Terminating a lease agreement can be a complex process for both landlords and tenants. A well-written lease termination letter is crucial for ensuring a smooth and legally sound departure. This article provides several sample letters for various situations, covering both tenant and landlord initiated terminations. Understanding the specific circumstances and using the appropriate template is essential to avoid potential legal issues. Ensure that all letters comply with local and state laws regarding notice periods and tenant rights.
These sample letters serve as starting points and should be adapted to fit the specific terms of your lease agreement and the reasons for termination. Always consult with a legal professional if you have any doubts about the termination process or the legality of your actions. Proper documentation and adherence to legal requirements are key to a successful and conflict-free lease termination. Failing to follow proper protocol can result in financial penalties or legal disputes.
Below you will find eleven sample lease termination letters, each addressing a different situation. Remember to fill in the bracketed information with your own details and always send the letter via certified mail with return receipt requested to ensure proof of delivery. Carefully review the letter’s content before sending it to guarantee its accuracy and to prevent any miscommunications or unintended implications. Choose the letter sample that best applies to your need.
Each letter has been designed to be as concise and effective as possible, covering the essential elements for a successful termination. These samples will help you effectively communicate your intention to terminate the lease and maintain a professional relationship with the other party. These templates are designed to be tailored and modified to suit a variety of lease termination needs and conditions. Make sure the letter complies to local laws.
Lease Termination Letter Samples:
Sample Letter 1: Tenant’s Notice to Terminate Lease (End of Term)
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
Subject: Notice of Intent to Vacate – [Your Apartment Number/Address]
Dear [Landlord’s Name or Property Manager Name],
Please accept this letter as formal notification that I will be vacating the property located at [Your Apartment Number/Address] on [Date of Lease End]. This is in accordance with the terms of our lease agreement.
I will ensure the property is left in a clean and satisfactory condition, as per the lease agreement. Please advise on the procedure for returning the keys and arranging a final walkthrough.
Please send my security deposit refund to the following address: [Your Forwarding Address].
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample Letter 2: Tenant’s Notice to Terminate Lease (Early Termination – with Cause)
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
Subject: Notice of Intent to Vacate Due to [Reason – e.g., Uninhabitable Conditions] – [Your Apartment Number/Address]
Dear [Landlord’s Name or Property Manager Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am terminating my lease agreement for the property located at [Your Apartment Number/Address] effective [Date of Termination]. This termination is due to [Clearly explain the reason, e.g., “uninhabitable conditions resulting from persistent mold growth despite repeated attempts to notify you”].
[Provide specific details and dates of the issues, including copies of previous communication attempts].
Due to these conditions, which constitute a breach of the implied warranty of habitability, I am left with no option but to terminate the lease. I expect a full refund of my security deposit. Please advise on the process for returning the keys and arranging a final walkthrough.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample Letter 3: Tenant’s Notice to Terminate Lease (Early Termination – Fee Paid)
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
Subject: Notice of Intent to Vacate – [Your Apartment Number/Address] – Early Termination
Dear [Landlord’s Name or Property Manager Name],
This letter serves as formal notification that I will be vacating the property located at [Your Apartment Number/Address] on [Date of Termination]. I understand that this is prior to the end of my lease agreement, which expires on [Original Lease End Date].
As per the lease agreement, I am prepared to pay the early termination fee of [Amount of Fee] as outlined in [Section of the Lease Agreement]. I have enclosed a check/money order for this amount.
Please advise on the procedure for returning the keys and arranging a final walkthrough. Also, please confirm the process for receiving the remaining portion of my security deposit after any applicable deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample Letter 4: Landlord’s Notice to Terminate Lease (End of Term – Non-Renewal)
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
[Landlord’s Phone Number]
[Landlord’s Email Address]
[Date]
[Tenant’s Name]
[Tenant’s Address]
Subject: Notice of Non-Renewal of Lease – [Tenant’s Apartment Number/Address]
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This letter serves as notification that we will not be renewing your lease agreement for the property located at [Tenant’s Apartment Number/Address], which is currently set to expire on [Date of Lease End].
You are required to vacate the property on or before [Date of Lease End]. Please ensure the property is left in a clean and satisfactory condition as per the lease agreement.
Please contact us to schedule a final walkthrough of the property. We will then process your security deposit in accordance with state law and the terms of the lease. Please provide a forwarding address for the return of your deposit: [Space for Tenant to Fill In].
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name or Property Manager Name]
[Title]
Sample Letter 5: Landlord’s Notice to Terminate Lease (For Cause – Violation of Lease Terms)
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
[Landlord’s Phone Number]
[Landlord’s Email Address]
[Date]
[Tenant’s Name]
[Tenant’s Address]
Subject: Notice to Terminate Lease – [Tenant’s Apartment Number/Address] – Violation of Lease Agreement
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This letter serves as formal notification that we are terminating your lease agreement for the property located at [Tenant’s Apartment Number/Address] effective [Date of Termination]. This termination is due to your violation of the lease agreement, specifically [Clearly state the specific violation, e.g., “unauthorized pet on the property,” “consistent late rent payments,” “damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear”].
[Provide specific details and dates of the violation, referencing the relevant clause in the lease agreement].
You are required to vacate the property on or before [Date of Termination]. Failure to do so may result in legal action, including eviction proceedings. We will conduct a final walkthrough upon your departure. Any damages beyond normal wear and tear will be deducted from your security deposit.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name or Property Manager Name]
[Title]
Sample Letter 6: Tenant Request for Lease Termination Due to Military Deployment
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
Subject: Lease Termination Request Due to Military Deployment – [Your Address]
Dear [Landlord’s Name],
I am writing to request termination of my lease agreement for the property located at [Your Address]. I am a member of the [Branch of Military] and have received official orders for deployment. A copy of my military orders is enclosed with this letter.
According to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), I am entitled to terminate my lease agreement without penalty. My deployment begins on [Deployment Start Date], and I will be vacating the property by [Vacation Date].
Please advise on the procedure for returning the keys and completing a final walkthrough. I also request confirmation regarding the return of my security deposit to [Forwarding Address].
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample Letter 7: Landlord Notice to Enter and Show the Property to Prospective Tenants (Prior to Lease End)
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
[Landlord’s Phone Number]
[Landlord’s Email Address]
[Date]
[Tenant’s Name]
[Tenant’s Address]
Subject: Notice of Intent to Enter Property for Showings – [Tenant’s Address]
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
As your lease agreement for the property located at [Tenant’s Address] is approaching its expiration date on [Lease End Date], we are writing to inform you of our intent to enter the property to show it to prospective tenants.
We will provide at least [Number] hours of notice prior to each showing, as required by [State Law or Lease Agreement]. Showings will generally occur between the hours of [Start Time] and [End Time] on [Days of the Week]. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name or Property Manager Name]
[Title]
Sample Letter 8: Tenant Response to Landlord’s Notice to Enter for Showings (Request for Schedule Changes)
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
Subject: Re: Notice of Intent to Enter Property for Showings – [Your Address]
Dear [Landlord’s Name],
Thank you for providing notice of your intent to enter the property at [Your Address] for showings to prospective tenants. I acknowledge your notification.
While I understand the need to show the property, I would like to request some adjustments to the proposed schedule. The times between [Specific Time] and [Specific Time] on [Days of the Week] are particularly difficult for me due to [Brief Explanation]. Would it be possible to schedule showings outside of these times?
I am happy to cooperate and make the property available; I simply request that we work together to find a mutually convenient schedule. Please contact me to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample Letter 9: Landlord’s Notice to Tenant to Cure Lease Violation (Prior to Termination)
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
[Landlord’s Phone Number]
[Landlord’s Email Address]
[Date]
[Tenant’s Name]
[Tenant’s Address]
Subject: Notice to Cure Lease Violation – [Tenant’s Address]
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
It has come to our attention that you are in violation of your lease agreement for the property located at [Tenant’s Address]. Specifically, you are in violation of [Section of Lease] due to [Detailed Description of the Violation].
You are hereby given [Number] days from the date of this letter to cure the violation. Specifically, you must [Clearly Outline the Steps Required to Correct the Violation].
Failure to cure this violation within the specified timeframe may result in further action, including termination of your lease agreement and eviction proceedings. We urge you to take this matter seriously and address the violation immediately.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name or Property Manager Name]
[Title]
Sample Letter 10: Tenant’s Notice to Terminate Lease Due to Domestic Violence
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number] (Optional)
[Your Email Address] (Optional)
[Date]
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
Subject: Lease Termination Due to Domestic Violence – [Your Address]
Dear [Landlord’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am terminating my lease agreement for the property located at [Your Address] effective [Date of Termination]. I am doing so due to circumstances of domestic violence.
I am providing [Required Documentation as dictated by local law – e.g., a copy of a restraining order, police report, or other documentation verifying the domestic violence]. I understand my rights and responsibilities under [State Statute or Local Ordinance regarding lease termination due to domestic violence].
Please advise on the procedure for returning the keys and completing a final walkthrough. Also, please confirm the process for receiving any remaining portion of my security deposit after any legally permissible deductions. I request that all future communication be directed to [Alternative Contact Information – Optional].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample Letter 11: Mutual Agreement to Terminate Lease
[Landlord’s Name or Property Management Company Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
[Landlord’s Phone Number]
[Landlord’s Email Address]
[Date]
[Tenant’s Name]
[Tenant’s Address]
Subject: Mutual Agreement to Terminate Lease – [Tenant’s Apartment Number/Address]
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This letter confirms our mutual agreement to terminate the lease agreement for the property located at [Tenant’s Apartment Number/Address], effective [Date of Termination].
We agree that [Tenant’s Name] will vacate the premises on or before [Date of Termination] and leave the property in a clean and satisfactory condition, consistent with the original lease agreement.
The security deposit of [Dollar Amount] will be returned to [Tenant’s Name] at [Forwarding Address] within [Number] days of the final walkthrough, less any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear as mutually agreed upon. A final walkthrough will be conducted on [Date] at [Time].
This agreement constitutes a full and final settlement of all claims and obligations arising from the lease agreement. Both parties acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined herein.
Please sign below to indicate your agreement to these terms.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name or Property Manager Name]
[Title]
_______________________________
Signature (Landlord)
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Signature (Tenant)
_______________________________
Date
Disclaimer: These sample lease termination letters are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. It is crucial to consult with an attorney to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws before terminating a lease agreement. The specific terms of your lease and the particular circumstances of your situation will dictate the appropriate course of action. Always send important documents via certified mail with return receipt requested.
