Terminating a tenancy agreement: template and notice period

Notice periods for tenants and landlords

Under the Act on Residential Leases, the tenant's notice period is one month. It did not change in the reform that entered into force on 1.10.2026.

The landlord's notice period was shortened in the reform. According to the report of Parliament's Environment Committee, it is four months if the tenancy has lasted continuously for at least two years, and otherwise three months. Previously the longer period was six months, and it applied to tenancies that had lasted over a year.

The new notice periods for landlords apply to contracts made after the law entered into force. Under the entry-into-force provision of Act 531/2026, contracts made before 1.10.2026 remain subject to the earlier section 52, subsection 2, unless otherwise agreed after the law entered into force: the landlord's notice period is then six months if the tenancy has lasted at least a year, and otherwise three months.

How the notice period is calculated

The notice period starts on the last day of the calendar month in which the notice is given, unless otherwise agreed. It is therefore best to give notice no later than the last day of the month and in a way that the other party has access to it by then.

Example: a tenant terminates the lease on 20.11.2026. The notice period starts on 30.11.2026 and the tenancy ends on 31.12.2026. If the same notice were given only on 2.12.2026, the tenancy would end at the end of January 2027.

After the reform, the move-out day is by law the end date of the lease, unless otherwise agreed. According to Taloustaito, this does not apply to contracts made before the law entered into force.

Written form and electronic notification

Notice of termination should always be given in writing and in a way that proves it was received. In addition, a landlord's notice of termination must state the grounds for termination and the date the tenancy ends.

From 1.10.2026, a notice of termination or cancellation can be delivered electronically if an electronic communication channel has been agreed in the lease. A reminder message is also sent through another agreed channel, for example by text message. According to the Environment Committee's report, a notice sent electronically is deemed received on the third day after sending, unless otherwise proven.

If no electronic channel has been agreed, use a letter with acknowledgement of receipt, or give the notice in person and ask the recipient for a dated acknowledgement.

Check from the lease whether it is valid until further notice or fixed-term.
Check whether the contract specifies an electronic communication channel and to which address notices are sent.
Calculate the end date from the last day of the notice month.
Send the notification so that it arrives within a month, and save a copy and the acknowledgement.
Agree on the final inspection and the return of keys well before the move.

Template: tenant's notice of termination

Below is a template text that you can edit. The names and details are fictional examples. Replace the parts in square brackets with your own details.

Template: Termination of a lease

Landlord: [landlord's name], [address]

Tenant: Maija Meikäläinen, [address], [phone], [email]

Rental property: [street address and apartment], [postcode and city]

I hereby give notice to terminate the open-ended lease made on [date], to end after a notice period of one month. The notice period begins on [last day of the month] and the tenancy ends on [end date].

I request that we agree on a time for the final inspection and the return of the keys. The deposit can be returned to account [IBAN].

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice.

[Place and date] – Maija Meikäläinen

Fixed-term agreement and other special situations

A fixed-term lease ends on the agreed date without notice and can usually not be terminated mid-term. If the agreement is initially fixed-term and then continues indefinitely, after the renewal it can be terminated to end at the earliest at the end of the fixed term, and the notice period must be observed.

If there are several tenants on the lease, it is advisable to agree on the termination together and sign the notice in everyone's name, so that it is clear to everyone whether the tenancy continues.

Where to get help

When a tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit. From 1.10.2026 the law sets a deadline for this: the deposit must be returned, or written notice of withholding it given, within 14 days of the end of the tenancy agreement. Returning a deposit and a template for a claim are covered in a separate Rental Radar guide.

When the landlord is a company, you can get advice from the consumer advice service of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority. The Consumer Disputes Board also handles residential rental disputes between private individuals. In Rental Radar you can see average rents per square metre in your area and the key rules of tenancies when looking for your next home.

Frequently asked questions

Can a lease be terminated by email?

Yes, if an electronic communication channel has been agreed in the lease and a reminder message is also sent through another agreed channel. Otherwise, use a method that provides proof, such as a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

When does the tenancy end if I give notice in the middle of the month?

A tenant's one-month notice period starts from the last day of the month in which notice is given, so the tenancy ends at the end of the following month.

Does the landlord's shorter notice period apply to old agreements?

In principle, no. The new periods apply to agreements made after 1.10.2026, unless the parties separately agree otherwise.

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Sources

The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.

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