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 Pennsylvania, a notice to vacate is a formal communication from a tenant to a landlord, or vice versa, indicating the intention to end the lease agreement. When a tenant decides not to renew their lease, they must provide a notice of intent to vacate, typically in writing, according to the terms specified in the lease agreement. The required notice period can vary, but it is commonly 30, 60, or 90 days before the lease expires. Similarly, landlords can issue a notice to vacate to tenants, often referred to as a notice to quit in Pennsylvania, under circumstances such as lease expiration, significant breaches of the lease, or legal violations by the tenant. The Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 outlines the procedures for eviction notices, which include a 10-day notice for nonpayment of rent, a 15-day notice for lease terms of one year or less, and a 30-day notice for leases longer than one year. Both tenants and landlords must adhere to the specific requirements outlined in their lease and comply with state and local laws when issuing a notice to vacate.