What to include in a moving out letter
A moving out letter tells your landlord you are leaving and when. It should state your name, the address of the rental unit, your move-out date, and a forwarding address where they can send your security deposit. The letter does not need to be long — one page is standard. Keep the tone professional and neutral, even if you had problems with the landlord or property.
The letter serves as a written record that you gave notice. Your landlord may need it for their records, and you will want a copy for yours. Some leases require written notice in a specific format, so check your lease before you write to see if there are rules about how notice must be delivered (email, certified mail, in person, or hand-delivered to an office).
Do not use the letter to complain about the property, demand repairs, or air grievances. That is a separate conversation. A moving out letter is purely about the fact and timing of your departure.
Key Takeaways
- Your letter must include the rental address, your move-out date, and a forwarding address for your security deposit.
- Check your lease for notice requirements — some leases specify how many days' notice you must give and how the letter must be delivered.
- Send the letter well before your move-out date, keep a copy for yourself, and request written confirmation that your landlord received it.
- Use a professional tone and do not include complaints or demands in the moving out letter itself.
- If your lease requires certified mail or hand delivery, use that method and keep proof of delivery.
How much notice to give
Most leases require 30 days' notice before you move out. Some require 60 days. Check your lease to see what it says — that is the binding rule between you and your landlord. If your lease does not specify, your state's tenant law sets a minimum, which varies by state. Giving more notice than required is always safer and gives your landlord time to show the unit to new tenants.
Count the days carefully. If your lease says 30 days' notice and you give the letter on March 1st, your move-out date should be April 1st or later. Do not count the day you deliver the letter as day one. Start counting from the next day.
If you are moving out before your lease ends, the letter is especially important because it documents when you told your landlord you were leaving. This protects you if there is a dispute later about whether you gave proper notice.
The format and what to write
Start with the date you are writing the letter. Then write your name, the rental address, and today's date at the top. Address the letter to your landlord or property manager by name if you know it; if not, "Dear [Landlord Name]" or "Dear Property Manager" works.
The body should be three short paragraphs. First, state clearly that you are moving out: "I am writing to inform you that I will be vacating the rental unit at [full address] on [date]." Second, provide your forwarding address: "Please send my security deposit to [your new address]." Third, offer to schedule a move-out inspection if your lease requires one: "I am available for a final walk-through inspection on [dates/times that work for you]."
Close with "Sincerely," your printed name, and your signature. If you are sending it by email, a typed name is fine. Keep the letter to one page. Do not apologize for leaving, do not explain why you are moving, and do not ask questions about your deposit — just state the facts.
How to deliver the letter
Check your lease first. It may require certified mail, hand delivery to a specific office, or email to a specific address. If the lease does not specify, email or hand delivery to your landlord or property manager is standard and fastest. If you hand-deliver it, bring two copies — one for your landlord and one for you to keep.
If you use certified mail, the post office will give you a receipt and tracking number. Keep that receipt. Certified mail proves the landlord received the letter on a specific date, which matters if there is ever a dispute about whether you gave proper notice.
Email is acceptable in most places and leaves a time-stamped record. Send it to the email address your landlord has used to contact you about rent or maintenance. If you have never received email from your landlord, use certified mail instead to be certain they receive it.
What to do after you send it
Keep a copy of the letter for yourself, along with proof that you sent it — the certified mail receipt, the email confirmation, or a photo of the hand-delivered copy with a date stamp. Do not throw away these documents until well after you move out and receive your security deposit.
Follow up in person or by phone a few days later to confirm your landlord received the letter. This is not rude — it is practical. You can say, "I sent you a moving out letter on [date]. Did you receive it?" If they did not, you now know to resend it or use a different method.
If your lease requires a move-out inspection, suggest dates and times in a follow-up message. Document everything in writing — text, email, or a note — so there is a record of when the inspection happened and what condition the unit was in.
Sample moving out letter
Here is a template you can adapt:
[Your name] [Your current address] [Date]
Dear [Landlord or Property Manager Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will be vacating the rental unit at [full address] on [move-out date]. I am providing this notice in accordance with the terms of my lease.
Please send my security deposit to the following address: [your forwarding address]. My phone number is [your number] if you need to reach me.
I am available for a final walk-through inspection at your convenience. Please let me know what dates and times work best.
Thank you.
Sincerely, [Your signature] [Your printed name]
Customize the bracketed sections with your actual information. If your landlord has asked for notice in a specific format or to a specific address, follow those instructions instead.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not send the letter too close to your move-out date. If your lease requires 30 days' notice and you send the letter 10 days before you plan to leave, your landlord may argue you did not give proper notice. Send it as early as you know your move-out date.
Do not assume your landlord received the letter just because you sent it. Follow up. Email can go to spam, and mail can get lost. A quick phone call or text asking, "Did you get my moving out letter?" takes 30 seconds and prevents problems.
Do not include complaints, demands for repairs, or comments about the condition of the unit in the moving out letter. If you have maintenance issues or a dispute about your deposit, handle those in separate communication. The moving out letter is only about the fact and date of your departure.
Do not forget to provide a forwarding address. Your landlord needs it to return your security deposit. If you do not have a permanent address yet, use a family member's address or a mail forwarding service temporarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send the letter by text message?
Text is not ideal because it is straightforward to miss or delete, and there is no formal record. Email or certified mail is better because both create a time-stamped record. If you have been communicating with your landlord by text the whole time, a text is better than nothing, but follow it up with an email or printed letter to be safe.
What if I do not know my exact move-out date yet?
Give your landlord the latest date you might leave. For example, "I will be vacating on or before [date]." This satisfies the notice requirement and gives you flexibility. Once you know the exact date, send a follow-up letter confirming it.
Do I need to give a reason for moving?
No. Your lease does not require you to explain why you are leaving. A straightforward statement that you are moving out is enough. If your landlord asks, you can tell them, but you do not have to volunteer the information in the letter.
What if my landlord does not respond to the letter?
Keep your copy and your proof of delivery. If your landlord does not respond, that does not mean they did not receive it. Move out on the date you stated in the letter, document the condition of the unit with photos, and follow up about your security deposit if you do not receive it within the timeframe your state requires.
Should I mention my security deposit in the letter?
Yes, but only to provide your forwarding address so your landlord knows where to send it. Do not ask questions about deductions or dispute amounts in the moving out letter. That is a separate conversation that happens after you move out.