Delaware Notice to Quit

The Delaware Notice to Quit is a type of eviction notice form used by landlords, property managers, and property management companies to notify tenants that they must either comply with an order, or quit and give up possession of the rental property within a certain period of time. Delaware Notice to Quit forms are commonly used to inform the tenant of nonpayment of rent, lease termination, and health hazard or injury to the property.

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Delaware Notice to Quit - Why it is important?

Landlord and tenant discussing the importance of an California Notice to Quit

You can use the notice to quit form to end your Delaware Residential Lease if the tenant has failed to pay rent. The Delaware Notice to Quit Form should not be confused with the "Writ of Possession" (read more about Delaware eviction notice) which is issued by the courts. The Notice to Quit Form is the beginning of the eviction process, and it communicates the intention to initiate eviction proceedings if a tenant does not comply with an order and remains on the premises beyond the specified date. If the tenant does not comply with the notice (for example they must pay rent or quit the lease and vacate the premises), you may be forced to take legal action to have the tenant removed from the property. If the notice has been ignored by the tenant and the move out date in the notice has passed, you have grounds to bring forth a lawsuit for “unlawful detainer”, in which case the tenant has the option to fight the eviction in court.Delaware Notice to Quit is important in following cases:

Connecticut Notice to Quit is important in following cases:

  • Serving a Notice to Quit is one of the first steps Delaware property management companies can take to regain possession of rental property from the tenant.
  • Delaware Notice to Quit notifies tenants they have violated the terms of the lease agreement and must vacate the premises within a certain period of time if they cannot comply with the remedy order.

Connecticut Notice to Quit – When should it be used??

Signing an California Notice to Quit rental document

Before the eviction process, when a landlord or property manager in Delaware wants a tenant to either comply with an order or vacate the rental property if they cannot comply, they will use the Delaware Notice to Quit Form to inform tenants they must remedy the problem within a short period of time (often 3-7 days), or leave the premises (quit) by a certain date (usually 30 days).

  • First Step in Eviction: A Notice to Quit is the initial legal step Delaware landlords and property managers must take to regain possession of a rental property.
  • Violation Notification: It informs tenants that they have violated the lease terms and must either remedy the violation within the allowed time or vacate the premises.
  • Legal Requirement: Delaware law generally requires a Notice to Quit before a landlord can file an eviction action in court, except in limited situations such as serious criminal activity.
  • Common Reasons: A Notice to Quit is commonly issued for nonpayment of rent, lease violations, property damage, unauthorized occupants, or other breaches of the rental agreement.
  • Notice Periods:  
    1. For nonpayment of rent, Delaware typically requires a 5-day notice to pay or quit.
    2. For lease violations, a 7-day notice to cure or quit is generally required.
    3. For termination without cause (month-to-month tenancies), a 60-day notice is usually required.
  • Tenant’s Right to Cure: In many cases, Delaware tenants have the right to correct the violation—such as paying overdue rent or fixing a lease breach—within the notice period to avoid eviction.

Property managers can use property management software to track each individual Delaware rental lease and make sure their tenants are paying the correct amount of rent and on time.

Delaware Notice to Quit – What should be included?

Landlord explaining California Notice to Quit requirements to tenant

The Delaware Notice to Quit Form must contain the reason for serving the Notice to Quit and the amount of time the tenant has. The problem must be clearly stated on the notice, so the tenant has reasonable awareness and can either correct the issue, or vacate the rental property. Here are some of the basic details that should be included if the rental property is in Delaware:

Name of Tenant and Other Persons who need to comply with the order or vacate the property:

  1. Address of the Rental Property: Full legal address, including unit number if applicable.
  2. Name of Tenant and Other Persons: Full legal names of all tenants and other individuals required to vacate.
  3. Date of the Notice: The date when the Notice to Quit is issued.
  4. Landlord or Property Manager's Name: The full name or legal business name of the landlord or entity issuing the notice.
  5. Notice Period: Clearly specify the notice duration (e.g., 5 days for nonpayment, 7 days for other violations).
  6. Move-Out Date (Vacate Date): The exact date by which the tenant must vacate the property.
  7. Reason for Lease Termination: Clearly state the reason (e.g., nonpayment, lease violation).
  8. Signature of Party Giving Notice: The signature of the landlord or tenant, depending on who is initiating the notice.
  9. Legal Disclaimer: A statement confirming compliance with Delaware Civil Code and specifying that the notice may not be valid outside Delaware.

Delaware Notice to Quit – What should I do with it?

The Notice to Quit Form must be “served” to the tenant by either Personal Service or Mail Service. In some states you can leave it at the rental property right on the front door, but in most cases it is better for you to have an independent party take two copies of the Delaware Notice to Quit to the rental property, give one to the tenant in person, and get their signature on second copy so that you can retain for your records. If you are mailing the Notice to Quit, you should send the Delaware Notice to Quit Form using First Class Certified Mail and retain the receipt.

Delaware Notice to Quit – What else should I know?

There are generally three types of Delaware Notice to Quit Forms. The Delaware Notice to Quit for Nonpayment of Rent can be used when rent is not paid, and the tenant may be given a short period to either pay up or move out. The Delaware Notice to Quit Form for Termination of Tenancy is similar to the Delaware Notice to Vacate Form and can be used to inform the tenant to leave after the lease is up (common with month to month leases in Delaware), or if there is no lease and you just want the tenant to leave. It is different from the Delaware Lease Termination Form, which terminates the Delaware Lease Agreement when there are other breaches in contract. The Delaware Notice to Quit Form for Health Hazard and Physical Injury should be used if the tenant creates a health hazard or physical injury to the property which is serious or continuing. These forms must be detailed and specific, because an inaccurate or incomplete statement of the problems could cause a later eviction complaint to be dismissed.

After receiving the Notice to Quit, the amount of time a tenant has until they have to comply or vacate the property will vary by state, so you should be sure to check with the laws in Delaware. In some states, tenants are given a 30 Day Notice to Quit, while in other states, a 3 Day Notice to Quit is acceptable.

Key Terms & Provisions

A Delaware Notice to Quit is a legal document used by either a landlord or a tenant to formally notify the other party that they intend to end the Rental Agreement. It must comply with Delaware Civil Code and be delivered in a legally acceptable way:

  • Date of Notice – The specific calendar date when the notice is issued.
  • Names of All Parties Involved – Full legal names of the tenant(s) and landlord/property manager.
  • Rental Property Address – Full legal address and unit description.
  • Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length 
  • Move-Out Date
  • Reason for Termination
  • Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature depending on who is initiating the notice.
  • Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with Delaware Civil Code and may not be valid outside Delaware.

Why Delaware Landlords & Property Managers Choose SimplifyEm Notice to Quit Template?

Property manager recommending an California Notice to Quit template

We understand the importance of handling lease terminations legally and efficiently in Delaware. That’s why our Delaware Notice to Quit Template is designed to simplify the process and minimize legal risk. Here’s why property managers and landlords trust SimplifyEm’s template:

  • Legally Compliant Our Notice to Quit form aligns with the Delaware Residential Landlord-Tenant Code, helping ensure notices meet state requirements and are enforceable.
  • Flexible Notice Periods – The template supports Delaware-specific notice rules, including 5 days for nonpayment of rent, 7 days to remedy or quit for lease violations, and 60 days’ notice for termination of month-to-month tenancies when required.
  • Simple & User-Friendly – Designed for ease of use, our template allows landlords to quickly fill in essential details and issue notices accurately.
  • Helps Prevent Disputes – Clear language and proper documentation reduce the risk of misunderstandings or legal challenges during move-out.
  • Trusted by Thousands – SimplifyEm is a trusted property management platform used by landlords and property managers across the U.S. for compliant documentation and streamlined workflows.

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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

What is a Delaware Notice to Quit?

A Delaware Notice to Quit is a written notice from a landlord to a tenant indicating that the tenant must vacate the rental property due to a violation of the lease terms or the end of the rental period. It serves as the first step in the eviction process under Delaware Code Title 25 - Property Chapter 53.

How much notice is required to quit a rental in Delaware?

Under Delaware Delaware Code Title 25 - Property Chapter 53.

  • Nonpayment of rent: Written demand giving the tenant at least 5 days to pay (not less than 5 days after the notice is given/sent) before the rental agreement can be terminated for nonpayment.
  • Month-to-month tenancy: At least 60 days’ written notice, starting on the first day of the month after actual notice required for month-to-month tenants.
  • Lease violation (noncompliance):7-day notice to cure/stop the violation (and the notice must state required statutory language elements).
  • Fixed-term lease end: A fixed-term lease ends on its expiration date, but Delaware law has specific rules about notice and automatic month-to-month continuation if neither party properly terminates.

Can a landlord give a Notice to Quit without stating a reason?

Yes, for a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord may terminate without stating a cause if they provide the required 60-day written notice and the termination is not retaliatory or discriminatory, As per Delaware Code Title 25 - Property Chapter 51, Subchapter I.

Can a landlord give a Notice to Quit before the lease ends?

Yes, if there is a legal basis to terminate early (such as nonpayment or a lease violation) and the landlord serves the correct statutory notice. Otherwise, early termination terms depend on the lease and any written agreement between the parties.

What information must be included in a Notice to Quit?

An Delaware Notice to Quit must include:

  • Date of Notice: The specific calendar date when the notice is issued.
  • Names of All Parties Involved: Full legal names of the tenant(s) and landlord/property manager.
  • Rental Property Address: Full legal address and unit description.
  • Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length
  • Move-Out Date
  • Reason for Termination
  • Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature depending on who is initiating the notice.
  • Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with the Delaware Code Title 25 - Property Chapter 53.

How should a Notice to Quit be delivered in Delaware?

Legal delivery methods include:

  • Personal delivery, or
  • Leaving a copy at the rental unit/usual place of abode with an adult residing there, or
  • Mailing by registered/certified mail or first-class mail (with proof such as a return receipt or certificate of mailing).

What happens if a tenant doesn’t leave after receiving a Notice to Quit?

The landlord may file a summary possession case in the Justice of the Peace Court. If the court grants possession, the landlord can obtain enforcement through the court process (leading to removal by authorized officials).

Is a Notice to Quit the same as a Notice to Vacate?

In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably. What matters is whether the notice content and timing meet Delaware’s statutory requirements for the specific reason (nonpayment, noncompliance, or termination of month-to-month).

Do landlords need to give written notice if their lease is ending?

Not always. A fixed-term lease can end on its expiration date, but Delaware law includes notice and automatic continuation rules that can convert the tenancy to month-to-month if the parties do not properly terminate.

Can a landlord email a Delaware Notice to Quit?

Delaware’s statute lists personal delivery, leaving with an adult at the unit, or mail as approved service methods. Email is not listed as a statutory service method, so it should not be relied on unless the lease clearly authorizes electronic notice and legal counsel confirms it is acceptable for the specific notice type.

Does Residential Landlord-Tenant Law change notice periods in Delaware?

Yes. Delaware law sets different notice periods depending on the reason (for example, 60 days for month-to-month termination, 5+ days for nonpayment demand, and 7 days for lease noncompliance).

Can a Delaware Notice to Quit be used as a lease termination notice?

Yes, a Notice to Quit can serve as a Lease Termination notice:

  • Month-to-month lease: 60-day written notice (runs from the first day of the next month).
  • Week-to-week lease: 7-day notice
  • Fixed-term lease: Ends automatically unless renewed.

If either party wants to terminate the lease early, a mutual agreement or court order is required.

Where can I get a Delaware Notice to Quit Form?

You can download a legally compliant, easy-to-use Delaware Notice to Quit Form for landlords or tenants here:

https://www.simplifyem.com/forms/delaware-notice-to-quit

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Always use a customizable Connecticut Notice to Quit template to ensure compliance with California Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and simplify modifications or renewals.

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