Free eviction notice template, built with AI

Please note: this template is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. Eviction notice periods, wording and delivery rules differ by state and city, and some areas have extra tenant protections. Always check your local law or speak with a lawyer before serving a notice.

What is an eviction notice?

An eviction notice is a written notice from a landlord to a tenant saying the tenant has broken the lease, most often by not paying rent, and must fix the problem or move out by a certain date. It’s the required first step before a landlord can file an eviction case in court. A landlord can’t legally change the locks or remove a tenant’s belongings just by giving notice; only a court can order an eviction.

This eviction notice template is a “notice to pay rent or quit”, the most common type, laid out clearly so the tenant knows exactly what’s owed and by when.

Types of eviction notice

• Pay rent or quit: the tenant must pay overdue rent or move out within a set number of days.
• Cure or quit: the tenant must fix another lease violation, such as an unauthorized pet, or move out.
• Unconditional quit: the tenant must move out with no chance to fix the problem. This is only allowed in limited situations.
• Notice of termination: ends a month-to-month tenancy with the required notice, where the law allows it.

What to include in an eviction notice

• Date of the notice.
• Tenant’s name(s) and the full property address.
• Landlord’s name and contact details.
• The amount of rent owed and the periods it covers.
• The deadline, in days, set by your state’s law.
• How and where the tenant can pay.
• Landlord’s signature and a proof-of-service section.

How to serve an eviction notice

How you deliver the notice matters as much as what it says. Common methods include handing it to the tenant in person, leaving it with another adult at the property and mailing a copy, or posting it on the door and mailing a copy. Your state decides which methods count. Fill in the proof-of-service section with the date, time and method, and keep a copy, because you may need it in court.

What happens after the notice?

If the tenant pays in full or fixes the problem before the deadline, the matter usually ends there. If not, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit, often called an unlawful detainer. The tenant has the right to respond and appear in court. Only after a court rules in the landlord’s favor can a sheriff or marshal carry out the eviction.

Eviction notice questions