Lease Renewal Letter Template

A lease renewal letter is a formal written notice sent by a landlord to a tenant, or by a tenant to a landlord, expressing the intent to extend the current lease agreement beyond its original expiration date. The letter outlines whether the renewal will maintain the same terms or propose changes such as an updated rent amount, a different lease duration, or modified rules regarding pets, parking, or property use. It serves as the official starting point for renewal negotiations and creates a paper trail documenting both parties' intentions.

Timing is critical when sending a lease renewal letter. Most leases require that renewal notice be given 30 to 90 days before the current term expires, though the exact window depends on your lease terms and local landlord-tenant laws. Sending the letter too late can result in the lease converting to a month-to-month arrangement by default, which may not be desirable for either party. Landlords benefit from early renewal discussions because they can minimize vacancy and turnover costs. Tenants benefit because they gain certainty about their housing situation and can negotiate terms before the deadline pressure intensifies.

A well-drafted lease renewal letter should include the property address, the names of the landlord and tenant, the current lease expiration date, the proposed new lease term and start date, any changes to rent or other terms, a deadline for the recipient to respond, and clear instructions on how to accept or decline the renewal offer. If the landlord is proposing a rent increase, many jurisdictions require that the increase be communicated in writing with a specific number of days' advance notice, making this letter an important compliance document. Both parties should keep signed copies for their records.