Use this eviction notice template to give a tenant clear written notice for unpaid rent, lease violations, or the end of a rental term. Build your document in minutes with Document Genius’s guided form, then download it as a PDF or Word file, print it, or sign and manage it online.
Enter the tenant's name, rental property address, and violation details.
Specify if the violation is curable or incurable and set a deadline for corrective action.
Sign the notice and deliver it to the tenant, keeping a copy for your records.
Choose your state below to learn about local laws and requirements and start creating an eviction notice tailored to your state.
The type of eviction notice you need depends on the reason for the notice. Select the option that matches your situation.
An eviction notice is a written notice from a landlord to a tenant that explains a problem with the tenancy or ends the rental agreement. It is usually the first formal step before filing an eviction case in court. An eviction case is sometimes called an unlawful detainer action in many state laws.
Depending on the situation, the notice may tell the tenant to pay overdue rent, fix a lease violation, or move out by a specific date. With Document Genius, you can create a customizable template that is easy to complete and tailored to your state.
Eviction notices may also be called:
Landlords often use an eviction notice template when they need to document a tenancy problem clearly and formally.
An eviction notice does not remove a tenant right away. Instead, it gives them time to respond, fix the issue, or leave before a landlord moves to the next legal step.
An eviction notice is usually a short, one-page document with the key facts a tenant needs to understand what happens next.
Document Genius’s step-by-step questionnaire helps you fill in each section quickly, so your notice is clear, complete, and ready to download.
You can write an eviction notice by listing the tenant, rental property, past-due rent, deadline to pay, and delivery method. Document Genius helps you complete each section step by step, so your notice is clear, organized, and ready to serve.
Start by entering the state where the rental property is located, because eviction rules and notice periods depend on state law. Then add the date of the notice, the tenant’s full name, and the rental property address exactly as shown in the lease.
Include the date of the lease agreement so the notice clearly connects to the rental contract. This helps identify which tenancy the notice applies to and supports your records if the matter moves forward.
If you need to review the original agreement, you can reference your signed lease agreement or related rental documents.
List the rental period covered by the unpaid rent, then fill in the amount of rent past due, any late fee, and the total amount owed. Keep these numbers accurate and easy to read, because the tenant needs to know exactly what they must pay to cure the issue.
Enter the number of days the tenant has to pay the full amount or move out. This deadline must follow your state’s notice rules and any lease terms that apply.
Tip: Use the exact number of days required by your state. A notice with the wrong deadline may not hold up if you need to file an eviction case later.
Your template lets you choose how the tenant can pay the past-due rent. Select the option that matches your usual rent collection method, then fill in the required details.
Some states require extra statements in the notice. For example, your template includes optional language for California about abandoned property and for Maine about reinstating the tenancy after payment. Only include these sections when they apply to the rental property’s state.
At the end of the notice, reference the lease and the state statute that supports the notice. This shows that the notice is being given under the rental agreement and the law that applies in your state.
Sign and date the notice, then include the landlord’s name, address, and phone number. This makes the notice official and gives the tenant a clear way to respond or make payment.
The proof of service section records how the notice was delivered. Check the delivery method used, such as personal delivery, posted delivery, certified mail, or registered mail, then add the date, address, and recipient details.
This section can be important if you later need to show that the tenant received the notice properly.
Notice periods depend on the state and the reason for the notice. For example, some states allow a short notice period for unpaid rent, while others require more time for lease violations or month-to-month terminations.
| State | Non-Payment Notice | Non-Compliance / Misconduct Notice | Month-to-Month Termination Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7 business days | Generally 7 business days; 7 days for drug/crimes | 30 days |
| Alaska | 7 days | Generally 10 days; 24 hrs for damage; 5 days for illegal activity | 30 days |
| Arizona | 5 days | Generally 10 days; 5 days for health/safety hazard; immediate for irreparable breach | 30 days |
| Arkansas | 3 days | Generally 14 days; sooner for health/safety emergencies | 30 days |
| California | 3 days | 3 days | 30 days (<1 year); 60 days (or more than 1 year); 90 days (Section 8 tenants) |
You must deliver the notice in a legally accepted way. Common delivery methods include personal delivery, posting the notice at the property, or mailing it with proof of delivery. The right method depends on your state and local rules.
Document Genius helps you prepare a notice you can download, print, and serve, and it makes it easier to keep a copy for your records.
After receiving the notice, the tenant usually has three options:
If the deadline passes and the issue is not resolved, the landlord may be able to file an eviction case with the local court. A judge, not the landlord, decides whether the tenant must leave.
If the tenant plans to leave voluntarily, they may provide a written notice of intent to vacate confirming their move-out date.
Do not change the locks, remove belongings, or shut off utilities without a court order. Those actions are illegal in many places and can create bigger problems for the landlord.
Officially notify the other party of the intention to end a lease agreement.
Notify a landlord or tenant of the decision to end a lease agreement professionally.
Establish clear terms, rules, and responsibilities for renting out a room in your home.
Set up a flexible rental arrangement that suits both landlord and tenant needs.
Use to formally request unpaid money by clearly outlining the amount owed, the reason for payment, and the deadline for resolving it.
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