QUICK LINKS
- Tenant to Landlord (End of Lease) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 15 days prior to a the end of lease for a fixed-term lease in Pennsylvania.
- Tenant to Landlord (Month-to-Month) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 15 days prior to a payment date in Pennsylvania for month-to-month leases or “at will” tenants that pay rent month-to-month.
- Tenant to Landlord (Periodic Lease of a Year or More) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 30 days prior to a payment date in Pennsylvania for periodic leases of a year or more.
- Tenant to Landlord (Year or Less with No Fixed Term) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 15 days prior to a payment date in Pennsylvania for no fixed term leases for a year or less.
- Landlord to Tenant (End of Lease) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 15 days prior to a the end of lease for a fixed-term lease in Pennsylvania.
- Landlord to Tenant (Month-to-Month) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 15 days prior to a payment date in Pennsylvania for month-to-month leases or “at will” tenants that pay rent month-to-month.
- Landlord to Tenant (Periodic Lease of a Year or More) [.pdf] – notice is required at least 30 days prior to a payment date in Pennsylvania for periodic leases of a year or more.
Purpose. A Pennsylvania lease termination letter (“Notice to Vacate”) is a required document to end month-to-month lease agreements in Pennsylvania. State law requires giving at least 15 days notice for termination. However, state law does not require notice to be given to end fixed term lease agreements on their end date.
Read further to learn more about notice requirements and the residential lease termination process in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Notice Requirements for Lease Termination by Tenant
For a tenant to terminate a lease in Pennsylvania here are the requirements:
- Monthly Agreement: To terminate a month-to-month agreement, a tenant gives the landlord a 30-days notice before the termination date.
- Lease For More than One Month: To terminate a lease agreement that is for a fixed term for longer than one month and that has a renewal option, a tenant gives the landlord a 30-days notice to vacate before the termination date. This is to inform the landlord of the intent not to renew the lease.
Legally Terminate a Lease Early in Pennsylvania
Lease termination early without penalty is possible in Pennsylvania for these reasons:
- Material Breach of Lease Agreement: A lease may be terminated by either the tenant or the landlord if there is a material breach of the terms and conditions of the lease agreement caused by the other party.
- Military Duty: A tenant can terminate a lease for a relocation required by active military duty by giving the landlord a notice of termination for a date that is at least 30 days after the next rent payment is due.
- Harassment or Privacy Violation: If a landlord harasses a tenant or violates the tenant’s right to privacy that is good cause for early lease termination.
- Unsafe or Unhealthy Conditions: If the rental unit is unsafe or violates the state’s health codes in a serious way, then this is a good cause for early lease termination.
