Eviction Notice Templates (United States)

What an eviction notice is

An eviction notice is a written warning a landlord gives a tenant before going to court. It tells the tenant what is wrong, what they can do about it, and how long they have. In nearly every state, a proper notice is required before filing an eviction case. The notice itself does not end the tenancy or allow the landlord to remove anyone; it starts the clock.

The three notices in this set

• Notice to pay rent or quit. For unpaid rent. The tenant can pay the rent due within the notice period or move out.
• Notice to cure or quit. For a lease violation that can be fixed, such as an unapproved occupant, a pet, or noise. The tenant can fix the problem or move out.
• Unconditional notice to quit. For serious or repeated problems where the law does not require a chance to fix them, such as major damage or illegal activity. Many states limit or bar this notice for residential tenants.

Each notice in our template has its own fill fields and signature, and a shared proof of service at the end.

What every notice should include

• The date and the names of every tenant and adult occupant.
• The property address, including unit, city and county.
• For unpaid rent: the rental periods and the exact rent owed, with no extra charges unless the law allows them.
• For a violation: the lease section, what happened with dates, and how to fix it.
• The deadline to pay, fix or move out, counted the way the law requires.
• Where and how to pay, if payment is an option.
• The landlord’s signature and a completed proof of service.

State rules to check

• Notice periods, which can range from a few days to several weeks depending on the state and the reason.
• Required wording or forms. Some states and cities prescribe exact language, require notice of rental assistance or legal aid, or require a translated copy.
• Just cause rules that limit the reasons you can end a tenancy.
• Allowed delivery methods and how to count days, including weekends and holidays.
• What may be demanded, such as rent only or rent plus fees.
• Local pre-filing requirements, such as mediation or a waiting period in some places.

Mistakes that get cases dismissed

• Wrong amount. Asking for more than the rent due, or including fees the law excludes.
• Wrong period or bad counting. A deadline one day short can void the notice.
• Improper service and no proof of how it was delivered.
• Accepting rent after the notice in a way that waives it.
• Self-help. Changing locks, removing belongings or shutting off utilities can expose a landlord to damages and penalties.
• Retaliation or discrimination. A notice that follows a repair complaint or relates to a protected trait invites a strong defense.

Using notices with TenantLoop

TenantLoop keeps the tenant ledger current, so the rent due by period is ready when you fill in a notice. Messages and documents you send stay on the tenant record with dates, which helps when you need to show what was sent and when.