A lease termination letter may be used by month-to-month tenants to notify the landlords or the property managers that they intend to terminate their tenancy and leave the rental unit. A lease termination letter may also be used if either the landlord or the tenant has violated their lease agreement, and they would like to terminate the contract. However, they must provide at least 30 days’ notice before move-out.
A lease termination letter is usually required when terminating a lease agreement between a landlord and tenant. There are two ways in which both parties may end the lease and get off the hook from their obligations:
- If either party wants to terminate the relationship, the Landlord/property manager or the tenant may unilaterally send a notice of termination to the other party.
- If both the landlord/property manager and the tenant agree to terminate the relationship, they may sign a mutually agreed-upon termination agreement.
What is Contained in a Lease Termination Agreement?
A lease termination letter includes:
- The name of the tenant
- The lease start and end date
- The reason for the termination of the lease
- A copy of the original lease agreement
- A request of the tenant’s new address
- Instructions on how the tenant should complete the move-out process
- Date set for final inspection
How to Write a Lease Termination Letter
Step1: Start by writing the date, name and your contact information in the upper corner of the letter
Step 2: address the letter to the tenant
Step 3: mention the rental property address in the first paragraph together with the lease start and end dates and your reason for writing the letter
Step 4: In the second paragraph, remind the tenant about the checklist issued during the move-in and attach a copy of the checklist with the letter
Step 5: Inform the tenant that you would be doing a final walkthrough of the property at move out. Mention the date and time you would like to do the walk-through with the tenant.
Step 6: Request the tenant to furnish you with their forwarding address for any future correspondence, such as returning the security deposit.
Step 7: conclude the letter with a closing statement and your signature.
Additional Tips for Giving Your Notice to Vacate
- Take your time and go through the lease agreement before writing the letter. Check all the provisions set for moving out, as this will give you a good idea of how to manage the process.
- When addressing your letter to the landlord, make sure to provide both your current and new forwarding address to get your security deposit delivered to you on time.
- Include the move in and move out date. You should provide a lease termination letter 30 days before moving out.
- Provide specific details. Keep the letter simple and clear
- Be formal and polite
- Familiarize yourself with the landlord-tenant laws and state your reasons for breaking or terminating the lease
- Make sure to personally deliver the letter or send it by a certified mail.
Sample Lease Termination Letter
Alvaro Vega
Ohio Road
Chicago Street, 9698
08/06/2013
Albinus Mcgee
Texas
Utah road, 49984
Dear Albinus,
I am writing to inform you that the lease agreement for the apartment located at Utah road, 49984, is set to expire on 09/07/2013. The terms of the agreement have a clause that allows a month to month lease continuation or renewal; I deeply regret to inform you that I am not in a position to renew the contract any further. This decision is made based on the fact that the premises need renovation to the emerging housing trends.
I must admit that you have been among the best tenant I have had for the past few years. Right from your timely rental payments, taking care of the property, and also abiding by the simple set tenancy rules.
If, by any chance, you need a recommendation letter to rent another property, please feel, to contact me. I believe I have notified you in advance so that you can have adequate time to prepare yourself. They leave the apartment in a reasonable state when you move out.
We wish you the best of luck.
Thank you.
Regards,
Alvaro Vega.
- MS Word
FAQs
Most lease agreements usually require that you must pay the rent for the period in case you decide to terminate a lease agreement without providing the required amount of notice. For instance, if you decide to move out of a month-to-month unit where a 30 days’ notice is required, the landlord/property manager will deduct the amount of rent you would have paid if you had delivered the required notice from your security deposit.
When you are not entirely sure of whether you want to move out or not, then the best thing to do is to discuss the matter with your landlord/property manager. Once you deliver the termination notice, that’s it. The landlord may rent your place to someone else after issuing them with the notice.
If you fail to issue a lease termination letter to your landlord or if the landlord fails to issue you with a termination letter, you can decide to take legal action against them. If you fail to provide a lease termination letter, the court may not sympathize with your situation.
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