A notice to vacate—also known as a notice of intent to vacate—is a written notice or letter from a tenant to the landlord or the landlord’s property management agent that the tenant will not be renewing the lease when it expires.

The terminology used in a state’s statutes, court opinions, and practices may vary from state to state, but a landlord can also give a tenant a notice to vacate—also known as a 30-day notice, 60-day notice, 90-day notice, 3-day notice, or notice to quit. The landlord may give the tenant notice to vacate due to the upcoming expiration of the lease term or due to a material (significant) breach of the lease agreement or the tenant’s violation of a law.

A tenant or landlord should read the lease agreement carefully before giving a notice to vacate or notice of intent to vacate to comply with the specific requirements of such a notice. In addition to the terms of the lease agreement, state and local laws may provide the circumstances and process for giving notice to vacate. These laws are usually located in a state’s statutes and in city and municipal codes and ordinances.

In Connecticut, a notice to vacate is a formal communication from a tenant to a landlord, or vice versa, indicating the intention to end the rental agreement. For tenants, this typically means they will not be renewing their lease upon its expiration. The specific time frame required for such a notice is often stipulated in the lease agreement itself. Connecticut law requires that tenants provide at least one rental period's notice, usually one month, before vacating. On the other hand, landlords can issue a notice to vacate for various reasons, including lease expiration, significant lease violations, or illegal activity by the tenant. The duration of the notice can vary: a 3-day notice for serious violations, or a more standard 30-day or 60-day notice for lease termination or non-renewal, depending on the terms of the lease and the situation. Both parties should consult the lease and relevant state statutes, which can be found in the Connecticut General Statutes, and local ordinances for specific requirements regarding notices to vacate to ensure legal compliance.