Have you decided to move out of your rental property? Maybe you found a rental property in a new city that better suits your needs. Perhaps you want to buy your own home, or you’ve been offered a job in another state. Whatever the reason for moving, you need to write a tenant-to-landlord 30-day notice letter.
But do you really have to give a full month’s notice? Why is this so important, and what do you say in such a letter? These are the questions that many renters ask themselves ahead of moving out. Read on to discover the answers, along with a practical tenant-to-landlord 30-day notice letter.
What Is a 30-Day Notice Letter?
Before we get into the details and legalities surrounding a 30-day notice period, let’s cover what a 30-day notice letter is.
A tenant-to-landlord 30-day notice letter is what the resident of a rental property writes and sends to their property manager ahead of moving out. As the name suggests, this is done at least 30 days before the moving-out process commences.
You are not required to write such a letter if your landlord has informed you that they are terminating the lease, or has started eviction proceedings. If you have received a notice to vacate, you must abide by the move-out date in that 30-day notice from the landlord to the tenant.
This letter is meant to inform them that you are terminating your residency at the rental unit. It is especially important if you are ending your lease early. However, even if you are moving out because your lease is ending, you are still required to give notice.
You may have a good landlord-tenant relationship, and be tempted to simply give them verbal notice, but this does not meet legal requirements. Even if you have given verbal notice, follow it up with a formal 30-day notice letter to your landlord. It will save you from potential disputes later.
How Much Notice Does the Law Require?
Residents are typically required to give property managers 30 days' notice that they intend to move out of a rented property.
The notice should be a formal letter and include the move-out date, and it should be delivered to the property manager or homeowner (if no manager is used) a minimum of 30 days before the move-out day. This gives the homeowner or property manager time to advertise the property to other prospective tenants.
However, the period of notice and other obligations on the part of the resident can vary from state to state. In some cases, the notice period may differ for a month-to-month lease as opposed to a 12-month or longer lease. Your lease may also contain a clause regarding the matter.
Typically, a 12-month lease expires at the end of the lease term unless you sign a renewal of the lease. Month-to-month tenancies typically renew automatically in the absence of notice to vacate from the homeowner or property manager, or a 30-day notice from tenant to landlord.
Always check your lease, as well as local laws and state laws on issues around property rental and lease termination/notice before proceeding with a move. A longer notice period may be required in some areas. Find out how much notice the law requires and act accordingly.
Why You Should Give Your Property Manager 30 Days Notice
A 30-day notice from tenant to landlord has become the norm, but why is it so important? There are several reasons why you should give your property manager 30 days' notice.
The first, and most obvious reason, is that it gives them time to find a new tenant. Anyone interested in the property can then give their property manager 30 days' notice. It just makes everything easier for all concerned.
Another good reason to give 30 days' notice, or more if possible, is that you will remain in good standing with your property manager. You may well need them to be a reference for your new landlord. Failure to provide 30 days’ notice could mean a sullied tenant reputation.
Lastly, there’s a lot that needs to be done during those 30 days. If the property has sustained any damages during your stay, they will need to be addressed ahead of move-out day. The move-out inspection must be arranged, too.
How to Give Your 30 Days Notice to the Property Manager
Don’t stress about how to give your property manager 30 days' notice. Here is a breakdown of the steps you’ll need to follow.
1. Pick the Move-Out Day
Pick the day that you will be moving out. You need enough time to find a new home, and it can take a long time to find the perfect rental property. If you already have a new address arranged, you still need to give your property manager proper notice and enough time to find a new renter.
If you are still looking for a new property, be realistic about the time this will take. The last thing you need is to find yourself homeless after the notice period runs out. The property manager will likely have found a new resident and entered into a new rental agreement during that time.
2. Review Current Lease Agreement
Next, review your current lease agreement. Check when your lease expires, and what your property manager expects from you should you wish to move out before it does.
It’s common for people to sign lease agreements without taking note of clauses surrounding moving out. They are so eager to move in, that they don’t read the fine print. If your property manager needs a longer notice period, it’s best to find out now before you proceed.
If you see that there is such a clause in your lease terms, and it conflicts with your intention to move out in a month, contact your property agent. Although you are bound by the terms of the lease, you may yet come to a compromise with them.
3. Write Your 30-Day Notice
If you’re happy with the move-out day you’ve picked, and it gives the property manager enough notice as per your lease agreement, it’s time to start writing. Write your tenant-to-landlord 30-day notice letter in a more formal or business style of language. Avoid slang and vague terminology.
As long as it’s a formal written notice, you are meeting your obligations. But this does not have to be a handwritten lease termination letter - a typed letter is fine. Include the date, the intended move-out date, and your forwarding address.
Legal requirements for a tenant to landlord 30-day notice are that it must be signed. This proves that you, as the resident in whose name the lease was signed, are giving notice. The 30-day notice letter should not be signed by someone on your behalf.
4. Send Your 30-Day Written Notice
Once you’ve read through your 30-day notice letter, and checked that it contains all pertinent info, it’s time to send it. How you do this is up to you. You may choose to email it, have it sent through certified mail or a courier, or deliver it in person.
Your method of sending the written notice will largely depend on your unique circumstances. If you’re renting directly from the homeowner and they live in the vicinity, you might prefer to hand deliver it. Your lease may also contain instructions on how to deliver a 30-day notice letter.
However you choose to send it, remember to sign it before sending it, and inform your property manager that you need them to confirm receipt.
5. Pay the Final Month's Rent
You are still required to pay rent for the 30-day notice period. Even if you move out ahead of the end of that period, you will be held liable for that final month’s rent. No part payment will be accepted, either. If you leave a few days into the month, the entire month’s rent is still due.
Early termination of your tenancy without notice and withholding the rent are violations of your lease agreement. You could lose your deposit, or worse, be sued. Avoid a trip to the small claims court, and pay your final month’s rent in full. This will keep your rental history record blemish-free.
What to Include in Your 30-Day Notice Letter
So, what do you need to include in your 30-day notice letter?
Move-Out Day
The most important information to include is your intended move-out date. Don’t take it for granted that your property manager knows when you are moving. Despite a 30-day notice, you may be intending to move before 30 days have elapsed. If that is the case, they need to be informed.
Security Deposit
You will have paid a security deposit when you took up residency. In 24 states plus Washington DC, the law requires that the deposit be placed in an escrow account. Interest must be paid out on that security deposit in 16 states plus Washington DC.
Check your state’s laws to determine what is due to you. Include details in your notice to your landlord about how you want your security deposit to be paid to you. Most leases include details about this too, so check your rental agreement.
30-Day Notice Letter Template
Use this template as a guide for composing your 30-day notice from tenant to landlord letter. Keep a copy for your records.
30-DAY NOTICE FROM TENANT TO LANDLORD
Date: (Today’s date)
To: (Homeowner’s full name and address, or property manager’s full name and business address)
From: (Your full name and current address)
30-Day Notice
Dear (Homeowner or Property Manager’s name)
You are hereby notified of my/our intention to terminate my/our rental lease early and vacate the premises of (the rental property address, including house or apartment number, street name, city, zip code, and state) on the (intended move-out date).
I am/we are providing you with a 30-day notice as per the lease requirements and local laws.
My/our forwarding address is as follows:
(new address, or interim address if applicable, including city name, state, and zip code)
Please send the refunded security deposit to the address above, within (maximum allowed by terms of lease and state laws) days. You may contact me at (email address or mobile number) to arrange a convenient date and time for a final inspection, as well as the return of the property’s keys.
Kindly contact me as soon as possible to confirm receipt of this letter, and to finalize any other necessary arrangements or request further information.
Sincerely,
(your name)
(your signature)
You may use the above template to write a notice to your landlord, changing the wording to suit your specific situation.
How to Get Your Full Security Deposit Back
Even if you’re writing a tenant-to-landlord letter, it might not be too late to protect your security deposit.
We recommend fully documenting the condition of your space before handing over the keys so you have timestamped, documented proof of how you left it, just in case something comes up.
If you’re moving to a new rental, you should absolutely use RentCheck to capture the condition of everything at move-in and share the PDF with your property manager. This helps ensure you aren’t liable for the previous existing damage and can ensure you receive 100% of your deposit back later.
Leave the Move-Out Inspection to RentCheck
Are you a resident planning to move out of your rental property? Writing a formal tenant-to-landlord 30-day notice letter ensures a clear understanding between the resident and the property manager.
RentCheck allows property managers to automate the inspection process so residents can conduct their inspections. This simplifies the whole move-out process with a smooth transition for all the parties involved.
But renters can use it too!
Sign up for free and you’ll find all you need to enjoy hassle-free move-in and move-out documentation to protect your security deposit.
