Eviction Notice Templates

State-Specific Eviction Notices

Eviction laws vary by state—especially regarding notice periods, delivery methods, and tenant rights. Use a state-specific eviction notice to stay compliant and meet local legal requirements.

Types of Eviction Notices

Choose the right template for late rent, lease violations, illegal activity, or tenant relocation agreements.

Notice to Pay or Quit (Non-Payment)

This notice lets the tenant know they haven’t paid rent and gives them a set number of days to either pay the full amount or move out of the rental unit.

Notice to Comply or Quit (Non-Compliance)

The landlord gives this notice when a tenant breaks a rule in the lease. The tenant must fix the problem (like removing a pet or stopping noise complaints) or move out by the deadline.

Notice to Quit for Illegal Activity

This notice is sent when the landlord believes illegal activity happened at the rental. It usually means the tenant must move out right away, with no chance to fix the issue.

Cash-for-Keys

This agreement is used when a landlord offers a tenant money in exchange for moving out voluntarily. It helps avoid a formal eviction and gives both parties a clear understanding of the terms, including the move-out date and payment amount.

Warning Letter for Smoking Marijuana

This letter warns a tenant that smoking marijuana violates the lease or building policies. It documents the issue and gives the tenant a chance to stop the behavior before further action is taken.

Eviction Notices by Notice Period

Choose the right template based on the required number of days for notice in your state.

Notifies tenants they must fix a lease violation or move out within three days.

3-Day

Gives tenants five days to address a lease violation, such as non-payment of rent.

5-Day

Allows tenants seven days to remedy a lease breach or leave the property.

7-Day

Provides tenants 10 days to resolve an issue or vacate the property.

10-Day

Grants tenants fourteen days to correct a violation or leave the property.

14-Day

Terminates a month-to-month lease, giving tenants sixty days to vacate.

60-Day

What Is an Eviction Notice?

An eviction notice—also known as a notice to quit—is a formal document a landlord gives to a tenant to address a lease violation or request that they move out. It explains the issue—such as unpaid rent, property damage, or other lease violations—and, if fixable, gives the tenant a chance to correct it.

Eviction notices are often required before a landlord can file a legal eviction in court. If the tenant doesn’t leave on their own, a sheriff or law enforcement officer may remove them and their belongings after the court approves the eviction.

Our eviction notice template makes it easy to start the eviction process correctly. To stay compliant with local laws and timelines, choose a state-specific form based on your reason for eviction. If you’re looking for more voluntary move-out notices, you may want to use a notice to vacate instead.

Common Reasons for Evicting a Tenant

Landlords can’t evict a tenant without a legal reason. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Not paying rent: The tenant has not paid rent on time, and the landlord has not received the full amount owed.
• Breaking the lease agreement: The tenant is not following the lease agreement terms, such as having an unauthorized pet, extra people living in the unit, or smoking where it’s not allowed.
• Damaging the property: The tenant caused serious damage beyond normal wear and tear, and didn’t fix it after being asked.
• Illegal activity: There is evidence of illegal actions at the property, such as drug use or other criminal behavior.
• Disturbing other tenants or neighbors: The tenant is creating repeated noise, threats, or other problems that affect people living nearby.
• Refusing to leave after the lease ends: The tenant stays in the rental unit after the lease is over and doesn’t have permission to remain.

Notice Periods & Laws – By State

Use the table below to find out which type of notice you need to provide based on state-specific applicable periods and laws:

How to Write an Eviction Notice?

Writing an eviction notice requires clarity and precision to ensure it’s legally valid. Each state has specific rules on what details must be included, such as the reason for eviction and the required notice period. By following these steps, you can create an enforceable notice that protects your rights as a landlord.

1. Fill Out Landlord Details, Tenant Information, & Property Address

Fill in your information as the landlord, including your name, address, and phone number. This way, the tenant can communicate with you, either to get clarification on addressing the violation or to inform you that they’ll comply and move out.

Also, provide the tenant’s name and property address to clearly identify the intended recipient. If there are multiple tenants on the lease, make sure you add all of them to avoid future problems. When you use our template, you can easily name multiple tenants.

2. Reference the Lease & Associated Violation

Note the date that you and the tenants entered into the original agreement and name the violation. Our template offers pre-written options for you to easily choose from, which include:

• failing to pay rent
• violating the lease
• remaining on the property
• terminating a periodic tenancy

Then, state whether the violation is curable or incurable. You also have the option to reference the specific lease provision that the tenant broke for greater clarity.

Finally, if the breach can be cured, provide a deadline by which the tenant must fix the lease violation and ways they can correct it.

3. Reference State Statutes & Sign the Notice

Referencing the relevant state statutes will help streamline the eviction process if you have to proceed. Our lease eviction notice builder will populate the notice with applicable state laws and the section numbers, so you don’t have to look up the statutes yourself.

Sign the notice and specify the date you’re writing the notice so the established deadlines are clear. If needed, differentiate between the date you sign the notice and the date the tenant receives it.

Do I Need to Get an Eviction Notice Notarized?

In most cases, it is not necessary to get an eviction notice notarized. Your signature and the information provided will let the tenant know that they need to follow the notice’s terms.

4. Collect Proof of Service Information

In most states, you will need to provide proof of service to the tenant as part of moving forward with the eviction process. Proof of service is evidence that you submitted the notice and that the tenant received it. You can serve an eviction notice via the following methods:

• personal delivery
• substituted delivery (via someone living at the residence)
• posted delivery
• mailed delivery

When you use our template, you can choose whether you want to include proof of service. Even if your area’s laws don’t require it, it’s wise to provide it so you can prove when and how the tenant received the notice.

Eviction Notice Sample

If you’re wondering what an eviction notice looks like you can view a sample of our template below. You can customize this eviction notice template using our document editor, you can then download your completed form in PDF or Word format.

Next Steps After Serving an Eviction Notice

Serving the notice is just the beginning. What happens next depends on your state’s laws, the type of violation, and how the tenant responds.

• Wait for the notice period to pass: Tenants must be given the full notice period to correct the issue or move out. Depending on the state and reason for eviction, this can range from a few days to over a month.
• Avoid “self-help” evictions: Landlords are not allowed to change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove tenant belongings without a court order, and these actions are illegal in most states.
• File for formal eviction if needed: If the tenant doesn’t comply, you’ll likely need to file an eviction lawsuit (often called an “unlawful detainer”) in your local court. This is a separate legal process that may require a hearing.
• Understand tenant rights: Tenants have legal protections, including the right to contest the eviction in court. Following the correct legal process helps prevent delays or your case being dismissed.

Simplify the Eviction Notice Process

Legal Templates provides state-specific eviction notices that help landlords take swift action to reclaim their property.

Our customizable templates ensure compliance with state laws while clearly communicating the reason for eviction, reducing errors and potential delays. With our easy-to-use platform, landlords can create compelling notices that encourage tenant compliance and potentially avoid lengthy legal battles.

Frequently Asked Questions