Delaware Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early)

A free Delaware lease termination letter (ending a lease early) that follows Delaware 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 Delaware law says

Ending a lease: military, medical, death	On 30 days' written notice (starting the first day of the next month): job relocation by the current employer of more than 30 miles; serious illness of the tenant, or death/serious illness of a resident immediate family member, requiring a permanent move; acceptance into senior housing, a group/cooperative facility or retirement home; acceptance into government- or nonprofit-subsidized housing; entering active-duty U.S. military service after signing; and termination by the surviving spouse or personal representative on the tenant's death. A deceased sole tenant's unit may be returned to the landlord without suit under § 5719. Source: 25 Del. C. §§ 5314(b), 5719
Ending a lease: domestic violence	A tenant who is a victim of domestic abuse, sexual offenses or stalking, or who has obtained or is seeking relief from a court, police agency, or domestic violence program, may end the tenancy on 30 days' written notice (the 30 days start on the first day of the month after notice is given). Separately, the landlord may not evict, raise rent, or cut services because of the victimization (rebuttable presumption within 90 days of an incident); this protection does not apply to a tenant otherwise delinquent in rent. Source: 25 Del. C. §§ 5314(b)(6), 5316

Ending a lease: military, medical, death

On 30 days' written notice (starting the first day of the next month): job relocation by the current employer of more than 30 miles; serious illness of the tenant, or death/serious illness of a resident immediate family member, requiring a permanent move; acceptance into senior housing, a group/cooperative facility or retirement home; acceptance into government- or nonprofit-subsidized housing; entering active-duty U.S. military service after signing; and termination by the surviving spouse or personal representative on the tenant's death. A deceased sole tenant's unit may be returned to the landlord without suit under § 5719.

Source: 25 Del. C. §§ 5314(b), 5719

Ending a lease: domestic violence

A tenant who is a victim of domestic abuse, sexual offenses or stalking, or who has obtained or is seeking relief from a court, police agency, or domestic violence program, may end the tenancy on 30 days' written notice (the 30 days start on the first day of the month after notice is given). Separately, the landlord may not evict, raise rent, or cut services because of the victimization (rebuttable presumption within 90 days of an incident); this protection does not apply to a tenant otherwise delinquent in rent.

Source: 25 Del. C. §§ 5314(b)(6), 5316

Fill in your letter

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

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

I am ending my lease early under 25 Del. C. §§ 5314(b), 5719 for this reason: [the reason the law allows, e.g. active military orders].

I have attached [the documents the law requires, e.g. a copy of the orders].

My termination date is [termination date], and I will return the keys by [key return date].

Please return my security deposit, less only lawful deductions, to [forwarding address].

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.

Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early) templates for other states · All Delaware landlord-tenant rules · Free legal help in Delaware

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.