Between packing and planning, moving can be stressful, but knowing how to notify your landlord before you relocate can save you a lot of hassle. Being prepared can make a world of difference, starting with coordinating your timeline with a professional moving company and understanding lease requirements that you must fulfill before handing over the keys. This guide provides some simple tips that you can use to let your landlord know you’re going to be relocating.
Tips to Let Your Landlord Know You’re Moving
It’s an exciting time when you’re getting ready to move on from roommates, buying your first home, or simply upgrading apartments. Regardless, it’s always important to leave a good impression as you go. Delivering a move-out notice to your landlord is a professional courtesy and a means to clearly communicate your intentions. Parting on good terms with your landlord can ensure an excellent rental history and maintain a professional relationship you can use in future rental applications as a reference. With an easy-to-use template and a breakdown of what is required, this handy how-to will help you get started on the unfamiliar path of letting a landlord know you are moving.
What Is a Move-Out Notice?
Also referred to as a notice to vacate, a move-out notice is a written letter to your landlord or property manager. It formally states when you plan to vacate the property and officially terminate the lease. While specifics vary from state to state, a landlord has the legal right to be given proper notice before a tenant vacates the rental property. After you’ve submitted your move-out notice, help simplify the rest of the relocation process by making arrangements with a professional apartment moving service. You can choose to forego the letter, but you may face legal and financial consequences without proper communication with your landlord. Providing a notice is not only the proper course of action, but it may also be required by your lease, making it a legal obligation.
When to Write a Letter to a Landlord About Moving Out
The time required to notify the landlord of leaving depends on the type of lease, with longer lease terms requiring more notice. This gives the landlord adequate time to list the property for rent, wrap up any lease terms, and to start showing the property to prospective renters. If your lease is a month-by-month setup, it is best to deliver the notice at least, if not more than, 30 days prior to the date of the lease termination. For yearly leases, the agreement is to reside until the defined lease end date.
If you do not wish to renew the lease at the end of that term, you have the right to move. Submit the notice at least 30 to 60 days prior to the lease termination date, with some states requiring more than 30 days’ notice. Be sure to check your local laws and, most importantly, the details of your lease agreement for a provided timeframe.
How to Write a Notice to a Landlord
Giving a landlord proper move-out notice is not as daunting as it may seem. Below is a sample template to streamline the process. The letter needs to minimally include this important information.
- The date at the top.
- The landlord or property manager’s name.
- The full property’s address — including the unit number or letter.
- A clear statement declaring you wish to end the lease.
- A desired move-out date and, if possible, a timeframe.
- An expectation that the security deposit be returned to you in full.
- A forwarding address for the security deposit and any delivered mail.
- Lastly, your signature and the signatures of any other residents who are on the lease.
Finally, what should you do with the letter once it’s written? Delivering it by hand is best, but you can mail or turn it in where you deposit the rent checks. Once you are ready for what’s next, contact New City Moving for help with your upcoming relocation. Whether the move is within Chicagoland or you’re heading out of state, our apartment moving pros are here to see that your valued possessions arrive safely at their destination.
Make Relocating Hassle-Free With New City Moving
After you’ve given your landlord proper notice, the next step in the relocating phase is contacting a reputable moving company. At New City Moving, we have the knowledge and experience you can count on to make your move as stress-free as possible. Call us today at 872-314-2148 or request a free online quote now.