Notice to Vacate

1. Choose who gives notice. A landlord ending a tenancy, or a tenant telling the landlord they are moving out. The wording changes to match.
2. Enter the dates and the notice period. The date of the notice, the move-out date and the number of days of notice your state and your lease require. Count the days before you sign.
3. Deliver it and record how. Tick the delivery method, keep a copy, and for mail keep the receipt. A tenant should add a forwarding address for the security deposit.

For a month-to-month tenancy, 30 days is the most common rule, but it is not universal. Some states ask for more when the landlord gives notice or when the tenant has lived there a long time - in California, for example, a landlord must give 60 days' notice once the tenant has lived in the unit for a year or more. Some states and cities, including California, Oregon and Washington, also limit when a landlord can end a tenancy without a reason. A fixed-term lease usually ends on its end date, but the lease itself may ask for notice. Check your state's law and your lease and enter the number of days here.

The way your lease and your state's law say notices must be given. Hand delivery is the simplest; certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof it arrived. Posting the notice on the door is usually allowed only together with mailing a copy, and states that allow mail often add extra days to the notice period. Whatever you use, write down the date and method on the notice and keep a copy for yourself.

No. A notice to vacate ends a tenancy on a date, usually without blaming anyone: a month-to-month tenancy that one side wants to end, or a lease that will not be renewed. An eviction notice is about a problem - unpaid rent or a lease violation - and has its own state rules. If the tenant does not move out after a notice to vacate, the landlord cannot change the locks or remove belongings; the next step is an eviction case in court.

After move-out the landlord returns the deposit, minus lawful deductions for unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear, usually with an itemized list. The deadline is set by state law and ranges from a couple of weeks to a month or more. A tenant should give a forwarding address in writing - this notice has a place for it - and take photos when leaving.

Yes. No account, no trial and no card: fill in the form and download the PDF. There is no subscription to cancel later. The free PDF carries a small "Made with DittoFox" mark at the bottom of the page.