A lease nonrenewal notice template is the letter, also called a “notice of non-renewal of lease,” that tells a landlord or tenant in advance that they are not renewing a rental agreement. This is given toward the final days of the lease term and should have a guide on where to send the security deposit. A proprietor or tenant may decide to not reestablish a lease under any conditions aside from prejudice or retribution.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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This is given to a resident with the goal that they will move out as opposed to remain when their lease ends. It guarantees the property owner will get ownership back toward the end of the lease so it could be re-let to another person.
When ending a lease, tenants or landlords may have their own reasons. Here are some common causes:
Start with your lease. Find the end date, check whether it is a fixed term or a month-to-month tenancy, and note whether the landlord or the tenant is ending it. Then pick a delivery method and send the letter early enough for the other side to plan the move.
State laws vary, but here are some guidelines and information about ending leases:
When you know about the proper measure of notice that must be given, the forms below will be useful additions to address issues and complete the requirements of ending a lease.
The notice you give depends on the kind of tenancy. A fixed-term lease runs to a set end date. A month-to-month, week-to-week or year-to-year tenancy renews itself for another period until someone gives notice. Check which one you have before you write the letter, then count the days.
A tenant who wants to leave at the end of the term gives notice too. In 33 of the 49 jurisdictions covered, the state also sets a notice rule for a tenant who ends the tenancy. Among the 25 jurisdictions whose rule counts the tenant's notice in days, the period runs from 5 to 60 days, depending on the state.
To count the days between the date you send the letter and your move-out date, use FormsPal's deadline calculator. For the notice rule in your own state, check your state's rental rules before you set the date.
A clear nonrenewal letter is short and easy to check. It names both sides, points to the lease, gives the last day of the lease and says where to send the security deposit. A lease nonrenewal notice template keeps these items in the right order, so nothing gets left out.
Keep the tone calm and direct. A short, neutral letter is easier to read and gives the other side less to argue about. A lease nonrenewal notice template is a plain business letter, not a legal brief, so write it in everyday words. If you are unsure which type of lease you have, a legal aid office can help you read it.
Pick a delivery method that leaves a record you can show later. Hand delivery, certified mail and email each leave a different trail, so choose the one that fits your lease and keep a copy of everything you send.
If a property management company handles the rental, send the letter to the company and keep a copy for yourself. The property management office can also tell the tenant where to return the keys. Contact the company first if you are unsure where to send it.
Whichever method you use, fill out the Certificate of Service described below so the date and the method are on paper.
Do not wait until the last week. Mail can be slow, and a short notice period leaves the other side little time to plan. Send the letter early and keep proof of when and how you sent it.
A nonrenewal letter goes out in four stages. You check the lease, write and send the letter, inspect the unit, and return the security deposit. Work through them in this order, and keep copies of every document along the way.
Step 1 – Always check the original lease agreement
It’s ideal to confirm when the current lease is supposed to end. Also, it’s a smart practice to audit what furniture and appliances were from the lessor to guarantee it stays on the property after moving out. Furthermore, any refundable charges to be given back to the occupant ought to be noted in the written notice.
Write down these details before you start the letter:
Step 2 – Write and send the letter
The written notice can be sent by means of standard mail or email. However, there is no lawful commitment for the landlord to give this toward the end of a lease term.
The lessor isn’t required to write detailed explanations for ending the lease except if they feel the need. In the event that the lessor does write to them, they should ensure it’s not oppressive or retaliatory. If not, they might wind up in a legal mess. To be safe, follow state law guidelines on giving notices for leases.
Step 3 – Inspect the unit
Before the tenant leaves, it’s best for the lessor or the property manager to inspect the unit in detail. A move-out checklist is a good tool to use for both landlord and tenant, noting any damage in the unit. After the review is finished, both parties should sign the move-out checklist.
Step 4 – Send the security deposit
After the tenant has moved out and the lessor has gotten an estimation for the damage discovered, the occupant will be sent their leftover security deposit. The lessor must send the deposit to the occupant’s address within the State return limit. If not, the lessor can be penalized and fined.
| Document Name | Not Renewing Lease Notice Form |
| Other Names | Notice to Not Renew Lease, Lease Non-Renewal Letter |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 12 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 38 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF |
Follow the five steps below, from the first blank to the signature. Use the template to formalize the written notice. You may also add negotiation results with your lessor, which you may detail in writing.
Step 1— Download the letter template.
Choose the file that is compatible with your computer:
Step 2— Fill out the details of each party involved in the lease.
For the first part of the letter, type the following:
Step 3— Complete the body of the letter.
For the next part of the letter, input the following:
Step 4— Sign the letter.
In the last part of the letter, write the following:
Step 5— Print and use the “Certificate of Service”.
Print a copy once you have fully edited the template, and make sure that you ask the landlord or the tenant to sign a copy as proof that you have submitted the notice. If you will not deliver it personally, you can use a “Certified Mail” service.
To further make sure you have done your part legally, you may fill out the “Certificate of Service” form below:
On the first blank, write the date when you have filled out the letter. Then, choose the box that applies to your manner of letter delivery.
If you had it hand-delivered, identify the person who delivered the letter on the second blank.
Next, list all recipients of the letter by writing the following:
If there are any other people involved, write the same details on the other spaces provided.
Lastly, sign the form (blank 5). You may leave the succeeding parts blank for the notary public.
Ending a lease can be a touchy situation, so this letter takes a gentle but direct approach. It also asks the tenant to remove all possessions, leave everything spotless and share a forwarding address.
It depends on the type of lease and on where the property is. The list above gives the ranges for each type. Check your lease first, and then contact your landlord or property manager if the dates in the rental agreement seem unclear to you.
Yes. A tenant who no longer plans to stay can send the same kind of letter to the landlord. Use the same template, and fill in the details that apply to your own situation and to the rental property.
No. A rent increase notice changes the price and the tenancy continues, while a nonrenewal notice ends the tenancy. FormsPal has a separate rent increase notice template. In 11 of the 49 jurisdictions FormsPal's verified state data covers, the state sets a notice rule for a rent increase. Among the 9 states that count it in days, the notice runs from 30 to 90 days, depending on the state.
Pick a method that leaves a record and keep a copy of the letter with your lease papers.
FormsPal has lease agreement pages for individual states. Open the rental lease agreement forms page and choose your state to see the local details.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
