Lease Termination Letter

View and download a state-specific residential lease termination letter (either as a landlord or tenant) and read further about notice requirements for each lease termination scenario, such as month-to-month, fixed end date or no lease.

State-Specific Lease Termination Notice Templates

Lease Termination Letter Explained

Lease termination letters are commonly used to allow a landlord or tenant to cancel their month-to-month rental agreement, also termed “tenancy at will.” Since month-to-month rental agreements generally have no end date, the landlord or tenant will need to provide the other party with their intent to end their agreement. In this instance, a lease termination letter with one month’s written notice is required in most states.

Lease termination letters can also be used at the end of a fixed period lease by either the landlord or tenant. While it is not as common, some states do require landlords and tenants to provide a lease termination letter, within a specific notice period, even when the lease has a fixed end date.

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 have violated their lease agreement.

Steps To Terminate A Lease

If you want to terminate a month-to-month rental agreement or live in a state where you are required to provide a termination notice for a fixed-term lease, you will want to follow these steps:

Step 1: Check State Notice Requirements

The following chart details the month-to-month rental agreement and fixed-end lease termination notice requirements by state:

A Colorado. The lease must be terminated in relation to the duration of the lease. One year or longer, three months. Six months or longer but less than a year, one month. One month or longer but less than six months, twenty-one days. One week or longer but less than one month, or a tenancy at will, three days. Less than one week, one day.

B Georgia. The landlord must provide sixty days’ notice and the tenant must provide thirty days.

C Hawaii. The landlord must provide at least forty-five days and the tenant is allowed twenty-eight days’ notice.

D Oregon. Thirty days unless the tenant has been on the property for more than one year, then the landlord and tenant are required to give at least sixty days’ notice.

ERhode Island. Thirty days’ notice required for all tenants sixty-two years of age and younger, sixty days if over sixty-two years of age.

F Vermont. If the tenant has been on the property for two years or less than sixty days’ notice is required. If the tenant has been on the property for two years or less than ninety days is required.

How to calculate your notice: When a tenant or landlord wants to end their month-to-month agreement, a 30-day notice is (typically) required by state law. The timing of this notice can often be confusing for both tenants and landlords because the notice takes effect on the date that rent is due rather than the 30th day after the notice is given. For example, if a landlord wants the tenant to vacate on September 1st, they would need to give a 30-day notice at least 30 days before September 1st. This means that the landlord would have to give the notice on July 31st or earlier. If the landlord does not give their 30-day notice until August 5th, then the notice would not take effect and the tenant would not have to vacate until October 1st.

Step 2: Write Termination Letter

Month-to-month rental agreements can be terminated by sending a copy of the notice to the other party. Use the state notification requirements provided above when writing your lease termination letter.

Each lease termination letter should include the following:

Step 3: Get Proof of Service

There are many ways to provide the lease termination letter (to the other party), however, we recommend you mail it via certified mail with a return receipt, leave it at the residence, or hand-deliver it.

Mailing via Certified Mail with a Return Receipt. If you are planning to mail your lease termination letter be sure to send it by certified mail with a return receipt. This will provide you with proof that the other party received the letter in case there is a misunderstanding or it needs to be shown in a court of law.

Leaving at the Residence. If you are planning to leave the lease termination letter at the rental property, be sure to post it in a conspicuous place. This will ensure that your tenant can find it.

Keep in mind, the notification period begins upon the other party’s receipt of the notice. Accordingly, it is recommended to send the document prior to the required deadline to ensure that it is met. Delivering a 30-day notice just a couple of days late can push the move-out date a full month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much notice is required to terminate a lease?

Lease termination notices vary based on lease type and state laws. In most states, there are no notice requirements for either party to end a fixed-term lease, the lease simply expires on the last day of the term. For month-to-month rental agreements, one month’s notice is typically required from either party. Be sure to check your lease and state requirements to find out when to provide notice.

How do you write a lease termination letter?

When writing a lease termination notice letter, you should include:

1. Date
2. Rental property address
3. The date notice begins
4. State notice requirements (in days)
5. Signature and printed name