Termination of a lease agreement

The landlord or tenant ends the lease. Notice periods follow from the contract and statute; residential tenants enjoy extra statutory protection.

The content of this page is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Your situation may require an individual assessment by a lawyer.

What is this letter?

A lease termination is one party's declaration ending the lease after a notice period. For residential premises the landlord is constrained by the Act on the Protection of Tenants' Rights — as a rule they may terminate only on grounds listed in the Act, in writing and stating the reason (Art. 11 of the Act). A termination that breaches these rules may be ineffective.

What deadline applies?

There is no single statutory deadline to react — what matters are the notice period and the reason stated in the letter. Check that the termination is in writing, gives a reason and observes the statutory time limits — e.g. for rent arrears the landlord must first warn you and set an additional one-month payment deadline.

The deadline runs from the day the letter is delivered (received) — the delivery day itself does not count. Verify the delivery date with a lawyer: whether you make the deadline depends on it.

What happens if you ignore it?

If the termination is effective, after the notice period you occupy the premises without legal title — the owner may claim compensation for gratuitous use and seek eviction. If you consider the termination groundless, do not wait for a lawsuit: contest it in writing and consult a lawyer.

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Frequently asked questions

Can the landlord terminate my apartment lease overnight?

As a rule, no. For residential premises the Act on the Protection of Tenants' Rights requires written form, a stated reason and statutory time limits — e.g. for rent arrears, first a warning and an additional one-month deadline to pay.

I received the termination by e-mail or text message. Is it valid?

Termination of a residential lease must be made in writing on pain of nullity. Assessing a specific case — e.g. a qualified electronic signature, occasional lease, commercial premises — requires reviewing the contract; consult the documents with a lawyer.

Do I have to move out immediately after receiving the termination?

No — the lease continues until the end of the notice period under the contract or statute. Eviction without a court judgment is not permitted, and tenants enjoy additional protections, including a winter protection period.

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