Free Lease Termination Letter Template

A lease termination letter is a notice that can be used to end a lease agreement early or to confirm that an expiring lease term will not be renewed.

Note on month-to-month rental agreements and fixed period leases. Without a fixed period lease, a landlord generally has the same rights as a tenant when ending tenancy (with proper notice).

Keep in mind, a standard lease termination letter is not the same as a:

• Early lease termination letter. This letter is used to end a lease (by either tenant or landlord) before the lease term ends.
• Notice to quit. This notice can be given to a tenant, by their landlord, if they

What does a lease termination letter include?

A lease termination letter will typically include:

• The lease end date
• The reason for termination (if applicable)
• A copy of the lease
• A request for the tenant’s new address (for forwarding the security deposit return)
• Instructions on how to complete the move-out process
• A copy of the move-in checklist form (if applicable) 
• Recommended dates and times for a final walkthrough inspection

have violated their lease agreement.

When do you need a Lease Termination Letter?

Some Rental Agreements require notice to be sent if the landlord-tenant relationship will end. If you want to end your agreement early, use a Lease Termination Letter to officially communicate the need to end the agreement. For example, a yearly rental agreement may automatically renew unless one month or two month’s notice is given. Advanced warning gives the Landlord time to find another renter and provides the Tenant enough time to find a new home.

Some states require that a minimum number of days’ notice be given to a Tenant before ending a periodic or month-to-month tenancy. Prepare an eviction notice with the statutory minimum notice requirements for periodic tenancies.

In situations where the landlord is going through the eviction process with a tenant, a notice or agreement shows the court that the Landlord gave a fair warning. Hopefully, the Landlord has been documenting all the written letters and notices being sent to the Tenant. A good paper trail can save the Landlord time in the future if a judge becomes involved.

A Lease Termination Letter can be used to end a lease agreement early or to confirm that an expiring lease term will not be renewed.

When to Send a Lease Termination Letter

A lease termination letter is usually given to a tenant at least 30 days prior to the end of lease date stated in the letter. A 30-day notice is especially common with month-to-month tenancies. However, you may be required to provide a 60-day notice or even a 90-day notice of termination, so be sure to read through your lease agreement thoroughly and check your local laws before you send a lease termination letter to your tenant. This will ensure you have given them proper notice according to your state regulations and the terms of your lease.

What happens if you don’t use one?

If you do not use a Lease Termination Letter, the court may not sympathize with your situation. The law does not look well upon Tenants who simply move out without any notice or Landlords who kick out their Tenants without any advanced warning. Society is better off when people can expect that their Rental Agreement for one year will be honored.

Instead of simply leaving, Tenants are expected to have adult conversations with their Landlords about why they need to leave. Tenants can offer to sublet the place to another trustworthy person or give the Landlord a chance to fix the heater (if they haven’t already).

Helpful Tips for Writing Your Lease Termination Letter

Before you begin filling out your lease termination letter, let’s go over a few final tips.

• Remember that you can personalize the letter however you like, such as including the reason for termination (if applicable) or specific move-out instructions (that should also be outlined in the lease).
• Keep your written notice simple and polite. Your note is not the place to settle past issues with your tenant. The only purpose this letter serves is to give notice to your tenant of their end-of-lease date and provide a record of your written notice.
• Keep a copy of the lease termination letter for your records. It’s a rental document that all landlords need to have just in case.
• Don’t forget to include the date on your letter. The date proves that you have met the notice period according to your state laws and the lease agreement between you and your tenant.
• Be sure to request your tenant’s forwarding address so you have somewhere to send the security deposit back to them (if applicable).
• If you don’t hear from your tenant about the final walk-through, follow up with a call or email as a friendly reminder.