When starting a new job, relationship, or simply looking for a change in surroundings, moving apartments is often necessary. Yet moving is a massive undertaking – from securing a new lease to furnishing the space, there are a myriad of tasks that must be taken care of. Amidst the chaos of moving, don’t forget the important task of writing an intent to vacate letter and delivering it to the landlord or property manager. This letter ensures your compliance with the lease agreement and can save you thousands of dollars and your reputation as a renter.
A notice to vacate letter is typically a written statement from the tenant of an apartment that informs the landlord or property manager of the tenant’s intent to move out of the apartment. Even if your lease has a specified end date, you need to provide formal notice to confirm you are vacating the property. This letter is typically sent between 30-90 days before the lease is over, and the letter gives the landlord or property manager permission to list your apartment for rent and find a new tenant. By writing this letter, you will help ensure the return of your security deposit and avoid costly fees or lawsuits being filed.
When moving out of an apartment, the lease agreement provides important information on how to vacate the space to ensure your security deposit is returned and no extra fees are incurred. Every lease agreement is slightly different, so it’s imperative to check your agreement to verify when the notice to vacate letter should be sent. Some leases require 90 day notice, while some only require 30 or 60 day notice. After validating in your agreement when the letter should be sent, make sure the letter is postmarked within the time frame to ensure compliance with the lease.
The lease agreement will also specify how the notice should be sent – most property managers and landlords will accept notices via email, but some will request that the letter be mailed. Before mailing a notice letter, it is good practice to have the landlord or property manager verify their mailing address to ensure your letter doesn’t get lost. You can also protect the letter by sending it through certified mail and requesting a return receipt. When emailing, ask for confirmation of receipt and then screenshot or save the emails as a pdf and keep them for your personal files.
Writing an intent to vacate letter may seem daunting, but these letters are quite simple. Be sure to include the vital information regarding the termination of the lease, such as:
If you don’t know where to start with your notice to vacate letter, a template can be useful. Just replace what is in brackets with your personal information and email or mail the letter to your landlord or property manager.
[Your Current Address & Apartment Number]
[City, State, and Zip Code]
[Contact Information – Email and Phone Number]
[Property Manager’s Name]
[Address on Lease Agreement]
[City, State, and Zip Code]
Dear [Landlord or Property Manager’s Name],
My lease term at [Apartment Address or Property Name] began on [Start Date of Lease] and ends on [End Date of Lease]. This letter constitutes my written [30, 60, or 90] day notice that I will vacate the apartment on [Move Out Date].
I would like to schedule a move-out walkthrough of the apartment before I vacate. Please contact me at [Your Phone Number] to schedule the walkthrough. I believe you will find that the apartment is in good condition, and my security deposit of [Amount of Security Deposit] should be refunded in full. Please advise me as to when I can expect my security deposit check as well as if any fees will be taken out for repairs.
My forwarding address is:
[Your New Street Address, Apartment Number]
[City, State, and Zip Code]
Thank you for your time and consideration.
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Current Address & Apartment Number]
[City, State, and Zip Code]
[Contact Information – Email and Phone Number]
[Property Manager’s Name]
[Address on Lease Agreement]
[City, State, and Zip Code]
Dear [Landlord or Property Manager’s Name],
Please accept this letter as my formal written notice of my intention to vacate my apartment at [Address or Property Name] on [Move Out Date], the last day of my lease beginning on [Start Day of Lease]. Per my lease agreement, this letter fulfills the [30, 60, or 90 day] notice requirement.
Please contact me at [Your Phone Number] to schedule a walkthrough inspection of the property. I believe the apartment to be in good condition and expect my security deposit of [Amount of Security Deposit] to be returned. Please send the security deposit to my new address, [Your New Address]. If there are any issues with the apartment’s condition, please contact me directly.
[Your Phone Number]
Moving can be complicated, but writing a notice letter is simple. This is not the time to try to settle an argument with the landlord or write a long explanation of why you have to move – less is more in this circumstance! Your notice to vacate letter should give the landlord or property manager all of the information they need regarding your forwarding address, move-out date, and contact information to schedule a walkthrough, and you should always keep receipts of the communication for the future. Mail can get lost, and emails can be deleted, so having proof that you sent a notice letter is imperative.
A letter of intent to vacate your apartment may seem simple, but forgetting to provide notice within the legally dictated time frame can cost you a month’s rent (or more!) and can put a stain on your renting record in the future. Providing a clear and timely notice letter is the best proof that you are a savvy and responsible renter!