Notice to Vacate for Roommate — Free Template
A roommate notice to vacate puts a move-out date in writing between people who share a home. You might be the roommate who is leaving, or the leaseholder ending a sublet or informal arrangement. Either way, a dated letter avoids arguments about rent, utilities and the deposit — and if your name is on the lease, you may also need to notify the landlord.
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Free to preview[Your full name (or company name)]
[Your current address and phone or email]
October 15, 2026
[Who the notice is going to]
Re: Notice to vacate — [Rental property address]
Dear [Who the notice is going to],
Please accept this letter as written notice that the tenancy covered by this notice will end on [Date the tenancy ends and the property will be vacated], and that the move-out from [Rental property address] will be complete by that date.
Who is giving notice: Roommate giving notice to a co-tenant or roommate.
This letter provides [How many days' notice you're giving] days' written notice, in line with the rental agreement and the notice rules that apply to this tenancy.
Please confirm in writing that you have received this notice. I am keeping a copy for my records.
Sincerely,
[Your full name (or company name)]
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Know who is on the lease
If you and your roommate are both on the lease, you are usually both responsible to the landlord for the full rent until the lease ends, and one person's notice to the other doesn't change that. Talk to the landlord about removing your name or adding a replacement, and get any change in writing.
If you rent from the leaseholder as a subtenant or informal roommate, your agreement with them controls. If there is no written agreement, the rules for ending a periodic tenancy in your state may apply, and the leaseholder may need to give proper notice like any landlord.
Settle the money in writing
Cover rent through your last day, the final utility bills, internet and any shared purchases. Agree on how your share of the security deposit will be repaid, which is often when the landlord returns it at the end of the lease or when a replacement roommate pays you directly.
Put everything in the arrangements box so it is all in one dated letter.
If a roommate won't leave
A leaseholder generally can't lock out a roommate who has been living there, even without a lease. If they won't leave after proper notice, the next step is usually the court process. Check your local rules, and contact a legal aid organization or tenant help line if you are unsure where you stand.
What to do, step by step
Check how much notice you need
Read the lease for a notice clause, then check your state and city rules. Month-to-month tenancies often require 30 days or more, and some leases require notice to end on the last day of a rental period.
Choose a clear move-out date
Count forward from the day the notice will be received, not the day you write it, and allow extra days if you mail it.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Include the full property address, the exact end date and, for tenants, a forwarding address for the deposit.
Deliver it the way the lease says
Use the delivery method and address in the lease if there is one. Certified mail, hand delivery with a signed receipt, or email where the lease allows it all create a record.
Keep a copy and proof of delivery
Save a copy of the signed notice and your receipt, tracking number or confirmation message in case there is a question later about the dates.
What if the other side doesn't respond to your notice?
A notice to vacate usually doesn't need to be accepted to be effective. If you gave the notice the lease and local rules require, delivered it properly and kept proof, the tenancy generally ends on the date you gave, whether or not the other side replies. A short follow-up email confirming the date is still a good idea.
Tenants who move out on time should document the condition of the home with dated photos, return every key and send their forwarding address in writing. If the deposit isn't returned within the period your state sets, a security deposit demand letter is the usual next step.
Landlords should know that a notice to vacate is not an eviction. If a tenant stays past the date, the landlord must go to court, and only a court order carried out by a court officer can remove a tenant. Changing locks or removing belongings without one is illegal in nearly every state.
Example notice to vacate for roommate
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Jordan Ellis
88 Maple Ave, Apt 2B, Springfield, IL 62704 · (555) 310-7712
October 5, 2026
Sam Ortega
Re: Notice to vacate — 88 Maple Ave, Apt 2B, Springfield, IL 62704
Dear Sam Ortega,
Please accept this letter as written notice that the tenancy covered by this notice will end on November 30, 2026, and that the move-out from 88 Maple Ave, Apt 2B, Springfield, IL 62704 will be complete by that date.
Who is giving notice: Roommate giving notice to a co-tenant or roommate.
This letter provides 30 days' written notice, in line with the rental agreement and the notice rules that apply to this tenancy.
Reason for this notice: I am moving closer to my new job.
I will pay my share of rent and utilities through November 30. I am happy to help find a replacement roommate and will need the landlord's approval before anyone new moves in. Let's agree in writing how my share of the security deposit will be handled.
Please confirm in writing that you have received this notice. I am keeping a copy for my records.
Sincerely,
Jordan Ellis
Frequently asked questions
How much notice should I give my roommate?
Follow your roommate agreement if you have one. If not, 30 days or one full rental period is common and fair. If you are both on the lease, also check the lease, because your obligations to the landlord continue.
Can I just stop paying rent once I've moved out?
If you are on the lease, the landlord can usually still hold you responsible for the rent until the lease ends or you are formally released. Arrange a replacement or written release before you stop paying.
Should I send a copy to the landlord?
If you are on the lease, yes. The landlord needs to know who is living in the unit, and most leases require approval for new occupants. A separate notice to vacate to the landlord may also be required.
How much notice do I need to give?
It depends on your lease and your state and local rules. Month-to-month tenancies commonly need 30 days, and some places require 60 or 90 days for longer tenancies or when a landlord is the one ending it. A fixed-term lease usually ends on its end date, though some leases ask for notice even then.
Does a notice to vacate need a reason?
A tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy usually doesn't need to give one. Landlords often don't either, but a growing number of states and cities require landlords to have a valid reason. Check your local rules before sending a no-reason notice as a landlord.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.