A lease termination letter tells your landlord in writing that you’re ending the lease and moving out.
Include your name, rental address, move-out date, and a clear request to end the agreement.
Use our free templates for tenants and landlords, then keep a dated copy for your records.
When it’s time to move out of your rental, you probably have questions about writing a lease termination letter. We cover what to include, how much notice to give, and how to send it, and we provide free templates for tenants and landlords.
Quick Answer
A lease termination letter is a written notice you send your landlord to let them know you’re ending your lease and moving out. It’s different from an eviction notice, which comes from a landlord, not a tenant. Your letter should include your name, the property address, your planned move-out date, and the notice period your lease requires. Review your lease first to confirm your notice period and delivery method, then use the template below to write yours. Landlords send their own version to end or not renew a lease, and we cover that near the end of this guide.
What is a lease termination letter from tenant?
A lease termination letter is a written notice that lets a landlord know a tenant plans to end the lease and move out. When a tenant wants to end their lease, they must give their landlord official notice. Other names for this letter include a notice to vacate and a notice to quit.
A lease termination letter is different from an eviction notice. A landlord issues an eviction notice when they want to evict a tenant for breaking lease terms.
Tenants provide lease termination letters, and they are often used when both the tenant and landlord have followed the lease terms.
How do I write a lease termination letter?
To write a lease termination letter, follow these steps to draft and deliver a letter that meets your lease agreement’s requirements.
1. Review your lease
Before you start writing, you need to review your lease. First, check whether your lease is month-to-month or a fixed term. Most landlords have different termination requirements for these two lease types.
For month-to-month leases, landlords generally specify a notice period tenants must provide before moving out. If your lease does not include this information, refer to your state statutes regarding this required notice. In many states, tenants must provide their landlord with 30 days’ notice before terminating their lease.
If you want to end a fixed-term lease before the rental period ends, you’ll need to read your lease carefully. Some landlords will allow you to vacate early, as long as you provide proper notice. If the lease doesn’t mention early termination, it’s worth talking to your landlord.
Another thing to check is whether or not your lease will automatically renew at the end of a fixed term. Even if your lease has a set end date, you may still need to give advance notice that you plan to terminate it once your rental period ends.
2. Write the letter
Once you know when you can end your lease, write the lease termination letter. Include your name, the date, your rental property’s address, and the required notice period outlined in your lease or by state law.
3. Provide the letter to your landlord
After you’ve written the letter and confirmed the information is accurate, deliver it to your landlord or property manager. Don’t forget to deliver the letter so you provide your landlord with proper notice. If you don’t, you will be violating your lease terms and may face legal repercussions.
Your lease may require you to mail a copy or hand your landlord one. If your lease doesn’t specify how to deliver the notice, provide both an electronic and paper copy.
No matter how you send the notice, keep a copy for your records.
A tenant’s real termination situation
Consider a tenant like Jasmine, renting a one-bedroom apartment on a month-to-month lease in North Carolina, a common scenario, not a specific customer. A new job offer meant she needed to relocate within six weeks.
Jasmine pulled her lease first and found it required 30 days’ written notice, delivered either by mail or through her landlord’s tenant portal. She wrote her letter using the template below, sent it through the portal to create a timestamped record, and kept a screenshot for herself. Because she gave notice right away instead of waiting to confirm her start date, her 30 days lined up cleanly with her move, and she avoided owing an extra month’s rent.
Lease Termination Letter from Tenant Sample
Follow this template to craft a letter for your landlord.
[Today’s date]
[Your name]
[Your address]
Dear [Landlord’s name],
I wish to inform you that I will be terminating my lease on [date you plan to terminate]. This letter provides the necessary notice of [required notice] as outlined in the lease.
I will move out my belongings and return my keys to [address of property management office] by [date you plan to terminate].
Please mail my security deposit to [your new address] by [period of time your landlord has to return the deposit as outlined in your lease].
Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your signature]
Download the free lease termination letter templates, including the standard letter, early termination letter, email version, and landlord non-renewal letter.
Lease Termination Notice Periods by State
Your lease sets your notice period first. State law fills the gap when your lease is silent or you’re on a month-to-month tenancy. The table shows what a tenant must give to end a month-to-month tenancy in ten of the most-searched states, checked against each state’s law on October 5, 2026.
Fixed-term leases follow the lease, and some cities add their own rules.
State | Tenant notice for a month-to-month tenancy | Law | Our state guide |
|---|---|---|---|
California | 30 days’ written notice. The 60-day rule for tenancies over a year applies to landlords, not tenants. | ||
Texas | One month. The tenancy ends on the later of your move-out date or one month after notice, unless your lease sets a different period. | ||
Florida | At least 30 days before the end of a monthly rental period. | ||
New York | Outside New York City, at least one month before the end of the rental period. New York City has its own rule under § 232-a. | ||
Georgia | 30 days from the tenant. Landlords must give 60. | ||
Pennsylvania | No statute sets a tenant’s notice period for a month-to-month tenancy. The statute (68 P.S. § 250.501) covers landlord notices to quit, so follow your lease. | 68 P.S. § 250.501 | |
Ohio | At least 30 days before the periodic rental date. | ||
Illinois | Usually one full rental period. For a month-to-month tenancy, give notice before the last month starts. Local rules can differ. | ||
Virginia | At least 30 days before the next rent due date, unless your lease sets a different period. | ||
Washington | At least 20 days before the end of the rental period. |
Two details trip people up. In Florida, Ohio and Virginia, the clock ties to your rent cycle, so notice given mid-cycle can push your move-out date to the next one. And a lease can ask for more than the statute does. A 60-day clause in a Texas lease wins over the one-month default.
Early Lease Termination Letter Sample
If you’re leaving a fixed-term lease early, a standard letter isn’t enough. First, check your lease for an early termination clause. Many leases allow it for a fee or extra notice, and some situations carry legal protections regardless of what your lease says, such as active military orders.
[Today’s date]
[Your name]
[Your address]
Dear [Landlord’s name],
I am writing to request early termination of my lease for [property address], which is currently set to end on [original lease end date]. I plan to move out on [move-out date].
As outlined in section [lease section] of our lease, I am giving [required notice] of notice and will pay [early termination fee, if any] by [date]. My reason for leaving is [brief reason, if your lease or state law requires one].
Please confirm the move-out date, the final inspection and the security deposit return in writing. I will return the keys to [address] on [date]. My forwarding address is [new address].
Thank you,
[Your name]
[Your signature]
Name the clause you’re relying on and the exact date. If your lease has no early termination clause, you can still ask, and offering to help show the unit to a replacement tenant gives your landlord a reason to say yes.
Lease Termination Email Sample
Email works only if your lease allows electronic notice or your landlord has agreed in writing to accept it. If so, keep the message short and attach your signed letter as a PDF.
Subject: Notice to terminate lease at [property address]
Dear [Landlord’s name],
Please accept this email as written notice that I will end my lease at [property address] on [move-out date]. This gives you [required notice] of notice, as required by my lease.
My signed letter is attached. Please reply to confirm you received it. My forwarding address for the security deposit is [new address].
Thank you,
[Your name]
[Phone number]
Save the sent email and any reply. A reply from your landlord is the best proof that the notice was delivered.
If You’re a Landlord Ending a Lease
Landlords end tenancies too. When a lease is simply ending and you don’t plan to renew, or you’re ending a month-to-month tenancy with no fault on the tenant’s side, you send a termination or non-renewal letter. It isn’t an eviction notice. Evictions are for unpaid rent or lease violations and follow a stricter, court-linked process, which our guide on how to evict a tenant walks through.
Landlords generally owe more notice than tenants. In Georgia, landlords must give 60 days while tenants give 30. In California, a landlord ending a tenancy of a year or more gives 60 days while a tenant gives 30. Some states and cities also require a stated legal reason to end a tenancy, as California does once a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months. Check your state’s rules before you send anything.
Your letter should include:
The tenant’s name and the property address
The termination date and the notice period you’re giving
The lease it refers to, and the reason if your state requires one
Move-out and key return instructions
How and when you’ll return the deposit, as covered in our security deposit return letter guide
A request for the tenant’s forwarding address
[Date]
[Tenant name(s)]
[Rental property address]
Re: Notice of lease termination
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal notice that your lease for [property address], signed on [lease start date], will end on [termination date] and will not be renewed. This notice is given at least [number] days before that date, as required by your lease and [state] law.
[If your state requires a reason, state it here.]
Please remove all belongings and return all keys to [address] by [termination date]. The unit will be inspected on [date]. Your security deposit, less any lawful deductions, will be returned to your forwarding address within [number] days, as required by [state] law. Please send your forwarding address in writing.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
[Signature]
RentRedi’s lease renewal reminders help landlords meet state-required notice timelines, so a non-renewal letter goes out before the deadline instead of after it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Terminating a Lease
Assuming one notice period applies everywhere
Notice requirements vary by state and by lease. Washington asks tenants for 20 days, many states ask for 30, and Texas and New York ask for a full month. Don’t assume the 30-day figure you’ve heard applies to your situation without checking your own lease first.
Giving notice verbally only
Telling your landlord in person or over the phone feels simple, but it leaves no record if a dispute comes up later over your move-out date or deposit return. Always follow up a verbal conversation with a written letter, even if your landlord seems fine with the verbal heads-up.
Confusing a termination letter with an eviction notice
A lease termination letter is something you send, on your own terms. An eviction notice is something a landlord sends you, usually over unpaid rent or a lease violation. Using the wrong term, or expecting the wrong process, can cause real confusion for both sides.
Not checking your lease’s delivery rules
Some leases specify exactly how notice must be delivered: certified mail, a specific email address, or a portal inside a property management app. Sending your notice the “normal” way when your lease requires something specific can mean your notice doesn’t legally count, even if your landlord saw it.
Once you’ve reviewed your lease and confirmed your notice period, writing the letter itself is the easy part, and the templates above cover what you need. The mistakes above are almost all about timing and delivery, not the letter’s content. Landlords have their own notice rules, so check your state before sending. Here’s what tenants and landlords ask about most.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a lease termination letter and an eviction notice?
A lease termination letter comes from you, the tenant, letting your landlord know you’re choosing to leave. An eviction notice comes from your landlord and starts a legal process to remove you, usually over unpaid rent or a lease violation. If you’re moving out on your own terms, you only need a termination letter.
How much notice do I need to give before terminating my lease?
It depends on your lease and your state. Many leases require 30 days for month-to-month tenancies. Washington asks tenants for 20 days, and Texas and New York ask for a full month. Check your lease first, then your state’s statutes if your lease doesn’t specify a period.
Can I send my lease termination letter by email?
Only if your lease allows electronic notice or your landlord has agreed to accept it that way in writing. Some leases require physical delivery or certified mail specifically. When you’re not sure, send both an email and a paper copy to be safe.
Do I need to give a reason for terminating my lease?
Usually not, if you’re simply not renewing or ending a month-to-month tenancy on schedule. If you’re ending a fixed-term lease early, your lease or state law may require a reason, such as a qualifying life event or a landlord violation. Check your lease’s early termination clause.
Can I break my lease early without a penalty?
Sometimes. Some leases include an early termination clause that lets you leave for a fee or with extra notice. Certain situations, like active military duty, domestic violence, or an uninhabitable unit, carry legal protections in many states regardless of what your lease says. Review your lease and your state’s tenant protections before assuming you’re stuck.
What happens if I don’t send a lease termination letter?
Your lease likely continues on its existing terms, meaning you stay responsible for rent, even after you’ve moved out. Landlords typically can’t act on a verbal heads-up alone. Sending written notice protects you from continued rent liability and keeps your rental history clean.
Does my landlord have to respond to my termination letter?
Not usually, and in most cases they don’t need to accept or approve it. Your notice is effective once you deliver it properly under your lease, not once your landlord acknowledges it. Keep your own delivery proof (a mailing receipt, a portal timestamp, or a read email) regardless.
The Bottom Line
A lease termination letter protects you when you’re ready to move out. Review your lease for your exact notice period and delivery method, put your notice in writing using the template above, and keep a copy for your records.
Next steps
Review your lease for your notice period and required delivery method before writing anything.
Fill out the template above and send it the way your lease specifies, then keep a dated copy.
Confirm your forwarding address is included so your security deposit isn’t delayed.
If your landlord manages your rental through a platform like RentRedi, you may be able to submit your notice and track your move-out details directly through the app instead of mailing a paper copy. Worth asking if you’re not sure.
Note: This content is not intended to substitute, replace, or be construed as professional legal advice. It is for reference purposes only. Please consult your legal counsel to ensure your lease complies with state and federal regulations.
Lease Termination Letter: Free Tenant & Landlord Templates
