Apartment Lease Termination Letter

There are many legitimate reasons for terminating an apartment lease. You may be moving out of the area or desire to move to a new place that is better suited to your needs. In some cases, the apartment may become unlivable due to maintenance, structural or environmental conditions. Regardless of the reason, an apartment lease termination letter serves the property owner with official notice of your intent and helps to protect your legal rights.

Format and Content

Take the time to read your lease contract thoroughly before writing your letter. If you are ending the lease early your letter should include the specific reasons why you have decided to move. Include the date you plan to move your forwarding address and the date you would like to schedule a move-out inspection of the rental property. Address the letter to the apartment owner or manager. Format the letter in a logical order and use a professional tone. Leave out unnecessary negative information unless you are using it as justification for the early termination of your lease.

Sample

In this sample lease termination letter the tenant informs the apartment owner of his intention to vacate the apartment due to unsafe living conditions. The renter specifically mentions the dates he communicated his concerns to the apartment manager and the results of these conversations. The renter acknowledges that he is terminating his lease before the agreed date; however, he gives detailed examples to justify his decision.

Dear Mrs. Spray,

I am writing to inform you that I will be vacating my apartment, Unit 3A, and will no longer be a tenant as of May 1, 2013. My lease is in effect until September 1, 2013. However, I feel that living at Hillside Apartments is detrimental to my health and safety due to the ongoing problems with the apartment unit and within the apartment complex. I have communicated my concerns to you numerous times and have received no response from your office. I am detailing these concerns below.

I moved into the apartment on February 5, 2013. During the move-ininspection, you stated the following items would be fixed immediately: 2 missing knobs on the stovetop/oven unit; a leak in the plumbing under the bathtub in the bathroom; a hole in the drywall in the living room; and the infestation of ants in the kitchen and bathroom areas. On February 20, 2013, I went to the office to inform you that none of these items had been fixed. I communicated the same to you in person on February 25, March 1, and March 10. On April 20, 2013, I sent you a certified letter that detailed my concerns in writing; however, the items were still not fixed.

As you know, my unit is located in a building on the east side of the property in an area that is dark and somewhat isolated from the rest of the apartment complex. Before movingin, I asked you about property security. You assured me that it was a safe and secure complex with no history of criminal activity. On April 13, 2013, my car was vandalized in the parking lot. The police officer who responded to my call informed me that the complex was well known to the police as a high crime area.

It is my belief that apartment management has failed to live up to the terms of the lease agreement, thereby deeming the contract null and void. I would like to schedule a move-outinspection with you on April 30, 2013. Due to management negligence, I believe I am entitled to the full refund of my deposit. I am sending a copy of this letter to the owner of the property. If you have any questions you may contact me at (555)-555-5555. Please note that I am fully prepared to defend my rights and to present my case in a court of law.

Respectfully,

Brian Moore

Mr. Brian Moore