Send your moving-out notice in writing, with specific dates and contact information

Your landlord needs written notice that you are leaving—email works, but a printed letter you keep a copy of is safer. The email should state your move-out date, your forwarding address, and how to reach you after you leave. Most leases require 30 days' notice, though some require 60 days or more; check your lease first. Send the email to the address or person listed in your lease, not to a property manager or maintenance worker unless the lease says to.

The tone should be straightforward and professional. You are not asking permission; you are informing your landlord of a fact. Keep it brief—one or two short paragraphs. Do not over-explain your reasons for leaving, apologize for the inconvenience, or make promises about the condition of the unit. Those details belong in a separate walkthrough conversation, not in the notice itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your lease specifies how many days' notice you must give; check it before you write, because sending notice too late can cost you rent money.
  • Email counts as written notice, but print and keep a copy for your records in case there is a dispute later.
  • Include your move-out date, your forwarding address, and a phone number where you can be reached after you leave.
  • Send the notice to the address listed in your lease, and keep the sent email as proof you delivered it on time.
  • A separate conversation about the unit's condition and your security deposit return belongs after the notice, not in it.

Check your lease for the notice period and the correct recipient

Before you write anything, open your lease and find the section on termination or move-out. It will say how many days' notice you must give—usually 30 days, sometimes 60. Count forward from today to find your actual move-out date. If your lease says 30 days and you email on the 15th, your move-out date is the 15th of the following month, not sooner.

The lease also tells you where to send the notice. Some leases say "to the landlord at [address]," others say "to the property manager," and some say "certified mail only." Follow what your lease says. If the lease does not specify, send it to the address where you pay rent or where the landlord's name appears on the lease.

Write a clear subject line and opening sentence

Use a subject line that is straightforward to find later: "Notice of Move-Out" or "30-Day Notice to Vacate" works. Do not use "Question about my lease" or "Rent payment"—those get buried in a busy inbox.

Start with your name, your unit number, and your move-out date in the first sentence. Example: "I am writing to notify you that I will be vacating the unit at 456 Oak Street, Apartment 3B, on June 30, 2024." This tells the landlord everything they need in one sentence. Then add your forwarding address and a phone number where you can be reached after you move.

Include the details a landlord needs to process your departure

After the opening, add three pieces of information: your forwarding address (where the landlord should send your security deposit), a phone number, and the best time to reach you. Example: "Please send my security deposit to 789 Maple Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701. You can reach me at 555-0123 through June 30, and after that at 555-0124."

Do not include a list of repairs you want done, complaints about the unit, or requests for the landlord to do anything before you leave. Those belong in a separate email or conversation. The move-out notice is just the notice—it tells the landlord you are leaving and how to contact you.

Send the email and keep proof you sent it

Send the email from an account you can access later. Do not send it from a work email you will lose access to, or from a friend's account. Use your personal email so you can retrieve the sent message if you need proof months later.

After you send it, take a screenshot of the sent email showing the date, time, recipient, and subject line. Save it to your computer or phone. If your landlord later claims they never received notice, you have proof you sent it on time. Some landlords ask for certified mail instead of email; if yours does, send the email anyway and also mail a printed copy via certified mail with return receipt.

Follow up if you do not hear back within a week

A landlord does not have to reply to your notice, but they should acknowledge it. If a week passes and you have not heard anything, send a follow-up email: "I sent a move-out notice on [date]. I wanted to confirm you received it. My move-out date is [date]." Keep this follow-up email too.

If the landlord still does not respond, that is not your problem—you have done what the lease requires. But the follow-up email creates a second record of your notice, which is useful if there is a dispute about your deposit or whether you gave proper notice.

Schedule a walkthrough and discuss the security deposit separately

After the landlord receives your notice, they may ask to schedule a walkthrough of the unit before you leave. This is normal and separate from the move-out notice. During the walkthrough, you and the landlord document the condition of the unit, take photos, and discuss what repairs or cleaning might affect your security deposit return.

Do not try to handle deposit or repair questions in the move-out email itself. The notice is just the notice. Once the landlord has it, you can have a separate conversation about the unit's condition, what you will clean before you leave, and when you expect the deposit to be returned. Most states require the landlord to return the deposit within 30 to 45 days of move-out, though the exact timeline varies by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my lease requires more than 30 days' notice?

Count the days forward from the date you send the email. If your lease says 60 days and you email on March 1, your move-out date is May 1. Sending notice late can mean you owe rent for extra days even if you have already moved. Check your lease before you write.

Can I give notice by text message instead of email?

Text is riskier because it is straightforward to lose or dispute. Email is better because both of you have a record. If your lease does not specify the method, email is safer than text, and certified mail is safer than email. Use the method your lease requires.

Should I explain why I am moving?

No. The notice does not need to say why you are leaving. A straightforward statement of your move-out date is enough. If the landlord asks, you can explain, but the notice itself should be factual and brief.

What if I need to break my lease early?

Early termination is different from a normal move-out. Check your lease for the early termination clause, which usually requires extra notice or a penalty. You may also want to contact your landlord to discuss whether they will waive the penalty or let you find a replacement tenant. This conversation happens before or alongside the notice, not in the notice itself.

Do I need to tell the landlord when I will pick up my keys?

You can mention it in the email or in a follow-up message, but it is not required in the formal notice. Example: "I will return my keys on June 30 by 5 p.m." Keep it straightforward and stick to the date you say.