It’s that time of the year again: You’ve found a new home and are moving out of your old unit soon. How should you go about telling your landlord? Below is information regarding what a 30-day notice is, how to send it, and what steps to take when doing so.
What is a 30-Day Notice?
A 30 day notice, or notice to vacate, is your written intent to move out. This is how you should end your current lease. It can also be referred to as a nonrenewal notice.
You should give this notice to your landlord 30 days prior to the day you intend to leave the property, to give them enough time to list the rental and begin the process of finding a new renter. They also could use this opportunity to see if the property needs any major repairs or renovations.
This notice can be emailed, written, or typed up and handed to your landlord. You should always check with your landlord to make sure they don’t already have a specific form that they prefer you use. Keep in mind that your landlord can also give you this notice if they decide to terminate your tenancy and rent to someone else in the coming lease term.
Steps to Giving a 30-Day Notice
Communicating your intent to move out isn’t complicated, but it can be helpful to see a step-by-step outline of what you should do to make sure you’re saving both yourself and your landlord the headache of a confusing move out. Below are four steps to help you through this process.
#1: Determine Your Move-Out Day
You can choose whether you’d like to move out on the last day of your lease or slightly before. This decision is based on your own personal schedule and when your next lease may begin. You need this info to figure out when to send your notice since it must be at least a 30 day notice to vacate the property.
If you need to move out more than a month before your lease ends, your landlord may charge you an early termination fee. Ask your landlord for their policy on this matter and decide whether it’s worth it.
#2: Double-Check Your Current Lease
In every lease, there are requirements and procedures that landlords spell out so that their tenants know what they expect leading up to your move out. Make sure you double check that you complete all the steps your landlord incudes in your rental agreement.
It’s a good idea to take note of these procedures long before you are thinking of moving out, since a 30 day notice to landlord may not always be sufficient. Some require that their tenants give them 45- or even 60-day notice.
#3: Write Your Notice
Now it’s time to write your notice. Make sure it’s in written form and is organized and easy to read, so that there is no confusion on the behalf of either party. You and your landlord need proof of the agreed conditions and move-out date.
There are a few things that you should include in your moving-out letter. Make sure you have the date, both you and your landlords’ names and addresses, and your statement that you intend to terminate your lease and leave your unit. You’ll also want to state your intended move-out date and specify that you are following the guidelines in your lease agreement by filing this notice 30 days prior to move out.
Also, make sure you have your new mailing/forwarding address included in your notice. This is so your landlord can mail you any remaining funds from your security deposit. This is important since, in some states, if you do not provide a new mailing address, the landlord doesn’t have to issue your remaining deposit at all. Included in this term is the date by which your landlord needs to give you your deposit. This information is usually detailed in the lease or in your state’s real estate laws.
Finally, provide your phone number, email address, and signature to finalize your notice.
#4: Pay Your Last Month’s Rent
Make sure you pay the last month’s rent after filing your notice. You and your landlord can determine whether the final month will be paid in full or a prorated amount.
Conclusion
If you have a month-to-month or week-to-week lease, make sure you send a notice well before your auto-renewal happens. You’ll need to check with your landlord or your lease agreement to find out whether a 30 day notice letter is sufficient, or if they require something different.