30-Day Notice Checklist: How to Write One to Leave Your Apartment (2025 Edition)

Why This Checklist Matters

Leaving an apartment shouldn’t feel like navigating a legal maze. Whether your lease is up, you're going month-to-month, or life just threw you a curveball, writing a 30-day notice is the first step to moving out on the right terms.

This checklist walks you through exactly how to write a 30-day notice for your apartment, no legal speak, no guesswork.

Use it to:

• Avoid extra rent or legal trouble

• Keep your security deposit safe

• Move out without burning bridges

Need help fast? The free Eviction Assistant gives you step-by-step, AI-guided help based on your exact situation.

Pre-Notice Prep: Before You Write

✅ Check your lease terms
Is your lease fixed-term or month-to-month? Some require more than 30 days' notice, or notice on the 1st of the month.

✅ Know your local laws
In some places, tenants must give notice in writing and landlords must respond within a set time. Use Eviction Assistant to get state-specific info instantly.

✅ Choose your move-out date wisely
Make sure you’re giving a full 30 days, not 30 business days or partial months. If today’s the 15th, your move-out should be on the 14th of next month.

✅ Line up your next move
It’s easier to plan your exit (and deposit return) when your next place is locked in.

During Notice: Writing + Sending It

✅ Start with the basics
Include:

• Your full name and address

• Today's date

• Landlord’s name and address (check your lease for correct info)

✅ Say it clearly
Use plain language like:
“I am providing 30 days’ notice to vacate the apartment at [your address]. My final day will be [exact date].”

✅ Add forwarding details
Let them know where to send your deposit or any final communication.

✅ Make a copy
Always save a copy, physical or digital, for your records.

✅ Send it the right way
Drop it off in person, send it by certified mail, or email it if your lease allows. Bonus: Eviction Assistant can help format the message and check if the email is valid in your state.

If you're unsure whether a 30-day notice is required, this FAQ about eviction notices can help clarify the process.

Post-Notice Follow-Ups

✅ Confirm receipt
Ask for written acknowledgment so there's no “I never got it” later.

✅ Document your condition
Take photos/videos of your cleaned unit to protect your deposit.

✅ Return keys properly
Ask when and how to hand them over, this varies by landlord.

✅ Request final inspection
In some states, you have a right to walk through with your landlord and fix issues before they charge you.

✅ Track your deposit timeline
Laws vary, some states give landlords 21 days to return your deposit, others allow 30+.

Bonus: Download or Try It Instantly

Want to make sure your 30-day notice is solid, and legal in your state?

Try Eviction Assistant,  the free AI tool that walks you through the entire process in plain English.
Just answer a few questions, and it drafts your notice and checks state laws in seconds.

✅ It’s free
✅ Works for tenants or landlords
✅ Gives peace of mind, fast