If you rent a home or apartment, you may be wondering, should I let my landlord know I’m going on vacation? There are a number of reasons why a landlord would want to know when a tenant is leaving the residence for an extended period of time, whether it be for a short or long-term. In this article, we’ll look at what you are required to tell your landlord and other considerations when being absent from your rental.
Should I Let My Landlord Know I’m Going on Vacation?
The answer to this depends on the agreement that you signed with your landlord. In some cases yes, you may be required to notify them if you are going on vacation. However, if there is no specific clause detailing this included in the rental agreement, then you would not be required to share this information with the landlord.
So it all depends on what is put down in writing in your contract. Make sure you read it closely, as it may detail number of days or other specific circumstances when you need to keep your landlord informed.
What Does Your Rental Agreement Say?
The most important thing to consider when leaving for vacation when you rent is referencing your rental agreement that you signed with your landlord. This is also sometimes called a lease agreement or tenancy agreement. The rental agreement contains a lot of necessary and useful information about regulations the tenant is required to follow while living at the property.
If the landlord wants to be notified whenever you go on vacation, this should be stated in the rental agreement. If there is no clause that refers to vacation or a specific time spent away from the home, then you are not required to notify your landlord that you will be away from the home.
However, even if there is nothing stated in your agreement about vacations or number of days away, there may be other stipulations that apply such as having guests stay over.
Will You Have a House Sitter?
Even if you don’t need to tell your landlord you are going on vacation, you might need to tell them someone will be staying at the property if you plan on having a house sitter. If your rental agreement states that you need to notify your landlord of any guests staying for a specific period of time, you will need to tell your landlord about your house sitter. You may also have to tell your landlord why there will be a guest or house sitter staying at the property.
Some landlords keep an eye on their property and will notice if someone new is coming in and out of the home. Additionally, your neighbors may become worried or suspicious if they see a new car or person at your home and notify the landlord.
That may seem kind of nosy, but in most cases they are just looking out for the safety of you and the complex. Therefore, notifying your landlord that you will be having a guest stay for however many days or weeks while you will be gone will prevent any misunderstandings from happening.
How Long Will Your Trip Be?
If you are taking a fairly short vacation, say less than a week long, you more than likely will not have to tell your landlord about it, unless it is stated in the rental agreement. Short vacations generally don’t affect the landlord or property in any way, so it usually isn’t a concern to landlords if you aren’t on the property for a few days.
Long-term vacations for more than a week or two may need to be disclosed with your landlord per the rental agreement. Even if the rental agreement does not specify this information, you should consider a few things when leaving a rental property for a long period of time.
If you take care of the lawn or landscaping, you should either hire someone to cut it while you are gone or tell your landlord to see if they will take care of it in your absence.
Generally, you should tell your landlord if you will be gone for longer than two weeks for your own sake. Landlords will be able to keep an eye on the property, make possible updates or repairs, and prevent them from thinking you abandoned the property and won’t be coming back.
Can Landlords Evict Tenants for Going on Vacation?
Eviction laws vary by state, but landlords generally aren’t allowed to evict tenants without good cause such as breaking the terms of the rental agreement. If you do not follow the rules of your rental agreement, they can legally evict you.
If you are worried that your landlord will kick you out for abandoning the property while on vacation, the best approach is to talk with your landlord about your situation.
Do Landlords Need to Know Where You Are Going on Vacation?
Unless it is specifically stated in the rental agreement that you must tell your landlord exactly where you will be going on vacation, you do not need to disclose this information to them.
Your trip destination typically isn’t a concern for landlords, but if you are going across the country or overseas for an extended period of time it might be helpful to tell your landlord that you won’t be in close proximity to the property for a long period of time.
Conclusion
You do not have to tell your landlord you are going on vacation if the contract you signed with them does not specify this information. Certain circumstances such as having a house sitter or extended vacations may require you to disclose this information for both you and your landlord’s best interest. If you don’t notify your landlord about your vacation and the rental agreement requires you to do so, you could get in trouble with your landlord or even be evicted.
