How to Send the Perfect 30 Day Notice to Your Landlord

If you've found a new place to live and are preparing to move out of your current apartment, one of the first steps you want to take is making sure you provide your landlord with the proper notice before moving out. The same way a landlord must provide an eviction notice before evicting a tenant, a tenant must provide their landlord with their intent to leave with sufficient time to prepare. In most cases, you can provide your landlord with a 30 day notice to vacate.

How far in advance do I need to provide notice before moving out?

When the time comes for you to move out of your apartment, you must provide proper notice. If you fail to do so, there is a chance you may be held liable for continued payment of rent.

In order to determine just how much advance notice you need to provide your landlord when moving, refer to your lease agreement. Most leases will detail the proper process for moving out both at the end of the lease, and before the contracted end date. It is more common for landlords to require a notice of 30 or 60 days, but both longer and shorter periods are possible.

If your lease will not end for some time, speak with your landlord. Some landlords allow you to end your lease early, as long as you provide the proper notice anyway. On the other hand, some landlords may require you to pay an early termination fee in addition to the 30-day notice if you wish to move out before lease end. Your lease will likely have a section regarding early termination and any associated fees for you to read over to prepare yourself.

If you're unsure of the right steps to take, talk to your landlord about your situation as soon as you can. The more time you give your landlord to find a new tenant to replace you, the more likely they are to allow you out of the lease hassle free.

How do I inform my landlord I am intending to move out?

When it comes to rental property, you want to make sure you do everything by the books and leave a paper trail to back your actions up. It's not enough to just tell your landlord you're planning on moving out and move on with your life. A proper 30 Day notice includes a written notice to vacate or lease termination letter.

A notice to vacate letter contains important information such as your intended move-out day, the day you notified your landlord, and how your landlord should return your security deposit.

How should I provide my notice to my landlord?

As we've tried to drive home, it's important to provide written notice to make sure you have documented proof of your actions. Some leases contain a section with information on how you should send this notice.

If your lease does not stipulate the how, send your landlord both an electronic and paper copy. Emailing a copy will automatically record the date and time of sending. You may hand your landlord the physical copy or send it to them in the mail with a requested Proof of Delivery or Signature Confirmation.

Regardless of how you send your notice, the most important thing is that you keep a copy for your records.

Do I have to pay full rent for the month I move out?

This depends both on the terms of your lease, as well as local and state laws. In some cases, landlords will offer prorated rent, which means they will calculate your rent based on the actual number of days you'll be residing in your unit until your move-out date.

Read over your lease agreement and talk to your landlord to see if prorated rent is an option available to you.

Steps to Giving Your 30 Days Notice to Landlord

If you plan on moving out of your rental unit, here are the steps you need to take to make the process smoother:

Step 1: Choose Your Move Out Day

Usually, your move-out date will be the day your lease expires or a few days in advance. Remember that your notice must be delivered to your landlord at minimum 30 days before the day you move out. You are, of course, free to move out more than a month before the end of your lease, but chances are you will be required to pay an early termination fee in this case.

Step 2: Check Your Current Lease

Read over your current lease for any information about the following:

1. Lease termination procedures and requirements
2. Potential fees for early termination
3. How your landlord prefers to be notified

It's a wise move to verify the notice period requirement in your lease as soon as you know you're moving so you have ample time to send the notice. Some leases may require you to provide notice beyond 30 days.

Step 3: Write a Notice to Inform Your Landlord of Your Intention to Vacate

Your 30 days notice letter needs to be provided in written form so that both you and your landlord have documented proof of the agreed upon move-out date and conditions.

Here's what you should include in your moving out notice letter:

1. The current date
2. The landlord's name and address
3. Your name and current rental address
4. A statement of your intention to terminate the lease and vacate the premises
5. Your intended move-out date
6. A statement verifying that you are providing this notice 30 days prior to your move-out date, as per the lease agreement
7. Your new mailing/forwarding address
8. The date by which your landlord must send you your security deposit
9. Your contact information
10. Your signature

Email is the smartest choice, as it automatically records the time and date of delivery, but you can also physically mail your landlord a paper copy. The best option is to do both: hand a physical copy directly to your landlord at the leasing office and email a digital copy to them the same day. Keep a copy of the notice for your records as well, and follow up with your landlord for further instructions regarding moving out.

Step 4: Pay Your Last Month's Rent

Once you've delivered your 30 day notice, it's time to pay rent for your final month of residency in the property. This payment could be your usual full month's rent or it may be a prorated amount. Discuss with your landlord prior to payment to figure out whether or not the rent will be prorated.

Step 5: Forward Your New Address As Soon As Possible

Send your landlord a forwarding address as soon as possible so that they are able to return your refunded security deposit to you. If you do not have a new address lined up before sending your 30 day notice, make sure to provide it to your landlord the instant you have one.

Keep in mind that some states have laws that require tenants to provide a forwarding address within a certain number of days after the lease ends. If you fail to do so, there is a chance that the landlord won't have to refund your deposit at all. Ask your landlord the maximum time you have to send your new address, or research local tenant law in your area for a concrete time frame.

What happens if you don't give a 30-day notice?

Failing to provide a proper 30-Day notice to your landlord usually leads to financial penalties, especially if it's clearly stated in your lease. These penalties can take the form of:

1. Extra Rent: You might be responsible for additional monthly rent payments until the landlord is able to replace you with a new tenant.
2. Reduced Security Deposit: Your landlord might deduct money to cover the remaining lease or 30-day period before returning your security deposit.
3. Legal Action: In extreme cases, your landlord might pursue legal action against you for breaking the lease agreement.

For month-to-month leases, the penalties and fees are usually less severe, potentially just a single extra month's rent. For fixed-term leases, however, you might be required to make additional rent payments until a new tenant is found, and your landlord could be within their rights to withhold your entire security deposit as a penalty

If you know in advance that you can't provide a full 30-days' notice, talk to your landlord as soon as possible. Explain the specifics of your situation and see if they're willing to work with you on a solution. Timing may be right that giving a shorter notice still works out for them. It all depends on the rental property and its rules and obligations.

30-day notice to landlord: FAQs

Can my landlord refuse to accept my notice?

No. As long as you've followed the move out steps outlined in your rental agreement, your landlord cannot refuse to accept your notice.

What if I can't move out by the date I provided in my notice?

Unexpected situations can arise. New jobs can be delayed, and family emergencies can happen. If your move-out date needs to change, reach out to your landlord ASAP to discuss your options and avoid potential penalties.

What if my landlord doesn't respond to my notice?

If your landlord doesn't respond to your properly delivered notice, you should document your attempts to provide notice and proceed with your relocation plans as scheduled.

The Bottom Line

Moving out doesn't have to create bad blood between you and your landlord. When handled correctly by giving proper notice, you'll have one less thing to worry about on your actual moving day. You'll also retain a positive referral for your next home.