Notice to Vacate From Landlord to Tenant — Free Template
A notice to vacate from landlord to tenant ends a periodic tenancy, such as month-to-month, by a set date. It is different from an eviction notice for unpaid rent or a lease violation: this letter simply says the tenancy is ending and explains the move-out. Notice periods, and whether you need a reason, depend on your state, your city and the lease.
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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: Landlord giving notice to the tenant.
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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Check the rules before you serve
Many states let a landlord end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days' notice, but some require 60 or more for longer tenancies, and a growing number of states and cities only allow it for specific reasons. A fixed-term lease generally can't be ended this way before its end date. Notices that are retaliatory or discriminatory are illegal everywhere.
If the tenant owes rent or has broken the lease, an eviction notice with the right notice type is usually the correct document instead.
What to include
Name every adult tenant, the full address and the exact end date. State a reason if your rules require one. Explain how rent works through the end date, how to schedule the inspection, where to return keys and how the deposit will be handled. If your city requires relocation payments or specific notice language, add it.
Serve the notice using a method your state allows, and record the date, method and who delivered it.
If the tenant doesn't move out
This notice does not remove anyone. If the tenant stays past the date, your next step is an eviction case in court. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff or similar officer, can remove a tenant. Don't change locks, remove belongings or cut utilities while you wait.
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 from landlord to tenant
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Harbor Point Property Management
400 Commerce Dr, Suite 120, Springfield, IL 62701 · (555) 420-1188
October 5, 2026
Jordan Ellis
Re: Notice to vacate — 88 Maple Ave, Apt 2B, Springfield, IL 62704
Dear Jordan Ellis,
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: Landlord giving notice to the tenant.
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: The owner's family member will be moving into the unit.
Rent remains due as usual through November 30. Please contact our office to schedule a move-out inspection and return all keys on the move-out date. Your security deposit will be handled as the lease and state rules require.
Please confirm in writing that you have received this notice. I am keeping a copy for my records.
Sincerely,
Harbor Point Property Management
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does a landlord have to give?
It depends on the state, the city, the type of tenancy, how long the tenant has lived there and the lease. Thirty days is common for month-to-month tenancies, but longer periods apply in many places. Check your local rules before serving.
Can I accept rent after the end date?
Accepting rent for a period after the end date can, in some states, create a new tenancy or undo the notice. If the tenant stays, ask how your state treats it before accepting payment.
Is this the same as an eviction notice?
It is a type of notice that ends a tenancy, but it is not an eviction. Eviction is the court process that follows if the tenant doesn't leave. Our eviction notice template covers notices for unpaid rent and lease violations.
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.