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 Vermont, 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. 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 days for month-to-month tenancies. For landlords, the notice period to vacate a tenant depends on the reason for eviction. For lease expiration or no cause, the notice is usually 60 or 90 days for year-long leases. If the tenant has materially breached the lease or violated the law, the notice period may be shorter, such as 14 days for non-payment of rent or 30 days for other lease violations. Vermont statutes outline the specific requirements and procedures for issuing a notice to vacate, and these must be followed precisely to ensure legal compliance. It is important for both tenants and landlords to review their lease agreements and familiarize themselves with Vermont's rental laws to ensure proper notice is given and received.