Free Notice of Intent to Vacate Templates

What Is a Notice of Intent to Vacate?

A Notice of Intent to Vacate is a written document prepared and sent by a tenant to their landlord to inform them about the intention not to renew the lease and to leave the rented residence or commercial property. Once you found a better house for yourself and your family or an office space more suited for the needs of your business, reread your lease and find out how to manage the process of finishing your lease.

Alternate Name:

• Notice of Intent to Vacate Letter.

Even if you have had a trusting relationship with your landlord for months and years and never had any disagreements before, you cannot predict their reaction to the notice, especially if you have not mentioned the plans to leave to them. Make sure you declare your intentions in writing and document every discussion you have - it is a better way to secure yourself than to send them a text or email and do nothing else. For a full list of Notice of Intent to Vacate templates please check out our library below.

How to Write a Notice of Intent to Vacate?

Follow these steps to complete an Intent to Vacate Notice:

1. Write down your full name (legal name if you represent a business and want to cancel a commercial lease);
2. Greet the landlord by using their full name.
3. Confirm your intention to vacate the premises, rental unit, and end the lease. State the date you will be leaving the residence or office - the landlord can meet you in person to inspect the property on the last day of the lease. However, you may offer to terminate the lease on a different day - when you will be able to be present at the premises to welcome the landlord and conduct an inspection together.
4. Calculate the amount of rent you still owe and explain how and when you are planning to pay it to the landlord. Alternatively, suggest using a security deposit to cover the rest of the rent and other possible expenses you have not paid for yet.
5. Add your contact information and ask the letter recipient to contact you - it is very likely you have to discuss and settle the matter of unpaid rent, security deposit, compensation for the minor and major damages inflicted upon the property, etc.
6. Sign and date the letter.

How Soon to Send a Notice of Intent to Vacate?

Carefully read the lease you have signed with the landlord to comply with its terms. Naturally, you cannot just send them an email that says you are going to move out tomorrow - there must be an advance warning. Depending on the conditions of the lease, you need to draft a 30 Days Notice of Intent to Vacate or a 60 Days Notice of Intent to Vacate. Use an email if this is how you have always communicated with your landlord or send them a certified mail - this way, you can obtain a receipt that may come in handy if you ever have to prove you have warned the other party about your plans.

Once the notice is sent, you may call or text your landlord to tell them to check their mail - just in case. A short message would do - there is no need to prepare another Notice of Intent to Vacate template. Note that if you have only been in contact with the property manager the landlord hired to deal with multiple properties, direct your letter to them instead.

Still looking for a particular template? Take a look at the related templates and forms below:

• Eviction Notice Templates;
• Month-to-Month Rental Agreement Forms;
• Residential Lease Agreement Templates.