Sample Notification Letter to Landlords to
Terminate a Residential Lease under the SCRA
Note: The following is a sample only. It is not legal advice of any kind. Any letter notifying a
landlord of termination of a lease should be sent via CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED to comply with the SCRA and provide the sender with proof it was received.
[Service member’s Return Address]
[Date]
[LANDLORD’S ADDRESS]
Dear [Sir or Madam]:
On or about [DATE] I signed a lease agreement to occupy the premises located at
[ADDRESS OF LEASE PROPERTY]. At that time I was [not on active duty in the armed
services OR had not received orders for a change of permanent station/notification I would be
deployed].
I have now [entered active military service in the U.S. BRANCH OF SERVICE on
DATE OR received orders for a change of permanent station for at least 90 days outside the
sate/notification I will be deployed for at least 90 days on DATE]. A copy of my orders is
enclosed. This change in my status as a member of the armed services materially affects my
ability to continue leasing the premises identified above.
The Service Member’s Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 501-596) allows service
members in my situation to terminate a residential lease without penalty prior to the end of the
lease term. For leases paid in monthly installments, termination of the lease is effective 30 days
after the first date on which the next rental payment is due after the date on which this notice has
been delivered – therefore one month of notice is required. For any other lease, termination of
the lease under is effective on the last day of the month following the month in which the notice
is delivered. [Optional: At the time of the lease signing I provided you with payment for the last
month of rent. Please consider that amount my final rent payment.]
Please note that under 50 U.S.C. App. § 535 of the Service Member’s Civil Relief Act,
you must return any rent or other lease amounts paid in advance within 30 days of the
termination of the lease. Kindly return my security deposit and any other funds by mailing them
to [ADDRESS].
Thank you for your attention in this matter. I can be reached at the address above with
any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
[Service member's name, rank and branch of service]