California Notice to Landlord (Tenant Move-Out Letter)

A free California notice to landlord (tenant move-out letter) that follows California law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What California law says

Ending a month-to-month lease	Landlord: 30 days' written notice if the tenant has lived there less than one year, 60 days if one year or more. Tenant: notice at least as long as the rental period, usually 30 days for month-to-month. Where the AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act applies (after 12 months of occupancy, non-exempt property), the landlord also needs a just cause stated in the notice. No-fault just cause requires relocation assistance. Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946, 1946.1, 1946.2
How notices must be delivered	Eviction notices (3-day and other § 1161 notices) must be served in one of three ways: (1) handed to the tenant personally; (2) if the tenant is away from home and work, left with a person of suitable age and discretion at either place, plus a copy mailed to the residence; or (3) if neither place can be found or no suitable person is there, posted in a conspicuous place on the property, given to a resident if one can be found, plus a copy mailed to the property. A 30- or 60-day notice to end a periodic tenancy may be served the same way or by certified or registered mail. A rent-increase notice must be handed over personally or mailed under Code Civ. Proc. § 1013. No statute provides for email or text service of these notices. Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162(a); Cal. Civ. Code § 1946; Cal. Civ. Code § 827(b)(1)

Ending a month-to-month lease

Landlord: 30 days' written notice if the tenant has lived there less than one year, 60 days if one year or more. Tenant: notice at least as long as the rental period, usually 30 days for month-to-month. Where the AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act applies (after 12 months of occupancy, non-exempt property), the landlord also needs a just cause stated in the notice. No-fault just cause requires relocation assistance.

Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946, 1946.1, 1946.2

How notices must be delivered

Eviction notices (3-day and other § 1161 notices) must be served in one of three ways: (1) handed to the tenant personally; (2) if the tenant is away from home and work, left with a person of suitable age and discretion at either place, plus a copy mailed to the residence; or (3) if neither place can be found or no suitable person is there, posted in a conspicuous place on the property, given to a resident if one can be found, plus a copy mailed to the property. A 30- or 60-day notice to end a periodic tenancy may be served the same way or by certified or registered mail. A rent-increase notice must be handed over personally or mailed under Code Civ. Proc. § 1013. No statute provides for email or text service of these notices.

Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162(a); Cal. Civ. Code § 1946; Cal. Civ. Code § 827(b)(1)

Fill in your letter

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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]

From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]

This is my written notice that I am ending my month-to-month tenancy at the rental above. My last day in the unit will be [move-out date].

I am giving this notice under Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946, 1946.1, 1946.2, which sets the notice a tenant must give.

Please return my security deposit, less only deductions the law allows, to my forwarding address: [forwarding address].

You can reach me at [phone or email] to arrange a move-out walk-through and key return.

Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.