Notice to vacate: timing and delivery.

A Notice to Vacate is your written notice that you're ending the lease. It's required so management can prepare the unit for the next resident and avoid misunderstandings about whether you're staying.

Typical notice periods:

• Fixed-term lease (e.g. a 1-year lease ending) — most commonly 60 days before the lease-end date. Some leases require 30 or 90.
• Month-to-month tenancy — usually 30 to 60 days.
• Subsidized / rent-controlled / affordable — may have additional program requirements. Always check.

Local law and your specific lease can override the typical numbers. When in doubt, read the lease first.

"Written" can mean a signed letter, an email, or a specific portal form. Your lease (or local jurisdiction) may define what's valid.

Delivery methods that leave a paper trail:

• Hand-delivery — with a photo of the signed-received page or a witness
• Certified mail — keep the receipt
• Email — with sent timestamp, recipients, and a confirmation reply
• Resident portal — screenshot the submission and any confirmation number
• Required landlord form — keep a copy of the completed form

Ask for confirmation. Don't just send it. Request written acknowledgement and save it.

1. Read your lease. Note the notice period, required method, and any auto-renewal clause.
2. Calculate your due-by date. Count back from the lease end date.
3. Address the notice clearly — your name, unit, notice date, move-out date.
4. Submit via the required method. If your lease says a specific form, use it.
5. Ask for acknowledgement. "Please confirm receipt of this written notice."
6. Save everything. Screenshots, emails, receipts, portal confirmations — all part of your Move-Out History.