Free Notice of Default Template (on Lease Agreement)

A Notice of default is one that is issued by either of the signatories (parties) of a lease agreement when they believe that the other party has violated the agreement (breach of contract).

Purpose and Overview

A notice of default on lease agreement can be written by the landlord or the tenant, depending on who is at fault. The party at fault is alerted of the issue, and the notice of default on lease agreement states the steps needed to remedy the violation, and consequences of failure to take corrective measures.

A notice of default on lease agreement is meant to avoid the termination of the lease agreement or more drastic measures such as legal action. The party in breach is given an opportunity to remedy the situation through a notice of default; if the issue(s) is not addressed, then the default notice becomes a fundamental contractual requirement for the lease agreement to remain valid. It is recommended that a notice of default be issued/ served through Certified Mail (with return receipt). This way, there is proof that the party at fault has received the default notice.

A notice of default can be issued for distinct reasons. Examples of such reasons include;

• The tenant’s failure to pay rent – late payment or no payment.
• The tenant is violating house policy such as noise, guests, parking space, or smoking.
• The landlord fails to make repairs as required by the lease agreement.
• The landlord fails to provide and/or pay for utilities and amenities.

Default Notice vs. Eviction Notice

Some people tend to confuse a default notice with an eviction notice. However, if ignored, it is a step towards eviction. A default notice gives the landlord or tenant ample time to correct the issue at hand, while an eviction notice is a final step due to unresolved issues. An eviction notice is typically issued by the court.

A default notice gives the at-fault party an opportunity to cure the problem, while an eviction notice means the tenant should vacate the premises as directed.

Note: Default notices should be in writing, and all parties (landlord and tenant) should keep copies.

One should often result in a notice of default on lease agreement when and if regular communication to resolve problems fails between the landlord and the tenant. Sometimes, people will accept being corrected the first time. However, should the concern persist, a default notice on the lease agreement becomes necessary. Some of the most common reasons a notice of default of lease agreement is served during the tenancy are discussed below.

Reasons for tenant’s default

Lease agreements are usually pro-landlord; as a result, there are many provisions in a lease agreement that a tenant is obligated to uphold or otherwise face contractual consequences. A tenant can be served with a notice of default on a lease agreement for the following reasons.

Damage caused to the property – Lease agreements stipulate how property damage should be handled. When landlords carry routine inspections and identify damage to property that has not been attended to, they will usually issue a notice of default on the lease agreement urging the tenant to take the necessary actions as obligated.

Non-compliance with parking requirements –If a tenant violates the parking provision of a lease agreement, a landlord can issue a notice of default. This is prevalent in commercial properties with shared parking spaces.

Late rent – A default notice for late rent payment is one of the most common notices issued in leasing. Late rent does not automatically translate to non-payment; however, issuing a notice of default on lease agreement ensures it does not escalate to that. Instead, a tenant is given a grace period to make payment. As a response to the default notice, tenants can provide an explanation as to why the issue arose in the first place. A late rent default notice should be sent as soon as the monthly rent is past its due date.

Non-payment of rent – Situations arise where a tenant is unable to pay rent. The definition of non-payment will usually depend on the contractual terms and state housing laws. Therefore, it is important to first confirm with state laws. In such a case, the default notice precedes an eviction notice or termination of lease.

Unpaid utility bills – In commercial property, if one tenant fails to pay their utility bills, the landlord will often have to meet the costs to ensure other tenants are not inconvenienced. He or she, in turn, will be required to serve the at-fault tenant a default notice letting them know of the violation to prevent repetition and get their money back.

Illegal activity – If the landlord identifies or is alerted of illegal activities happening with the rented premises, they can issue a default notice urging the tenant to desist from the activities and make them aware of the ramifications they would face if the bad behavior persists.

Reasons for landlord’s default

Lease agreements are created to protect tenants too as consumers. It is unrealistic to assume that landlords cannot default or violate a lease agreement. Landlords can be served a notice of default on the lease agreement dependent on the provisions of the lease agreement. Common scenarios that would prompt the issuance of a notice of default on a lease agreement include;

Incomplete work/repairs – Sometimes tenants move into buildings with uncompleted works such as landscaping, installation of HVAC systems, furnishing, etc., on the condition that the landlords vow to complete them during the tenancy. Also, the building could need some repairs, such as fixing locks, plumbing, unclogging sewer systems, repairing broken windows, etc., for it to be fully functional. If the landlord fails to honor the agreement in these two scenarios, a tenant can serve them a notice of default on a lease agreement.

Non-payment of property taxes – In a lease agreement where the landlord is responsible for settling property taxes, the landlord is expected to face the consequences if they fail to pay and on time. A notice of default on the lease agreement can be issued to alert them of their mistake and urge them to take the necessary steps or otherwise face severe legal ramifications.

An excellent notice of default should be compliant with state laws and lease agreement terms. This means the contents of one default notice will vary from one to the other. However, a formal lease default notice should have the following fundamental components discussed below.

Date of notice

Firstly, a notice of default should be dated. This is the date when it was created. The effective date is important should the notice be used as a reference when resolving the issue at hand. Therefore, the date should be supplied to show the date, month, and year.

Date of Notice: 5^th May 20XX

Address of concerned premises

Secondly, the notice should identify the premises associated with the lease default notice. The property is identified by stating its location. The address shows the official street address, city, state, and zip of where the property is located.  The address information should be presented as follows;

Street address: Perth Street

City: Oregon

State: Kansas

Zip: 6543

Note: The state laws of where the premise is located are used to govern the lease agreement and the requirements of the default notice.

Recipient’s Name

Afterward, the notice of default should indicate who is being served (party at fault). They should be identified by their full official name.  Parties named by their title in the lease agreement should also be identified by the same title. For example;

Dear Mr. Patrice Harvey

Lease identification date

Next, the notice should clarify the lease agreement to which the party being served violates. The lease can be identified by providing information such as the premises in question, the lease agreement signatories, and the lease execution or signing date. For example;

This Notice of Default is being served in accordance with the Lease Agreement between Mr. Henry (lessor) and J.P Hemmings Consultancy (lessee) dated 11^th June 20XX.

Explain the default

The notice should then describe the issue at hand. The author of the notice should give a detailed description and clearly demonstrate how the other party has violated the lease agreement. For example;

This Notice of Default is being issued due to the following violations as per the lease agreement in place: Damage of property – as per the inspection carried out on 30^th November 20XX, 3 broken windows were identified on the second-floor room 209B. No evident steps of repair were observed.

Number of days to correct the lease violation

The notice of default then states the number of days awarded to the at-fault party to remedy the issue. This grace period begins from the official date of issuance of the notice. The issuer must consult local, state, and federal laws for the government to direct how much time should be allocated for some violations. It should appear on the notice as follows;

The named party is expected to take corrective measures within 15 days after the effective date of this notice. Failure to do so shall be deemed a lack of commitment to the lease, and I will result in taking more drastic measures as permitted by the Lease Agreement. This includes termination of the lease, retaining the deposit, and/or legal action as seen appropriate with the situation at hand.

Signature of the issuing party

The issuer should then provide their signature and name as a way of validating the notice of default on the lease agreement.

Signature: [issuer’s signature]   Name: Burke Bliss

Contact information of the issuing party

Finally, the issuer should leave contact information that the accused party can use to respond to the claims if they feel they are wrongly accused or want to take accountability. For example;

Phone Number: (324) 555-028

E-Mail: [email protected]

During the tenancy, misunderstandings are bound to occur from time to time. Some issues might be grave, while others tend to be minor. Depending on the severity of the problem, one can determine whether to issue a notice of default on a lease agreement. Communication should be the primary course of action for non-serious issues. Once this fails, one can seek other options – unilateral or judicial enforcement of one’s rights.

Legal enforcements are typically complex, expensive, and risky. Parties that do not follow the contractual terms and applicable laws before issuing a notice of default are potentially setting themselves up to fail, loss of money, and an uncalled-for counterclaim. That is why the informal resolution is recommended before and after issuing a default notice and during formal and legal proceedings. Discussions should be held on how the issue can be resolved and how to move forward – if eviction is an alternative, both parties can agree on how to ensure there is a smooth transition.

If informal resolutions do not bear fruit, formal proceedings can be sought after. Most states and lease agreements will have a laid-out procedure on how notices can be issued. Typically, a notice should be issued with certified mail with a return receipt. A return receipt can be presented in court as evidence that the accuser followed the correct procedure and would therefore hold up in court.

It is recommended that before a party opts to issue a notice of default, they should ascertain that the other party is violating the lease agreement. Below are two methods one can employ to ascertain before issuing a notice of default:

Consulting the lease agreement – Lease agreements will often have a variety of conditions that protect both parties from unlawful accusations by including contingencies and clear notice requirements. One should ensure that the issue at hand has fulfilled the precedent conditions before resulting in issuing a notice.

Consulting the applicable laws – Lease agreements are governed by government laws. Therefore, issuing a notice of default on lease agreement that goes against the provision of the governing laws would be termed unjust and might result in the at-fault party bypassing their contractual obligations.