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How to Terminate a Lease (4 steps)
1. Notice Requirements
The first step is to identify the State-required notice period that either the landlord or tenant must receive when terminating a month-to-month lease. This is commonly 30 days but can be longer (or shorter) depending on the State where the property is located (i.e., California law requires that if the tenant has been on the property for one year or longer, the landlord must give 60 days’ notice).
2. Download & Complete
Use the template below to write a termination letter. It must include the property address, tenant’s name, and reference the agreement being canceled (commonly by its date).
Lease Termination Letter
Download: PDF, MS Word (.docx), OpenDocument
3. Deliver the Letter
No matter the State, it is recommended that a letter to terminate a lease is sent via Certified Mail (with return receipt). The receipt will be mailed back to the sender, including how the recipient accepted delivery.
Sending with the United States Postal Service (USPS)
In a 2007 Delaware case (Leatherbury v. Greenspun), it was determined there is no substitute for Certified Mail provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Therefore, it is not recommended to send a termination notice using FedEx or UPS.
4. Prepare to Move Out / Wait
The tenant must move out, along with their possessions, by the end of the notice period. If not, the landlord will be forced to start the eviction process in accordance with their State and local laws.
Sample
NOTICE TO TERMINATE TENANCY
Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
To: [LANDLORD OR TENANT NAME]
Property Address: [RENTAL ADDRESS]
You are notified that the tenancy signed on [MM/DD/YYYY] for the leased premises listed above is hereby terminated in [#] days, effective [MM/DD/YYYY].
FOR TENANTS ONLY: After I move out, please mail the security deposit to [TENANT ONLY: NEW MAILING ADDRESS].
On the day of move-out, the Landlord and Tenant(s) will walk through the rental to perform a move-out inspection.
The Tenant(s) agrees to arrange for all utilities to be turned OFF upon move-out. If the Landlord would like to transfer the accounts to their name, they should inform the Tenant(s) as soon as possible.
Landlord / Tenant Signature: _____________________
Printed Name: [PRINTED NAME]
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on [MM/DD/YYYY], I served this notice to [TENANT/LANDLORD NAME] by:
☐ – Delivering it personally to the person in possession of the Premises.
☐ – Delivering it to the Premises to a member of the recipient’s family or household or an employee of suitable age and discretion with a request that it be delivered to the person in possession.
☐ – Certified first-class mail addressed to the person in possession.
Landlord / Tenant Signature: _____________________
Related Forms
Notice to Quit for Non-Payment – To terminate a lease due to a tenant’s inability to pay rent.
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance – To terminate a lease due to a lease violation unrelated to
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument