A notice ending a tenancy in the ordinary course — usable by either a landlord or a tenant. This is not an eviction notice.
Required notice periods vary by state and tenancy type, and a number of cities and states require a legally valid reason before a landlord can decline to renew a tenancy. This is a general template, not legal advice. Confirm your state and local requirements before sending this notice.
NOTICE TO VACATE
Date: [DATE]
Property: [PROPERTY ADDRESS, UNIT NUMBER]
This notice is being sent by: [ ] Landlord [ ] Tenant
To: [RECIPIENT NAME]
From: [SENDER NAME]
--------------------------------------------------------------
This notice informs [RECIPIENT NAME] that the tenancy at the
above address will end, and the premises must be vacated, on:
[MOVE-OUT DATE]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Reason for notice (check one):
[ ] End of fixed-term lease — lease will not be renewed
[ ] Termination of month-to-month tenancy
[ ] Tenant's voluntary notice of intent to vacate
[ ] Other: _______________________________________________
Details / Additional Information:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
If sent by the landlord: This notice is not a notice of
eviction or unlawful detainer. It is a notice ending the tenancy
in the ordinary course, in accordance with the lease and
applicable state and local law. If you have questions about this
notice, please contact me directly.
If sent by the tenant: I intend to vacate the premises by the
date above and will leave the unit in the condition required by
my lease. Please advise of any move-out inspection or checklist
requirements, and confirm the address to which my security
deposit and itemized deductions (if any) should be sent.
Forwarding Address (tenant, if applicable):
_________________________________________________________________
Sender Signature: ______________________ Date: _________________
Print Name: _____________________________________________________Confusing this with an eviction notice
A notice to vacate ends a tenancy in the ordinary course (lease expiring, tenant choosing to leave); an eviction notice addresses a lease violation and can lead to a court filing. Using the wrong document, or the wrong tone, can create confusion or even legal exposure.
Giving too little notice
Required notice periods vary by state and tenancy type — sending 30 days' notice when your state requires 60 (common for longer tenancies in some states) can make the notice ineffective or delay the actual move-out date.
Vague move-out date
A specific calendar date is far more defensible than a general timeframe if the notice is ever challenged or if move-out disputes arise.
Landlords skipping the 'just cause' requirement where it applies
In cities and a growing number of states with just-cause eviction protections, a landlord generally can't simply decline to renew a tenancy without a legally valid reason — sending this notice without that basis can be unenforceable.
Tenants not requesting a move-out inspection
Skipping this step makes it harder to dispute security deposit deductions later, since there's no documented record of the unit's condition at move-out.
No proof of delivery
Whichever party sends this notice, an undocumented delivery method leaves no way to prove when the other party actually received it, which matters if the effective date is ever disputed.
LeasePilot HQ flags upcoming lease expirations automatically, so you always have enough runway to send a compliant notice on time.
Generate it from your real lease and tenant data, keep it filed with the property, and never dig through email for a copy again.
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