A notice to vacate is one of the most important letters in any tenancy, yet it is often written in a hurry, on a scrap of paper or as a short phone message. In Bangladesh, where many tenancies are informal and advance or security deposit (jamanat) amounts are significant, an unclear notice easily leads to arguments over dates, the final month's rent, and how much deposit will be returned. A clear, polite, written notice protects both landlord and tenant.
This page gives you ready-to-use notice to vacate templates in English for both landlords and tenants, with blanks to fill in, plus guidance on notice periods, delivery, what to include, and common mistakes. The templates are suitable for flats, houses, shops and offices in Dhaka, Chattogram and elsewhere in Bangladesh, and for probashi owners who manage property from abroad.
Disclaimer: These templates are general samples, not legal advice. Your rental agreement and applicable law, including the Premises Rent Control Act, 1991 (Bari Bhara Niyantran Ain), take priority. For disputes, eviction or unusual situations, consult a lawyer before sending any notice.
What Is a Notice to Vacate?
A notice to vacate is a written letter in which one party to a tenancy tells the other that the tenancy will end and the premises will be handed back on a specific date. It can be sent by:
- The landlord to the tenant, for example at the end of the agreed term, when the owner needs the property for personal use, or after serious breaches of the agreement.
- The tenant to the landlord, when the tenant plans to move out.
A notice to vacate is not the same as forcibly removing a tenant. It is the formal first step. If a tenant does not leave after a valid notice, the landlord must follow the lawful process, which may involve the courts; self-help measures such as cutting utilities or changing locks can expose the landlord to legal trouble. Our guide on eviction notices in Bangladesh covers the difficult cases.
How Much Notice Should Be Given?
The notice period should come first from your written rental agreement. In Bangladesh, one to two months is common for residential tenancies, and commercial leases often specify longer periods. The law also contains provisions on tenancy and notice; if your agreement is silent or a dispute arises, ask a lawyer what applies. For background, see our explainer on the Premises Rent Control Act, 1991.
| Situation | Commonly seen practice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Residential flat, written agreement | As stated, often 1 to 2 months | The notice clause in your agreement |
| Residential flat, no written agreement | Often aligned to the rent month | Take legal advice on the applicable period |
| Shop or office | Often 2 to 6 months or as per lease | Lease term, lock-in period, position money terms |
| End of fixed term | Notice before the term ends | Renewal clause and any automatic extension |
| Serious breach by tenant | As per breach clause | Get a lawyer's advice first |
Tip: Align the move-out date with the end of a rent month, for example "on or before 31 July". This avoids arguments about partial-month rent.
What Every Notice to Vacate Should Include
- Date of the notice.
- Full names of landlord and tenant.
- Full address of the premises, including flat, floor or shop number.
- Reference to the rental agreement and its date, if any.
- The clear date by which the premises will be vacated.
- Reason (where appropriate or required by the agreement).
- Arrangements for final rent, utility bills and meter readings.
- How the advance or security deposit will be settled.
- Arrangements for a joint inspection and key handover.
- Signature, and contact details.
Template 1: Landlord's Notice to Vacate at End of Term
NOTICE TO VACATE
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
[Tenant's full name]
[Flat/House No.], [Floor], [Building name]
[Road], [Area], [City]
Subject: Notice to vacate the premises at the end of the tenancy term
Dear [Mr/Ms Tenant's name],
This is to inform you that the tenancy of the above premises under our rental agreement dated [date of agreement] will end on [end date]. As per clause [clause number] of the agreement, I am giving you [number] months' notice that the tenancy will not be renewed.
You are requested to vacate the premises and hand over vacant possession, along with [number] sets of keys, on or before [move-out date].
Please pay the rent up to [month] and clear all utility bills (electricity, gas, water and service charge) up to the handover date. We will take final meter readings together on the day of handover.
Your security deposit of Tk [amount] will be returned within [number] days after handover, after deducting any unpaid dues or cost of damage beyond normal wear and tear, with a written statement of any deductions.
Please contact me at [phone number] to fix a convenient time for a joint inspection before you leave. Thank you for your cooperation during your stay.
Sincerely,
[Landlord's name]
[Signature]
[Address and phone number]
Template 2: Landlord's Notice for Personal Use or Major Renovation
NOTICE TO VACATE
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
[Tenant's full name]
[Premises address]
Subject: Request to vacate the premises
Dear [Mr/Ms Tenant's name],
I hope you and your family are well. I am writing to inform you that I need the above premises [for my own family's residence / for major renovation work], which will begin from [date].
In accordance with our rental agreement dated [date] and the notice period stated in it, I request you to vacate the premises on or before [move-out date], which gives you [number] months' notice.
I understand that moving is a significant task. If you need any help, such as a reference letter for your next landlord, please let me know. Rent will be payable up to [month], and your advance/security deposit of Tk [amount] will be settled as per the agreement after a joint inspection on the handover date.
Thank you for being a good tenant.
Sincerely,
[Landlord's name, signature, phone number]
Template 3: Landlord's Notice After Unpaid Rent or Breach
Use this only after you have tried reminders and conversation, and preferably after consulting a lawyer. Keep the tone factual and calm.
NOTICE TO VACATE
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
[Tenant's full name]
[Premises address]
Subject: Notice to vacate due to [non-payment of rent / breach of agreement]
Dear [Mr/Ms Tenant's name],
As per our rental agreement dated [date], the monthly rent of Tk [amount] is payable by the [day] of each month. According to our records, rent for [months] totalling Tk [total due] remains unpaid despite reminders sent on [dates]. [Or: describe the specific breach, with dates.]
Under clause [clause number] of the agreement, I hereby give you notice to vacate the premises on or before [move-out date]. If you clear the full outstanding amount of Tk [total due] by [date], please contact me to discuss whether the tenancy may continue.
Please note that any dues remaining at handover may be adjusted against the security deposit as per the agreement, and any balance will remain payable.
Sincerely,
[Landlord's name, signature, phone number]
Template 4: Tenant's Notice to Vacate to the Landlord
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO VACATE
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
[Landlord's full name]
[Landlord's address]
Subject: Notice to vacate [Flat/House/Shop No.] at [Building, Road, Area]
Dear [Mr/Ms Landlord's name],
I am writing to inform you that I will be vacating the above premises on or before [move-out date]. This notice is given [number] months in advance as required by our rental agreement dated [date].
I will pay the rent up to [month] and clear all utility bills up to the handover date. I request a joint inspection on [proposed date] and final meter readings at handover.
Kindly return my security deposit of Tk [amount] [by bank transfer to account no. ___ / by bKash to ___ / in cash] within [number] days after handover, along with a written statement of any deductions.
Thank you for your cooperation during my tenancy.
Sincerely,
[Tenant's name]
[Signature]
[Phone number]
Template 5: Acknowledgement of a Notice to Vacate
Whoever receives a notice should acknowledge it in writing. This removes any doubt about dates.
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
I, [name], acknowledge receipt on [date] of the notice to vacate dated [date] concerning [premises address]. I confirm that the premises will be handed over on or before [move-out date]. A joint inspection is agreed for [date and time].
Signature: ____________ Name: ____________ Phone: ____________
Short SMS and WhatsApp Versions
A message is useful as a quick reminder but should follow, not replace, a signed letter.
Landlord to tenant: "Assalamu Alaikum. As discussed, I have sent you a written notice today that the tenancy of Flat [No.] will end on [date]. Please check and sign the acknowledgement. Thank you. - [Name]"
Tenant to landlord: "Dear [Name], this is to confirm that I will vacate Flat [No.] on or before [date], as per my written notice given today. Please let me know a suitable time for the inspection. Thank you."
Reminder before move-out: "Reminder: handover of Flat [No.] is on [date]. Please clear electricity and gas bills and keep all [number] keys ready. The inspection is at [time]. Thank you."
How to Deliver the Notice
- By hand, with the other party signing a copy as received, is simple and effective.
- By registered post with acknowledgement due (AD) provides proof of delivery, useful if a dispute is likely.
- By email or messaging app, as an additional record, especially for probashi landlords or tenants.
- Through a witness, such as the building manager or a committee member, if the other party refuses to sign.
Always keep a copy of the notice and proof of delivery.
Worked Example: Final Settlement After Notice
For example (illustrative): A tenant gives notice to vacate on 31 July. Monthly rent is Tk 22,000. The tenant paid a security deposit of Tk 44,000. At handover:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Security deposit held | Tk 44,000 |
| Less: July rent unpaid | Tk 22,000 |
| Less: final sub-meter electricity bill | Tk 1,850 |
| Less: broken bathroom mirror (agreed damage) | Tk 1,500 |
| Total deductions | Tk 22,000 + Tk 1,850 + Tk 1,500 = Tk 25,350 |
| Refund due to tenant | Tk 44,000 - Tk 25,350 = Tk 18,650 |
The landlord should share this calculation in writing and pay the refund within the agreed time. Normal wear and tear, such as slightly faded paint after two years, is generally not a fair deduction. For a ready-made refund letter, see our security deposit return letter template.
Checklist Before the Move-Out Date
- Notice given and acknowledged in writing.
- Final rent month agreed.
- Electricity (prepaid balance or final bill), gas and water bills cleared.
- Service charge paid up to handover.
- Joint inspection date fixed; move-in photos or checklist ready for comparison.
- All keys, access cards and remote controls listed.
- Deposit settlement method and date agreed.
- Forwarding address and phone number collected.
Our step-by-step guide to the end of tenancy process explains each stage in more detail.
Common Mistakes with Notices to Vacate
- Giving notice only verbally, then disagreeing about the date.
- Giving less notice than the agreement requires.
- Not stating a clear move-out date, only "next month" or "soon".
- Using angry or threatening language, which makes settlement harder.
- Forgetting to address the final rent, utilities and deposit in the notice.
- Landlords cutting off water, electricity or gas to pressure a tenant to leave.
- Tenants stopping rent payments in the notice period and telling the landlord to "adjust from the deposit" without agreement.
- No joint inspection, leading to disputes over damage.
Final Thoughts
A clear notice to vacate, delivered properly and acknowledged in writing, makes the end of a tenancy smooth and fair. Use the templates above, fill in every blank carefully, follow the notice period in your agreement, and address the final rent, utilities and deposit in the same letter. Keep the tone polite; most tenancies end well when both sides know exactly what to expect.
If you manage several units, Bariwala ERP keeps agreements, tenant profiles, dues and advance balances in one place, which makes final settlement calculations quicker and more accurate. For any contested situation, however, speak to a lawyer before sending a notice.
সাধারণ প্রশ্ন ও উত্তর
How much notice must a tenant give to vacate in Bangladesh?
Follow the notice period in your rental agreement, commonly one to two months for residential flats. If there is no written agreement, seek legal advice on what applies.
Can a landlord ask a tenant to leave without a reason?
It depends on the agreement, the tenancy term and the law. At the end of an agreed term the landlord can usually decline to renew with proper notice; take legal advice in contested cases.
Is a WhatsApp message a valid notice to vacate?
A message is useful evidence, but a signed written notice delivered by hand or registered post, with acknowledgement, is much safer.
Can the tenant adjust the last month's rent from the security deposit?
Only if the landlord agrees or the agreement allows it. Otherwise, the tenant should pay rent as normal and the deposit is settled after inspection.
What if the tenant refuses to leave after notice?
The landlord should not cut utilities or change locks. Consult a lawyer about the lawful process, which may involve the courts.
Should the notice mention the security deposit?
Yes. State the deposit amount, how deductions will be calculated, and when and how the balance will be returned.
What is the best way to deliver a notice to vacate?
Hand delivery with a signed receipt copy, or registered post with acknowledgement due, plus a message or email as backup.