How to Write a Lease Termination Letter

Whether you’ve come to the end of your apartment lease or commercial lease or want to exercise an early termination clause, write a lease termination letter to give your landlord official notice that you don’t plan to renew the lease. Follow these steps to write a lease termination letter that covers all of the terms and conditions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Indicate in the lease termination letter the date that you plan to move out. Also include the date that the lease agreement began and the length of the lease term so it’s clear to your landlord that you’ve fulfilled the entire term and aren’t subject to early termination penalties.

2. Discuss any penalties that you plan to pay if you’re using an early termination clause. If you’re ending the lease early, write a lease termination letter that lets your landlord know if you’ll be paying the remaining rental amount in full, along with any additional fees.

3. Ask to schedule a walk through of your apartment or commercial property before your move-out date. The walk through will allow your landlord to inspect the area for damage to determine the amount of the security deposit you’ll get back. List the dates you’ll be available in the lease termination letter.

4. List the dates that you’ll have the utilities turned off so your landlord will be able to arrange new services for property showings or for future tenants. Write a lease termination letter that also outlines when you’ll return the keys and where your landlord can send your security deposit or future documents.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if your landlord didn’t ask for a lease termination letter, submit one anyway in case your lease agreement has an automatic renewal clause. Such a clause will cause your lease to roll over into another term automatically unless you provide a lease termination letter well in advance of the end date, typically 30 days before the end of the apartment lease or commercial lease.

[cosmopinkice]

on 2/24/2009 Great advice! Anyone who rents needs to know this. I got in trouble with a lease when I was in college and it was a nightmare!