Eviction & moving out
Can my landlord refuse to renew my lease?
In most places, yes - a fixed-term lease can simply end, with proper notice. Exceptions: retaliation, discrimination, and 'just cause' jurisdictions where non-renewal needs a legal reason.
The default rule is that neither side owes the other a renewal. But a non-renewal can't be a punishment for protected activity, can't be discriminatory, and in a growing set of places (California statewide, New Jersey, many cities) landlords need just cause to end even an expiring tenancy.
If a non-renewal lands suspiciously soon after a complaint, treat it like retaliation: gather the timeline and talk to a local tenant-rights group before you move.
The details vary by state. Your state's protections →
General educational information, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and city and change over time - for a specific situation, contact a local tenant-rights organization.