Lease dictionary
Automatic renewal clause
A clause that renews your lease by itself unless you opt out by a deadline.
An automatic renewal (or 'evergreen') clause rolls your lease into a new term - sometimes a full year - unless you give notice by a cutoff, often 30–60 days before the end date. Miss it and you're bound again.
Several states require landlords to remind you before an auto-renewal locks in, or limit renewals to month-to-month. The reminder rules are widely ignored, which can void the renewal.
Watch out
Calendar the opt-out deadline the day you sign. It's the single most expensive date renters forget.
See it in action
The Notice to vacate letter puts this term to work for you.