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 for providing this notice can vary based on the terms of the lease agreement and state law. Connecticut law requires different notice periods depending on the situation. For example, for a month-to-month tenancy, a tenant is generally required to give at least one month's notice before vacating. Conversely, a landlord must provide a notice to vacate to a tenant for reasons such as lease expiration or a significant breach of the lease terms. The notice period for landlords can range from 3 days for serious violations to 30, 60, or 90 days for lease terminations, depending on the circumstances and the type of tenancy. Both tenants and landlords should review their lease agreements and consult Connecticut's landlord-tenant statutes to ensure compliance with the required notice periods and procedures for vacating a rental property.