows or requires it.
- 05
Mark the unit as available for pre-leasing.
- 06
After move-out, inspect, itemise deductions and return the deposit within the legal deadline.
Checklist
Common mistakes with notices
- Giving less notice than the lease or local law requires.
- Calculating the end date from the wrong start, such as the sent date instead of the received date.
- Delivering by a method the lease or statute does not allow.
- Omitting the property address, unit or tenant names.
- Not keeping proof of delivery.
- Missing the deposit return deadline after move-out.
When should you NOT use these templates?
Do not use these templates as an eviction notice or a notice for non-payment, or in rent-controlled or just-cause jurisdictions without checking local requirements, because those notices often need specific statutory wording. They are for ordinary tenancy endings by agreement or at term end.
Which details make a notice enforceable?
A notice is easiest to rely on when it names every tenant on the lease, gives the full property address and unit, states the exact move-out date, refers to the lease or statute it relies on, is signed and dated, and is delivered by a permitted method with proof. Missing any of these can invalidate it or start a dispute.
Talk to a specialist
See notice to vacate & move-out letter templates on your own portfolio.
Check your lease and local law for the required notice period and delivery method before sending.
How much notice do I need to give to vacate?
It depends on your lease and local law. Many US month-to-month tenancies require 30 days, but some states require longer notice for long tenancies or for landlords. Fixed-term leases may require notice before the end date. Check your lease and local rules first.
Can I send a notice to vacate by email?
Only if your lease or local law allows electronic notice. Many leases require written notice delivered by hand or mail. If email is allowed, keep a copy and confirmation of receipt, and consider sending a paper copy as well so the notice date cannot be disputed later.
Does a notice to vacate need to be signed?
Yes. A signature from every tenant on the lease is best practice, and some leases require it. A signed notice avoids disputes about whether all tenants agreed to end the tenancy, and it gives you clear evidence of the notice date and the agreed move-out date.
Is a notice to vacate the same as an eviction notice?
No. A notice to vacate ends a tenancy by agreement or at the end of a term. An eviction notice, such as a pay-or-quit notice, starts a legal process because of a breach, and it has strict legal requirements for wording, timing and delivery.
Can a landlord refuse a tenant's notice to vacate?
A landlord cannot usually refuse proper notice, but if the tenant leaves before a fixed term ends, the lease may allow the landlord to charge rent until the unit is re-let or the term ends, subject to local law on mitigation.
Can a notice to vacate be sent by email?
Only if the lease or local law allows electronic notice. Otherwise use the delivery methods the lease specifies, such as hand delivery or mail. Whichever method you use, record the date sent and keep proof of delivery, because notice periods usually run from the date of receipt.
Can a tenant withdraw a notice to vacate?
A tenant can usually withdraw a notice to vacate only with the landlord's agreement, unless local law says otherwise. If you agree, record the withdrawal in writing, update the lease and cancel move-out tasks, especially if the unit has already been offered to a new tenant.
Does RIOO store notices on the lease?
Yes. RIOO records each notice on the lease with its date, method and move-out date, and attaches the document. Move-out tasks, inspection scheduling and deposit return deadlines then follow from those dates, so nothing depends on someone remembering a letter in a filing cabinet.
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