Breaking a lease: notice and early-termination laws by state
How much notice you must give to end a month-to-month tenancy, what you owe if you leave a fixed-term lease early, and when the law lets you go without penalty — for 50 jurisdictions, each rule linked to its statute. Last checked .
When can I move out?
Choose your state, your situation and the date your landlord will receive notice.
Every state at a glance
| State | Tenant notice (month-to-month) | Landlord must re-rent | Early-exit reasons in state law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 5 |
| Alaska | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 6 |
| Arizona | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 7 |
| Arkansas | 30 days | Unsettled | 1 |
| California | 30 days | Yes | 3 |
| Colorado | 21 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 3 |
| Connecticut | Varies (see rule) | Yes | 5 |
| Delaware | Varies (see rule) | Yes | 6 |
| District of Columbia | Varies (see rule) | Yes | 1 |
| Florida | 30 days, ending with a rental period | No | 3 |
| Georgia | 30 days | No | 2 |
| Hawaii | 28 days | Yes | 4 |
| Idaho | 1 month | Yes | 1 |
| Illinois | 1 rental period, ending with a rental period | Yes | 2 |
| Indiana | 30 days | Yes | 1 |
| Iowa | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 4 |
| Kansas | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 4 |
| Kentucky | 30 days, ending with a rental period (Only in cities/counties that adopted URLTA (KRS 383.500)); Varies (see rule) (Only where URLTA has not been adopted); 10 days (Only in URLTA localities; a tenancy that began when a written lease ended (holdover)) | Unsettled | 5 |
| Louisiana | 10 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 2 |
| Maine | 30 days | Yes | 3 |
| Maryland | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 3 |
| Massachusetts | 1 rental period, ending with a rental period | Yes | 2 |
| Michigan | 1 month | Yes | 2 |
| Minnesota | 1 rental period, ending with a rental period | Yes | 4 |
| Mississippi | 30 days | No | 1 |
| Missouri | 1 month, ending with a rental period | No | 2 |
| Montana | 30 days | Yes | 4 |
| Nebraska | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 6 |
| Nevada | 30 days | Yes | 8 |
| New Hampshire | 30 days | Unsettled | 2 |
| New Jersey | 1 month, ending with a rental period | Yes | 4 |
| New Mexico | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 4 |
| New York | 1 month, ending with a rental period (Outside New York City); Varies (see rule) (New York City) | Yes | 4 |
| North Carolina | 7 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 3 |
| North Dakota | 1 month (Unless the parties agreed in writing to a longer notice or a different notice time); 1 month, ending with a rental period (Tenancy converted from a lease under 47-16-06 or 47-16-06.1) | Yes | 5 |
| Ohio | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 30 days | Yes | 6 |
| Oregon | 30 days | Yes | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | 15 days, ending with a rental period | No | 2 |
| Rhode Island | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 5 |
| South Carolina | 30 days | Yes | 6 |
| South Dakota | 1 month, ending with a rental period | Unsettled | 4 |
| Texas | 1 month | Yes | 8 |
| Utah | Varies (see rule) | Yes | 2 |
| Vermont | 1 rental period | Yes | 2 |
| Virginia | 30 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 5 |
| Washington | 20 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 5 |
| West Virginia | 1 rental period, ending with a rental period | Yes | 3 |
| Wisconsin | 28 days, ending with a rental period | Yes | 4 |
| Wyoming | Varies (see rule) | Unsettled | 3 |
Summary only — leases and local ordinances can change the notice. Open your state for the full rules. This is legal information, not legal advice; see our methodology.
Military orders: the federal SCRA (all states)
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act lets a servicemember end a residential lease signed before entering service, or signed while in service before receiving orders for a permanent change of station or a deployment of at least 90 days. Deliver written notice with a copy of the orders. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the first date the next rent payment is due after the notice is delivered; rent is owed only up to that date, and no early-termination fee may be charged. 50 U.S.C. § 3955. Some states add their own protections, for example for National Guard members on state orders.
Tools
- Move-out notice calculator: your earliest last day.
- Notice to vacate letter: a written notice citing your state's law.
- Security deposit laws: getting your deposit back after you leave.