How to Write a 60-Day Notice to Vacate (And Sample Template)

Dealing with unruly or inconsiderate tenants who’ve violated your lease? Or maybe you’ve decided on a new use for your property? Sometimes, rentals simply don’t work out—when that happens, you’ll need to issue a 60-day notice to vacate.

It might feel overwhelming or awkward at first, especially if you’re new to property management or haven’t dealt with this process before. But a readily accessible template you can tailor can make it quick and stress-free.

We’re walking you through how to write a 60-day notice to vacate, plus a few sample templates to get you started.

Quick Insights

• A 60-day notice to vacate is a formal letter landlords use to end a month-to-month lease or longer tenancy, often without needing to give a reason.

• To keep the process clear and compliant, include key details, such as tenant and landlord names, the property address, lease terms, move-out instructions, and final rent amounts.

• State and local regulations around eviction notices vary—double-check any laws before sending anything to protect your rights.

• Be professional and polite in your notice to avoid unnecessary conflict, even if the tenancy is ending due to bad tenant behavior or violations.

• You can start a formal eviction process if a tenant refuses to leave after 60 days.

What is a 60-Day Notice to Vacate

A 60-day notice to vacate is a formal, legal document a landlord or property manager gives a tenant, informing them they must leave the property by a specific date, which is at least 60 days away. 

You may issue a 60-day notice to vacate for various reasons, including:

• You’re unhappy with your residents
• You want to sell the property
• You plan to move into the unit yourself
• You want to make significant renovations to the property
• You’re taking the property off the rental market

It’s best to give tenants this notice as early as possible to ensure a smooth move-out process and to allow some buffer time if any hiccups or conflicts arise. If the resident refuses to leave within the 60-day timeframe, you may escalate the issue to an eviction.

When a 60-Day Notice is Appropriate vs. Other Notices

Landlords usually issue a 60-day notice to vacate when they want to end a month-to-month lease agreement or if the tenant has been renting the property for more than a year.

But the rules aren’t the same everywhere—different states require shorter or longer notices. For example, if a tenant has been renting from you for more than 12 months, you’ll be required to send a 60-day notice. Shorter tenancies may only require a 30-day notice. 

And for cities with rent control ordinances (government policies that restrict rental rates), you need to provide a “just cause” for eviction.

If you’re in a state that requires a shorter notice period, but you still issue the 60-day notice to vacate, you’ll need to honor the 60 days and give tenants that long to leave.

Pro tip: Always check your local laws and lease agreement terms before choosing an eviction notice letter to ensure it’s right for your situation. 

Key Elements of a Written 60-Day Notice to Vacate

Before you start writing your notice, make sure you include:

• The tenant’s full name and address
• The landlord’s full name and address
• The date you sent the notice
• Why the lease is ending
• A move-out date
• A reminder of any contractual duties
• Any extra instructions or next steps
• The landlord or property manager’s signature

Providing all this information in a clear and easy-to-read format usually results in a smooth, legally compliant process and helps avoid challenges and disputes. 

How to Write a 60-Day Notice to Vacate

Not sure where to get started? Our step-by-step guide breaks down how to write a clear and formal 60-day notice to vacate letter that clarifies why and when the tenancy will end.

1. Start with the Basics

Start fresh by writing down all the essential details about your property and notice, including:

• Current date
• Tenant name(s)
• Landlord name(s)
• Property address
• Lease details

These details must be included to give the tenant crystal-clear, precise information about the lease, when the notice was sent, and any other facts they have a legal right to know.

If you omit any of this information, the tenant could claim that the notice wasn’t accurate or clear enough for them to understand. This could give them the grounds to challenge it. 

You don’t have to explain why the tenant is required to move out, but we suggest doing so. Being direct about why they need to leave provides clarity and avoids any potential confusion or time-consuming eviction processes. 

2. Provide Exact Notice and Move-Out Instructions

Inform the tenant exactly how long they can stay at your rental property. You have discretion to offer more than two months (60 days).

Let’s say you plan to renovate the property and are not issuing the notice because of tenant issues. As a kindness, you may want to offer a longer move-out period.

Provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step details on how the tenant can deliver the keys and what condition you expect the property to be in.

For example, does the lease state that they’ll need to pay for repairs beyond normal wear and tear? What will happen if they leave their belongings behind? Be clear and let them know you’re willing to answer any questions they have about the process.

3. Break Down How Much Rent They Owe

Share exactly how much rent your tenant owes you. If their move-out day is in the middle of a rental period, calculate the prorated amount and note how much they owe and the due date.

Share this upfront increases the chances you’ll get your final month’s rent payment. But be careful—if a resident overpays you and you accept it, they could have legal grounds to stay on the property longer.

Only accept the rent money you’re owed—nothing more.

4. Provide Details About the Security Deposit

Remind your renter how much they paid as the security deposit before they moved in and where you’re currently holding that money. State laws may vary, but you must generally include this information in your 60-day notice to vacate.

Let the resident know that you’ll provide them with a breakdown of any deductions from the security deposit within the 60-day timeframe. Again, the exact number of days you have to do this depends on your state and local laws, so be sure to check. 

5. Close Out the Notice

Conclude the letter by sharing dates and times you’d be available for a final inspection of the property and how the renter can contact you if they have any questions.

It’s good practice to explain why you won’t renew the lease or extend the month-to-month tenancy, but you don’t have to. You might prefer to include this section at the beginning of the letter before you dive into the specific details of the move—it’s up to you. 

Even if you’re evicting your tenant due to violations, always keep a professional tone to avoid conflict. It’s a potentially tough situation, but clear communication and a calm demeanor can make it a smooth process.

Sign the letter and date it. Then, post the letter according to your state’s delivery laws. In most areas, you need to deliver the notice directly to the resident or by certified mail.

Pro tip: Keep proof of delivery in case the tenant claims they didn’t receive it. It could protect you against any legal claims.

Tips For Writing a Notice to Vacate Letter

Now that you know what to include in your 60-day notice to vacate, here are a few tips to make it as effective as possible:

Use clear language. Avoid complex language or property jargon. The clearer and easier the letter is to understand, the better. Focus on the essential information and avoid any unnecessary details.

Be polite. Make sure your letter is professional and polite. Your notice or letter isn’t the place to bring up complaints or settle any past issues with your tenant.

Check the legal requirements. Double-check any legal requirements and state- or city-specific laws for the notice. If you’re still unsure or concerned about any part of the process, speak with legal counsel to get expert advice.

Be transparent. Be as open and honest as possible when addressing the security deposit or final inspection details. This will protect you and make the process more straightforward for everyone.

60-Day Notice to Vacate Template

Customize one of these ready-to-use 60-day notice templates to save time and stress. Or use them as inspiration to create your own template.

• 60-day Notice To Vacate Template By Equal Housing Opportunity

• Sample Notice To Vacate Letter From Landlord To Tenant By Law District
• Landlord’s Notice To Terminate Month-To-Month Tenancy Template by NY Courts

Here’s a ready-to-use template you can use as a base and add any other details you want the tenant to know:

[Landlord’s full name]

[Phone number]

[Email]

[Landlord’s address]

[City, state, zip code]

[Today’s date]

[Tenant’s name]

[Property name or address]

[City, state, zip code]

 

Re: Notice to Vacate

 

Dear [Tenant’s name],

 

Through this letter, I kindly request you to quit and vacate the property at [property full address] on [DD/MM/YYYY]. Use this letter as my written 60-day notice to vacate, as required by law. Therefore, you will vacate the property and terminate the lease signed and agreed upon on [DD/MM/YYYY].

 

Although the Lease Agreement should terminate on the day [DD/MM/YYYY], you must leave the property before that because of the following reasons: 

——————————————————————————————————————

——————————————————————————————————————

——————————————————————————————————————

——————————————————————————————————————.

Notified of the above, I would like to schedule a walk-through and inspection of the property to check if there are damages that fall outside normal wear and tear. If there is any damage to the property, your security deposit will be refunded after adjusting for repair expenses. Please, feel free to contact me by calling [phone number].

 

Sincerely,

 

[Landlord’s name and signature]

What Should You Do if the Tenant Refuses to Leave?

If the tenant remains on the property beyond the specified date after you’ve issued a 60-day notice to vacate, you can legally start eviction proceedings.

Eviction laws vary by state and locality, so it’s crucial you understand and follow the specific legal requirements in your area. 

Typically, if a renter doesn’t comply with the notice, you can file an official eviction lawsuit, often known as an unlawful detainer action. This legal process seeks a court order to remove the tenant from your property officially. 

Both you and the tenant can present your cases in court, so come prepared and gather the right documents, including:

• The lease agreement
• Documented communication with the tenant
• The 60-day notice to vacate

You’ll receive a writ of possession if the court rules in your favor. This court order authorizes law enforcement to remove the tenant if they still refuse to leave.

Evictions can be expensive, difficult, and emotionally draining for everyone. If you can, try to avoid them and follow strict legal protocols so you can speed up the eviction process.

Manage Lease Endings Smoothly

Sending a 60-day notice isn’t the same as evicting a tenant—but it can lead to an eviction if they refuse to stick to the deadline. That’s why getting the process right from the beginning is vital.

Providing a clear, well-written 60-day notice to vacate sets expectations and potentially helps you avoid the eviction process. Try out our simple, customizable notice template to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.

Want to avoid difficult renters and lease endings altogether? Snappt can help you spot fraudulent rental applications before they become a bigger problem, weeding out problem tenants from the start.