Lease non-renewal letter: free template (PDF and Word)
Free lease non-renewal letter in PDF and Word, for landlord or tenant, with the notice periods of articles 1097 and 1098 of the Civil Code.
- NRAU-compliant
- PT and bilingual PT/EN
- Editable PDF + Word
- 100% free
Free template
The non-renewal letter is the notice that stops a lease from renewing automatically at the end of its term. This template works for both the landlord and the tenant: it shows who is sending it, works out the deadline and sets the notice periods of articles 1097 and 1098 of the Civil Code side by side. Download it free in PDF and Word, or track the deadlines of each lease in the Aluseg app.
- Choice of sender: Landlord or Tenant
- Side-by-side table of minimum notice periods (arts. 1097 and 1098 Civil Code)
- Guided calculation of the latest date for receipt of the letter
- Ready-to-sign notice text, with a receipt line for hand delivery
- Warnings: how to send (art. 9 NRAU), returned letter (art. 10), three-year rule, missing notice
What the non-renewal letter is and when to use it
Fixed-term leases renew automatically at the end of the term, unless otherwise agreed (article 1096 of the Civil Code). Whoever does not want that renewal must tell the other party with a minimum notice period. This letter does that, and nothing else: it does not terminate the lease for breach and does not allow leaving before the end of the term.
Non-renewal notice periods for landlord and tenant
- Lease of 6 years or more: 240 days (Landlord) / 120 days (Tenant).
- From 1 year to less than 6 years: 120 / 90 days.
- From 6 months to less than 1 year: 60 / 60 days.
- Less than 6 months: one third of the term, for both.
The notice is counted from the end of the current term (articles 1097(2) and 1098(2)).
How to send the letter
By registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, signed by the sender, or delivered by hand with the recipient's signature on the copy (article 9(1) and (6) of the NRAU). If the letter is returned in the situations of article 10(2) of the NRAU, send a second letter 30 to 60 days later.
Mistakes to avoid
- Counting the notice from the date of sending instead of from the end of the term.
- Forgetting that the landlord's opposition to the first renewal only takes effect three years after the lease was signed (article 1097(3)).
- Using this letter to leave mid-term: the tenant must use the termination notice instead (article 1098(3)).
Frequently asked questions
How much notice is needed for a non-renewal letter?
It depends on the lease term and on who sends it. For a 1 to 6-year lease it is 120 days for the Landlord and 90 days for the Tenant (articles 1097 and 1098 of the Civil Code). The notice is counted back from the end of the current term.
Can the tenant refuse to renew the lease?
Yes, by notifying the Landlord with the notice set in article 1098(1). If the notice is late, the lease still ends, but the Tenant pays the rent for the missing notice period, except for involuntary unemployment, permanent incapacity or death (article 1098(6)).
Must the non-renewal letter be registered?
The rule is a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, signed by the sender (article 9(1) NRAU). The law also allows hand delivery, with the recipient signing the copy (article 9(6)).
Can the landlord refuse renewal after the first year?
The Landlord may give notice, but opposition to the first renewal only takes effect three years after the lease was signed. The exception is where the Landlord or first-degree descendants need the property as a home (article 1097(3) and (4)).
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