Lease Non-Renewal Letter
A lease non-renewal letter tells the other side that a fixed-term lease will end on its end date and won't be renewed or extended. Landlords and tenants both send them. Timing matters most, because many leases renew automatically or turn into month-to-month if nobody gives notice in time.
Why send a non-renewal letter
In many states, a fixed-term lease ends on its own on the end date. In practice, many leases say otherwise. Some renew automatically for another term. Others convert to month-to-month. Many require written notice 30, 60 or more days before the end date. A clear letter sent on time removes any doubt about what happens when the lease ends.
Some states and cities also require landlords to give advance notice before a lease ends, even when the lease is silent. Check the table below and your local rules.
When to send it
Look for the renewal and notice sections in your lease. Count back from the lease end date by the notice period required, and send the letter before that date with a few days to spare. If the lease says nothing, use at least the state minimum for ending a month-to-month tenancy.
Tenants: if you plan to move, send your letter early. If you miss the deadline, an auto-renewal clause may lock you into another term.
Landlords: non-renewal may need a reason
A few states, including California for many units after 12 months under AB 1482, Oregon, Washington and New Jersey, and many cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Portland (Oregon) and Washington, DC, treat non-renewal like any other termination. The landlord needs a legal reason (just cause), and some no-fault reasons require relocation payments.
Everywhere, a landlord can't refuse to renew in retaliation, such as after a tenant asks for repairs or contacts a housing inspector, or for a discriminatory reason under the federal Fair Housing Act and state law. Subsidized housing has its own rules. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What to include
- Date, names of all tenants and the landlord, and the full rental address
- The lease start and end dates
- A plain statement that the lease will not be renewed
- The date the tenant must be out, usually the lease end date
- Landlords: the reason, if required where you are
- Tenants: a forwarding address and a request for a move-out inspection
- Signature and contact details
Delivery and proof
Use the method in the lease's notices clause. If none is listed, hand delivery with a signed receipt or certified mail with a return receipt are easy to prove. Landlords serving tenants can also use any method state law accepts for notices. Keep a copy and record how and when it was delivered.
Common mistakes and what happens next
The common errors are sending the letter after the lease's notice deadline, forgetting that the lease auto-renews, leaving a co-tenant off, and, for landlords, giving no reason where one is required.
If the tenant stays after the lease ends and the landlord keeps accepting rent, many states treat it as a new month-to-month tenancy. If the landlord wants possession and the tenant doesn't leave, the next step is an eviction case, never a lockout. If you'd rather not draft it yourself, our form fills in your state's notice period and produces a print-ready PDF.
Sample lease non-renewal letter (landlord to tenant)
[DATE] To: [TENANT FULL NAME(S)] [STREET ADDRESS, UNIT], [CITY], [STATE] [ZIP] Re: Notice of lease non-renewal Your lease for the premises above, dated [LEASE START DATE], ends on [LEASE END DATE]. This letter is notice that the lease will not be renewed or extended. Please move out and return all keys by [LEASE END DATE]. [IF REQUIRED: The reason for non-renewal is (STATE THE REASON). (ADD ANY REQUIRED RELOCATION ASSISTANCE STATEMENT.)] Please contact me to schedule a move-out inspection, and send me a forwarding address in writing. Your security deposit will be returned as required by [STATE] law. [LANDLORD NAME] [SIGNATURE] [PHONE / EMAIL]
Sample lease non-renewal letter (tenant to landlord)
[DATE] To: [LANDLORD OR PROPERTY MANAGER NAME] [LANDLORD MAILING ADDRESS] Re: Non-renewal of lease for [STREET ADDRESS, UNIT], [CITY], [STATE] [ZIP] My lease ends on [LEASE END DATE]. This letter is my notice, under section [NUMBER] of the lease, that I will not renew it. I will move out and return all keys by [LEASE END DATE]. Please let me know when we can schedule a move-out inspection. Send my security deposit to: [FORWARDING ADDRESS]. [TENANT NAME] [SIGNATURE] [PHONE / EMAIL]
How much notice a landlord gives, by state
Minimum written notice a landlord must give to end a month-to-month tenancy without a specific reason. In just-cause states a landlord needs a legal reason, so a no-reason notice does not work for most tenancies.
| State | Landlord notice (month-to-month) | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 30 days | Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b) |
| Alaska | 30 days | Alaska Stat. § 34.03.290(b) |
| Arizona | 30 days | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1375(B) |
| Arkansas | 30 days | Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-704 |
| California | 30 days (cause usually required) | Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(c) |
| Colorado | 21 days (cause usually required) | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-107(1); § 38-12-1302 |
| Connecticut | 3 days | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23(a)-(c) |
| Delaware | 60 days | 25 Del. C. § 5106(d) |
| District of Columbia | Just cause required | D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 |
| Florida | 30 days | Fla. Stat. § 83.57(3) |
| Georgia | 60 days | O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7 |
| Hawaii | 45 days | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-71(a) |
| Idaho | 30 days | Idaho Code § 55-208(1) ("not less than one (1) month") |
| Illinois | 30 days | 735 ILCS 5/9-207(b) |
| Indiana | 30 days | Ind. Code § 32-31-1-1(a) ("one (1) month notice in writing") |
| Iowa | 30 days | Iowa Code § 562A.34(2) |
| Kansas | 30 days | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2570(b) |
| Kentucky | 30 days | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.695(2) (URLTA jurisdictions); Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.195 (one month, non-URLTA jurisdictions) |
| Louisiana | 10 days | La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2) |
| Maine | 30 days | 14 M.R.S. § 6002(1) |
| Maryland | 60 days | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402(c)(2)(i) |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, §§ 12-13 |
| Michigan | 30 days | MCL 554.134(1); MCL 600.5714(1)(c)(iii) |
| Minnesota | 30 days | Minn. Stat. § 504B.135 |
| Mississippi | 30 days | Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-19(3) |
| Missouri | 30 days | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.060.1, .4(1) |
| Montana | 30 days | Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-441(2) |
| Nebraska | 30 days | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1437(2) |
| Nevada | 30 days | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 40.251(1)(a)(2), (1)(b)(1)(II) |
| New Hampshire | 30 days (cause usually required) | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540:2, I; 540:3, II |
| New Jersey | Just cause required | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-61.1 (no-cause termination barred); § 2A:18-56(b) (one month, exempt properties only) |
| New Mexico | 30 days | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 47-8-37(B) |
| New York | 30 days | N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 226-c(2) (applied to NYC month-to-month tenancies by § 232-a) |
| North Carolina | 7 days | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14 |
| North Dakota | 30 days | N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-15(2) |
| Ohio | 30 days | Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(B) |
| Oklahoma | 30 days | Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 111(A) |
| Oregon | 30 days (cause usually required) | Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.427(3)(b) (only during the first year of occupancy) |
| Pennsylvania | 15 days | 68 P.S. § 250.501(b) |
| Rhode Island | 30 days | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(b) |
| South Carolina | 30 days | S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-770(b) |
| South Dakota | 30 days | S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-15 |
| Tennessee | 30 days | Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-512(b) (URLTA counties) |
| Texas | 30 days | Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001(a)-(b) |
| Utah | 15 days | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-802(1)(b)(i) |
| Vermont | 60 days | 9 V.S.A. § 4467(c)(1)(A) (no written rental agreement); § 4467(e) (written agreement: 30 days) |
| Virginia | 30 days | Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1253(A) |
| Washington | Just cause required | Rev. Code Wash. § 59.18.650(1)(a) |
| West Virginia | 30 days | W. Va. Code § 37-6-5 (notice for one full rental period) |
| Wisconsin | 28 days | Wis. Stat. § 704.19(3) |
| Wyoming | Not set by statute | - |
Statutes checked October 2026. Cities and counties can add longer periods or require a reason (for example Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Seattle, Portland and Washington DC). Open your state's page for details and sources. General information, not legal advice.
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Start the formQuestions people ask
How far in advance should I send a non-renewal letter?
As far ahead as your lease requires, often 30 or 60 days before the end date. If the lease is silent, use at least your state's month-to-month notice period, shown in the table below.
Does a landlord have to give a reason for not renewing?
In most states, no. In just-cause states and cities, yes, and the reason must be one the law allows.
What if I don't send a non-renewal letter?
Depending on the lease and state, the lease may renew for another term, convert to month-to-month, or simply end. Read your lease rather than guessing.
Can a landlord refuse to renew because I asked for repairs?
Most states prohibit retaliation, and many presume retaliation if a landlord acts against a tenant shortly after a repair request or complaint. Contact local legal aid if you think this is happening.
Is a non-renewal letter the same as a notice to vacate?
They do similar jobs. A non-renewal letter ends a fixed-term lease at its end date. A notice to vacate usually ends a month-to-month tenancy.