Eviction notice template

What an eviction notice is

An eviction notice is a formal written document from a landlord to a tenant that states a problem and gives the tenant a set number of days to fix it or move out. It is the first required step in most eviction processes, and it usually has to be served before a landlord can go to court. The notice does not remove the tenant by itself. Only a court order and, if needed, an officer can do that. The notice simply puts the tenant on formal notice, creates a paper trail, and gives them a chance to resolve the issue. Because it starts a legal process, it needs to be clear, dated, and accurate.

This is a general template and general information, not legal advice. Landlord and tenant law is set locally, and notice periods, required wording, and how the notice must be delivered vary a great deal by region. Some places require an exact form of words or a specific number of days. Check the rules where the property is, and for a contested or complicated situation, speak with a local expert before you serve a notice or file in court.

Common types of eviction notice

• Pay or quit. Used when rent is unpaid. It tells the tenant to pay the overdue rent within a set number of days or move out.
• Cure or quit. Used when the tenant broke a lease term, such as an unauthorized pet or subletting. It gives them a chance to fix the violation or leave.
• Unconditional quit. Used for serious or repeated problems, this tells the tenant to move out with no chance to fix the issue. It is limited by law in many places.
• End of tenancy notice. Used to end a month-to-month tenancy without cause, giving the required number of days notice.

The template below is written as a general pay-or-quit notice, since unpaid rent is the most common reason. You can adapt the reason and the wording for a cure-or-quit or end-of-tenancy notice, but always match the notice period and required language to your local law.

Free eviction notice template

Copy the template below, or open it in the fill tool and type your details onto the page. Every blank line is a field you complete.

NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT

Date: ____________________

To: [Tenant name] ____________________________
And all others in possession of:
  [Rental property address] ___________________________________

From: [Landlord or agent name] ________________________________
  Address: ____________________________________________________
  Phone / email: ______________________________________________

You are hereby notified that rent is now due and unpaid on the property you
occupy at the address above.

  Rental period(s) unpaid: __________________________________
  Total amount of rent due: $ ______________
  Late fees due (if any): $ ______________
  Total now owing: $ ______________

WITHIN ______ DAYS of receiving this notice, you must either:
  (1) pay the full amount owing listed above, or
  (2) move out of and give up possession of the property.

Payment should be made to: ____________________________________
By method: ____________________________________________________

If you do not pay the amount owing or move out within the time stated, the
landlord may begin legal proceedings to recover possession of the property,
the rent owed, and any costs allowed by law.

This notice is not a statement that you have already been evicted. It is a
required notice giving you the chance to pay or move out.

Landlord / agent signature: __________________   Date: ____________
Print name: ________________

PROOF OF SERVICE
This notice was served on [tenant name] ______________ on [date] ___________
by: [ ] personal delivery  [ ] posting on the door  [ ] mail  [ ] other ____
Served by: __________________   Signature: __________________

How to fill out the eviction notice

1. Open the template in the fill tool. Copy the text above, or start from the ready-made eviction notice form and load it into the fill a PDF tool.
2. Add the date and the parties. Enter the date, the tenant's full name, the rental address, and the landlord or agent's name and contact details.
3. State the amount owing. List the unpaid rental periods, the rent due, any late fees allowed by the lease, and the total now owing. Be exact, since errors can invalidate a notice.
4. Set the notice period. Fill in the number of days the tenant has to pay or move out. This period is set by local law, so use the correct number for your area.
5. Explain how to pay. Note where and how the tenant should pay, so there is no excuse for missing the deadline.
6. Sign the notice. The landlord or agent signs and dates it. Add the signature with the sign a PDF tool.
7. Serve it and record proof. Download a clean PDF with no watermark, deliver it the way your local law requires, and complete the proof of service so you can show when and how it was delivered.

Notice periods and local law

The number of days you must give is not something you choose. It is set by the law where the property is, and it often depends on the reason for the notice. A pay-or-quit notice might require a short period, while an end-of-tenancy notice with no cause may require thirty days or more. Some regions also require exact wording, translations, or specific notices for particular situations. Using the wrong number of days or the wrong form of words can void the notice and force you to start over, which delays everything. Before you serve anything, confirm the required period and language for your exact situation, and when in doubt, ask a local housing authority or lawyer.

Serving the notice properly

A notice only counts if it is delivered the way the law requires, and the clock usually starts from the day it is properly served. Common methods include handing it to the tenant in person, posting it on the door, and sending it by mail, but many places have strict rules about which method is allowed and whether more than one is needed. This is why the template includes a proof of service section. Fill it in with the date, the method, and who served it, and keep the completed notice, because if the matter reaches court, you will need to show that the tenant received proper notice. Skipping or fumbling service is one of the most common reasons an eviction is delayed.

What the notice does and does not do

It is worth being clear about the limits of an eviction notice, both for landlords and tenants. The notice is a warning and a required first step. It does not by itself force anyone out, change the locks, or remove belongings. If the tenant does not pay or leave within the period, the landlord's next step is usually to file with a court, and only a court order, enforced by an officer, can actually remove a tenant. Landlords who try to force a tenant out by changing locks or shutting off utilities can face serious penalties. Following the proper steps in order, starting with a correct notice, is what protects the landlord's position.

Try to resolve it first

Serving a notice starts a formal process that costs time and money and can sour a tenancy for good, so it is often worth a conversation first. If the issue is late rent, a tenant may be facing a temporary problem and be willing to agree to a short payment plan in writing. If it is a lease violation, a direct reminder sometimes fixes it without escalation. Keeping a written record of these conversations protects you either way. If the tenant will not respond or the problem continues, the notice remains your proper next step, and having tried to resolve it first can also reflect well if the matter later reaches a court.

Before you serve the notice

• Get the amount right. Double-check the rent owed and any lawful late fees, since an inflated figure can void the notice.
• Use the correct notice period. Match the number of days to your local law and the reason for the notice.
• Check required wording. Some regions demand specific language or an official form.
• Serve it the legal way. Use a delivery method your area allows, and record proof of service.
• Keep a copy. Save the served notice with the date and method for your records.

When your notice is ready, open the fill tool, complete it, and download a clean PDF you can sign and serve today. Because everything runs in your browser, a notice with private tenant details stays on your own device. This is general information, not legal advice, so confirm your local rules before acting.