Formal Notice to a Tenant: What to Include (With a Sample Letter)

• It works – Many tenants pay or propose a payment arrangement as soon as they receive a formal letter, especially from a lawyer.


• It is sometimes mandatory – Before enforcing security, the law requires you to give the tenant reasonable advance notice and an opportunity to remedy the breach.


• It serves as evidence – A documented notice proves that the tenant knew about the breach and your demand, strengthening any subsequent proceedings.


• It sets a deadline – Once a clear deadline is set, "a little more time" is no longer open-ended.

• Identifying details – Your name, the tenant's name, the property address, and the date of the lease agreement.


• A precise description of the breach – Which obligations have not been met: which months remain unpaid, which ongoing bill is outstanding, what damage has not been repaired, or whether the lease has ended without the apartment being returned.


• The amount owed – The exact debt and how it was calculated, including any indexation or interest under the agreement.


• The relevant lease clauses – References to the clauses breached, especially where the breach is defined as a fundamental breach.


• A demand and deadline – What the tenant must do and by when. Set a reasonable, clear deadline, such as 7 or 14 days, depending on the severity of the breach.


• The consequences – What will happen if the breach is not remedied: termination of the lease, a claim for eviction, enforcement of security, a monetary claim, and recovery of costs.


• Reservation of rights – A statement clarifying that the letter does not waive any rights or claims.

The following is a general example only and should be adapted to the circumstances and the specific lease agreement.

To: [Tenant's name], [Property address]

Subject: Notice of breach of lease agreement dated [Date]

1. Under the lease agreement signed between us on [Date], you undertook to pay monthly rent of [Amount] ₪ by day [Day] of each month.

2. As of today, rent for [Months] remains unpaid, totaling [Amount] ₪. This constitutes a fundamental breach of clause [Number] of the agreement.

3. You are required to pay the outstanding debt in full by [Date].

4. If the debt is not paid by the deadline, I will take steps to terminate the agreement, file a claim for eviction and a monetary claim, and enforce the security provided under the agreement and applicable law, all at your expense.

5. Nothing in this letter shall prejudice any right or claim available to me under the agreement or applicable law.

Sincerely, [Landlord's name], [Signature], [Date]

The basic structure stays the same, but the demand and next step depend on the tenant's breach:

• Unpaid rent: Payment of the full debt by a specified deadline · Termination of the lease and a claim for eviction, enforcement of security


• Outstanding ongoing bills: Settlement of the debt with the authority or service provider and submission of confirmation · Enforcement of security up to the amount owed


• Unrepaired damage: Repair of the damage or payment of the repair cost · Enforcement of security up to the repair cost, a monetary claim


• Failure to vacate at the end of the lease: Vacating the property and returning the keys by a specified deadline · A claim for eviction and a claim for use and occupation charges


• Subletting without consent: Ending the sublease · Termination of the lease and a claim for eviction

A letter has little value if you cannot prove it was delivered. Use a method that leaves a record, preferably more than one:

• Registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt – The standard method, sent to the property address and any other address specified in the lease.


• Email – To the address the tenant provided in the lease or one you have previously used to correspond.


• WhatsApp or text message – Send an image of the letter, save the read receipt, and retain any reply from the tenant.


• Hand delivery – Have the tenant sign a copy, or deliver it in the presence of a witness.

• Threats – Do not threaten to change the locks, disconnect electricity or water, or contact the tenant's employer or family. Such threats could be used against you.


• Unlawful demands – For example, demanding forfeiture of the entire deposit for any breach, which the law prohibits.


• Defamatory statements and personal accusations – Keep the letter factual and precise. A court will read it.


• Promises you will not keep – If you state that you will file a claim on a specific date, be prepared to do so.

A letter from you may be enough for a first, minor breach. But a letter on a lawyer's letterhead carries more weight, is drafted to support subsequent proceedings, and avoids potentially costly mistakes. When several months' rent is owed or a tenant refuses to leave, legal support for tenant evictions from this stage can shorten the process.

If the deadline passes without the breach being remedied, it is time to take the steps outlined in your letter: file a claim for eviction, enforce the security up to the legally permitted amount, and file a monetary claim for the balance. The formal notice will be attached to the claim as evidence that you gave the tenant a fair opportunity to remedy the breach.

• Early identification of arrears through monthly payment monitoring.


• Drafting and sending legally compliant notices with support from the legal team we work with.


• Tracking deadlines and moving promptly to the next stage if the tenant does not comply.

Is your tenant late with rent? Leave your details on our legal support page, and we will make sure the notice is sent correctly and on time.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and you should consult a lawyer before taking action.