Check the notice window first
Open your lease and find the renewal or notice clause. Many leases require non-renewal notice 30, 45, or 60 days before the end date, and some auto-renew for a full new term if neither party speaks up. Your letter should land inside that window and reference the clause — that single sentence is what defeats an auto-renewal argument later.
If your lease already rolled over
Where a fixed term quietly converted to month-to-month, the state's periodic-tenancy rules now govern, and your letter is effectively a notice to vacate with the state's notice period and counting rules. Find your state's exact rule in the deadline table.
What to include
- Lease start and end dates, and the property address with unit.
- A plain statement that you will not renew and will vacate by the end date (or the computed date, if converted).
- Reference to the lease's notice clause, confirming this letter satisfies it.
- Forwarding address for the deposit, key return, and an inspection offer.
- A request for written confirmation that no renewal will occur.
Non-renewal, done in writing, on time
References your lease clause, computes any required date, and reserves your deposit rights.
Create My Notice — $9Common questions
Do I need to send a non-renewal letter if my lease just ends?
Often yes. Many leases auto-renew or convert to month-to-month unless one party gives written notice within a stated window — commonly 30 to 60 days before the end date. Silence can cost you another term or convert you to a pricier month-to-month rate.
My lease already rolled into month-to-month. Which rules apply?
Once a fixed-term lease converts, your state's periodic-tenancy notice rules govern — the same deadlines as a standard notice to vacate. See our state table for your number and how it's counted.
Should the letter mention my security deposit?
Yes. Include a forwarding address and expressly reserve your rights under the state's deposit statute. It marks you as a tenant who knows the rules, which measurably improves how deposits come back.
WriteMyNotice.com is a self-help document preparation service, not a law firm, and this page is general information, not legal advice. Statutes change and leases can require more notice than state law — always check your lease and, for significant matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state. Statute references verified June 2026.