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 Maryland, a notice to vacate is a formal communication from a tenant to a landlord indicating the tenant's intention to leave the rental property at the end of the lease term. Similarly, landlords can issue a notice to vacate to tenants for various reasons, such as lease expiration, lease violations, or other legal grounds. The specific time frame for these notices can vary depending on the terms of the lease and Maryland state law. For example, Maryland law typically requires a landlord to provide one month's notice for tenants who pay rent monthly, unless the lease specifies a different notice period. If the tenant is being evicted for breach of lease or property damage, the notice period may be as short as 14 days. It's important for both tenants and landlords to review their lease agreements and adhere to Maryland's landlord-tenant laws, which outline the procedures and time frames for giving a notice to vacate. These regulations are designed to ensure that both parties have adequate time to prepare for the transition and to protect their respective rights during the process.