When you’ve been living in an apartment or a rented home for a while, you can easily start to feel restless or like it’s time for a change. Even after just a year, you might be unhappy with your living situation and feel the need to move or otherwise explore other options to upgrade your apartment or living experience. Maybe you’re moving on with your life and even looking to buy a new home by yourself – the possibilities are endless!
No matter what your reason is for wanting to move out of your current rental situation, it’s important to know how to properly give your landlord notice, while also leaving a good impression just in case you’ll need them as a reference later on.
How to Properly Put in Notice
Establishing clear and concise communication with your landlord is the key to making sure that not only your existing living situation is a positive one, but also that you retain a good relationship with your former landlord after you move on to other properties, whether rented or owned. So how does putting in your moving notice work?
Well, putting in your moving notice can be different from lease to lease or landlord to landlord, but there are some general rules or etiquette involved in the process. First of all, ALWAYS give your landlord notice if you intend to move out, and always do it well ahead of the end of your lease. Not only is this a professional courtesy and a motion of respect between the two of you, but leases often stipulate a certain time period that notice of moving needs to be given by before your lease either automatically renews on its own, or a time period where you’ll be penalized or charged if your notice is given after then.
To avoid souring your relationship with your existing landlord, avoid being charged or penalized in some way, and just to get it out of the way, make sure to give your landlord at least 60-90 days notice before the end of your lease term if you intend to move out. Your exact time parameters should be stipulated on your lease as well.
Writing Your Move Out Notice
Whether done over email, by mail, or in person, it’s important to draft a move out notice (or a plan for breaking the news to your landlord) ahead of time. If you do not intend to renew your lease, putting in your notice isn’t as hard or as awkward as you would think. This is a business relationship, after all.
Make sure to keep your notice professional and lay out your email or notice correctly. Include your name, date, your landlord or property manager’s name, and the home or unit’s full address within the notice.
Include a clear statement as to your termination or non-renewal of the lease, and include your intended move-out date (if you have one ahead of the end of your agreed lease). If you intend to move out early, know that you will be expected to continue your regular agreed to payments as disclosed and agreed upon in your lease.
Next, include your expectations as to the return of your security deposit, and include an address they can send a check to or information as to how they can return that to you in your move out notice. Also include a forwarding address (if you have one already) for mail or any future correspondence.
What Next?
Now that you’ve put in your notice with your landlord, it’s time to look for the right movers to get you to your new home or apartment with ease. Not sure where to look? Contact Able Moving to receive the best moving experience possible.
