If you rent the place, the quick answer is yes, you have to give notice. In states in the United States, renters are required by law to tell their landlord that they are moving out. The amount of time you have to give a notice to your landlord before you move out depends on the kind of lease you have, the laws in your state, and how long you have been living in the home. If you do not give your landlord notice, you might not get your security deposit back. What’s more you may need to have to pay more.
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What Kind of Lease Do You Have?
If you have a fixed-term lease (for example, 1 year), it expires on a certain day. Some people think they can just move out, when the lease ends without telling their landlord. That is not always true. You have to check your lease to see if it automatically renews for another year. If it does and you do not give your landlord notice before the lease ends, you will be renting the home for another year. You should read your lease carefully to make sure you know what to do.
If you pay rent from month to month, you usually have to give your landlord 30 days notice before you move out. However, in some states, it’s different. For example, in North Carolina you only have to give 7 days notice. In Delaware you have to give 60 days notice.
A Quick Guide to Notice Requirements for Different Kinds of Leases
The laws in your state determine what the minimum notice is. Your lease might require more notice. If your lease says you have to give more notice than the law requires, you have to follow what your lease says.
What Happens If You Do Not Give Your Landlord Notice
Not giving your landlord notice is not a matter of being polite. Your landlord might sue you for not paying rent for the time after you move out. They might keep your security deposit if your lease says they can. Some landlords will charge you for an extra months rent if you stay in the home even one day after you said you would move out.
How to Give Your Landlord Notice the Right Way
To protect yourself you should follow these steps:
1. Read your lease to see when you have to give notice and what you have to do.
2. Write a letter to your landlord that has your name, the address of the home and the date you will move out.
3. Include the address where you will be living next so your landlord can send you your security deposit.
4. Give the letter to your landlord in person or send it by certified mail so you have proof that you gave it to them.
5. Keep a copy of the letter for yourself.
Your notice should say your name, the address of the home the date you will move out and where to send your security deposit.
Letter example:
[Your Name]
[Your Current Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Landlord’s Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
I am writing to provide you with [30/60] days’ notice of my intent to vacate the rental property at [Your Rental Address] on [Exact Move-Out Date].
Per the terms of my lease, I will ensure that the unit is cleaned, all keys are returned, and any outstanding rent is settled before my departure. Please let me know if you’d like to schedule a final inspection.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature (if applicable)]
[Your Printed Name]
Special Situations
If you are in the military or a victim of violence, you might be able to move out of your rental home with less notice. If you are in the military and get orders to move to a place or to go overseas for more than 90 days, you can break your lease by writing to your landlord and including a copy of your orders.
Giving your landlord notice is a part of moving out of a rental home. It helps you get your security deposit back keeps your history good and avoids problems that can happen after you move out.
