A 30-Day Notice To Landlord is a document where a tenant notifies the landlord that they will not be renewing the lease. This notice also informs the landlord of the move-out date and where to send the security deposit.
Failure to give this notice may mean the lease converts into a month-to-month tenancy when it expires. This can result in additional rent, penalties, and the withholding of the security deposit.
Is 30 Days’ Notice Sufficient To End a Lease?
The landlord and tenant both have to give notice of non-renewal if they intend to discontinue the lease. This document is often called a 30-Day Notice, but the actual time allowed may vary based on the lease agreement or state law.
Notice Requirements Stated in Lease Agreement
For fixed-term leases, the lease agreement may specify the minimum time required (if any) for sending a notice of non-renewal to the landlord. Many lease agreements require 60-90 days of notice from the tenant, rather than just 30.
Lease Termination Notice Requirements by State
Some leases contain no standards for notice of non-renewal. This is most common in month-to-month rentals that result from an expired fixed-term lease.
State laws specify the timeframe for sending notice of termination. It’s important that tenants meet these timeframes to avoid delays in ending their lease. The following table provides state standards for notice of termination to a landlord:
| State | Month-to-Month Lease |
| Alabama | 30 days |
| Alaska | 30 days |
| Arizona | 30 days |
| Arkansas | 30 days |
| California | 30 days |
| Colorado | 21 days |
| Connecticut | No statute |
| Delaware | 60 days (counted from the first day of the month following the date the notice was sent) |
| Florida | 15 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Hawaii | 28 days |
| Idaho | One month |
| Illinois | 30 days |
| Indiana | One Month |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Kansas | 30 days |
| Kentucky | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 10 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
| Maryland | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | The interval between days of payment or 30 days, whichever is longer |
| Michigan | One month |
| Minnesota | The interval between the time rent is due or 3 months, whichever is shorter |
| Mississippi | 30 days |
| Missouri | One month |
| Montana | 30 days |
| Nebraska | 30 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| New Jersey | One month |
| New Mexico | 30 days |
| New York | One month |
| North Carolina | 7 days |
| North Dakota | One month |
| Ohio | 30 days |
| Oklahoma | 30 days |
| Oregon | 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | No statute |
| Rhode Island | 30 days |
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| South Dakota | One month |
| Tennessee | 30 days |
| Texas | One month |
| Utah | No statute |
| Vermont | One rental period |
| Virginia | 30 days |
| Washington | 20 days |
| Washington D.C. | 30 days |
| West Virginia | One month |
| Wisconsin | 28 days |
| Wyoming | No statute |
Consequences for Insufficient Notice
Moving out without a lawful notice of termination can lead to the following consequences:
- Payment of additional rent.
- Loss of security deposit.
- Additional fees and penalties.
Extra Notice
It’s customary for tenants to give more notice than legally required. This is strictly optional, but is beneficial for the following reasons:
- Gives the landlord enough time to secure a new tenant.
- Helps maintain a good relationship between the landlord and tenant.
- Provides a clearer timeline for the tenant and landlord to finalize the move-out process.
- Proves the tenant has a record of timely and good-faith communication in case of any legal claims.
- Protects the tenant’s good reputation.
Writing a 30-Day Notice To Landlord
A 30-day notice to the landlord usually includes the following information:
- Date of notice.
- Tenant’s name and contact information.
- Landlord’s name and contact information.
- Rental property address, including the unit number.
- Reference to the current lease.
- Expiration date of the current lease.
- Proposed move-out date.
- Reference to the lease notice requirement.
- Specific steps tenant will take when moving out.
- Tenant’s new address.
- Security deposit instructions.
- Tenant’s signature.
- Landlord’s acknowledgement.
The following information is usually avoided in notice to the landlord:
- Reasons for moving.
- Complaints or issues regarding the current lease.
- Statements about the condition of the current rental property.
It’s in the tenant’s interest to document existing issues, plus any that may arise during the move-out process. However, unnecessarily antagonizing a landlord can lead to disputes which may delay or complicate the move.
Sending a 30-Day Notice To Landlord
Most lease agreements specify how to deliver a notice of non-renewal.
When the lease is silent, it’s customary to send notice in a way that documents delivery with a signature. Certified mail is a popular choice. Restricted delivery is an additional option, since only the addressee can sign for it.
Savvy tenants usually keep a copy of non-renewal notices filed with a notation of what means were used to deliver the notice, the postmarked date, and any other relevant information.
Steps After Sending a 30-Day Notice
After sending a 30-Day Notice To Landlord, the next step is to make initial move-out preparations.
Move-Out Checklist
In most cases, after getting notice of non-renewal, the landlord acknowledges the notice and provides a copy of their move-out checklist (which may already be included in the lease). At this point a tenant can discuss timing for completing the checklist items. These include things such as:
- Cleaning the rental unit and appliances.
- Returning keys to the rental unit.
- Move-out inspection with the landlord.
- Return of the security deposit.
Finding a New Rental Property
Tenants don’t stop needing housing when a lease ends. The period before move-out is typically when the soon-to-be former tenant finds a new property to rent. A landlord’s reference letter often helps tenants to secure a new rental property.
