Notice to Vacate—Here’s What You Need to Know

When it comes to a notice to vacate, be sure that you are well-versed in what it is and how to write one. This article will show you how!

When it comes to needing a tenant to vacate the premises, it can be difficult to know when to submit an official note to leave. Fortunately, we’ve put together an overview to help guide you through the process.

Below, you’ll discover what a notice to vacate is and what you should include in your letter.

What is a Notice to Vacate

A notice to vacate is a letter given by the landlord to a tenant asking them to leave the premises by a certain date. Typically, the notice provides specific reasons why there is a request to leave the rental property.

There may be a variety of reasons a landlord gives a tenant a notice to vacate.

  • End of lease
  • Failure to pay rent
  • Violation of lease contract

Importantly, the notice must be for reasons that do not violate the HUD’s Fair Housing Laws.

How to Write a Notice to Vacate

When it comes to writing a request for the tenant to leave your property, you’ll want to include the following information:

  • Why you’re giving the notice
  • Expected move-out date
  • How the tenant can fix the issue (if they are in violation of lease terms, for example)
  • What happens if the tenant doesn’t comply

Note: Notice to vacate laws and regulations will vary depending on local, state, and federal laws. Accordingly, ensure that you’re well-versed in the landlord-tenant laws of your area. Seek professional advice if you have any questions.

What Happens After 30-day Notice to Vacate

After a notice to vacate is given, there are several actions that might be taken:

  • Tenant agrees to move out on the posted date
  • Tenant rectifies the issue and informs the landlord
  • Tenant fails to leave premises by the outlined date and time

Consequently, what happens after a 30-day notice to vacate is dependent upon how the landlord and tenant handle the situation. For example, if a tenant fails to leave by the designated date and time, a landlord may then move to an eviction notice and proceed accordingly.

However, the tenant and landlord may be able to reach an agreement on how to move forward and address any lease violations or non-compliance.

Conclusion

Typically, a vacate notice informs the tenant that their landlord is requesting them to move out by a certain date and why they’re being asked to leave. This can be due to a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to, non-renewal of lease, lease violations, and even selling the property.

Additionally, notices to vacate often have to follow certain guidelines and procedures, so be sure that you’re following any landlord-tenant laws in your area.