Managing a landlord-tenant relationship can be daunting. This relationship often requires eviction notices and vital legal documents to address and resolve tenancy concerns. Before sending a notice, the landlord must consider that there are several types of eviction notices. Furthermore, being familiar with them and understanding their purpose is best.
1. Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
This notice is used by a landlord to inform the tenant about their overdue rent or to vacate the occupied property. It is generally the first step in eviction if tenants do not pay rent on time.
Example
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This Notice informs you that you are currently defaulting on your rental agreement for the premises located at [Rental Property Address] due to the non-payment of rent.
As of [Date], the total amount of $[Amount Due] is past due. This includes any applicable late fees that remain unpaid.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1. Pay the rent. Settle your dues, the rent due, including late fees. Tenants must also ask for a receipt upon payment.
Action 2. Vacate the property. You must leave the premises by the date specified on the notice if you can’t pay your dues.
2. Notice to Cure or Quit
A landlord issues this notice to tenants who have violated a term or condition of the lease agreement in addition to non-payment of the rent. The document explicitly states the time to cure or fix the issue.
Example
NOTICE TO CURE OR QUIT
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This letter formally demands that you address a violation of the rental agreement for the property at [Rental Property Address].
The violation is as follows:
- Excessive Noise or Disturbance
- Failure to Maintain the Property
Based on your lease agreement, you must [describe the required action to cure the violation, e.g., consistently keep the property in order].
You have [number of days] from the date of this notice to correct this violation. If you fail, you must vacate the premises by [vacate date].
Please contact me as soon as possible to resolve this issue.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Fix the violation. Take action so you can resolve the issue stated on the notice.
Action 2: Document the actions taken. Keep the initiative done to fix the violation.
Action 3: Move out. Leave the property on the stated date if you can’t fix the violation.
3. Unconditional Quit Notice
This document demands a tenant vacate the property immediately. If this notice is sent, landlords do not offer an option to fix the issue. Unlike the previous two notices, the Unconditional Quit notice requires vacating the leased property regardless of the reason for the notice.
Example
UNCONDITIONAL QUIT NOTICE
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This notice informs you to vacate the property you’re occupying located at [Property Address] for the following reason(s):
- Serious property damage
- failure to settle rent dues for multiple months
- illegal drug activity within the premises
With this, you’re given [number of days] to leave the property and return any possession to the landlord. This notice is issued unconditionally, so there’s no option to cure or fix the issue.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Prepare to vacate the property. Pack your things and make the necessary arrangements to move out.
Action 2: Clean the property. It’s the tenant’s role to ensure the property is in good condition before leaving.
4. Notice to Vacate
As the name suggests, the landlord writes this notice to inform tenants to leave the property within a specified date. It's often issued when the property owner wants to terminate the lease agreement for specific reasons. An example of an eviction notice letter can be seen below.
Example
NOTICE TO VACATE THE PREMISES
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This is an official notice to formally inform you to vacate the property at [Rental Property Address] by [Date]. The notice is issued under the lease agreement terms and for the following reasons.
- Lease expiration
- The property is on sale
[Reason for notice: Lease expiration, landlord selling the property, landlord moving in, etc.]
Following [state/city law], you are given [number of days] to leave the premises. Please ensure all personal property is moved out and the keys are returned.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Review the notice. Check that the vacate date is correct and that the reason for vacating coincides with the lease terms.
Action 2: Check the security deposit. Ensure the property is free of damages to claim your security deposit back.
5. 30-Day, 60-Day, or 90-Day Notice
This document works like an advanced notice from the landlord informing the tenant to end the lease agreement or terminate the tenancy. The number of days indicated on this notice depends on the reason for the termination and the laws where the property is located.
Example
30-DAY NOTICE TO VACATE
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This letter formally requests that your rental property be vacated at [Rental Property Address] by [Date]. The notice is issued following the terms of our month-to-month rental agreement.
Please check that you have removed all personal property and returned the keys and other items the landlord owns.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Prepare to move out. You must start looking for alternative housing while preparing to vacate the property.
Action 2: Check your rights. If the notice is issued improperly, you can challenge it.
6. 0-Day, 60-Day, or 90-Day Notice
The landlord gives this eviction notice, specifying how long tenants have to fix issues or vacate the rental property. The length of the notice depends on various factors, such as the length of stay, specific laws, and the reason for termination.
Example
90-DAY NOTICE TO VACATE
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This is to formally inform you to vacate the property at [Rental Property Address] by [Date], which is 90 days from the date of this notice. This notice is being issued per [state/city law] because you have been a tenant for over one year.
Ensure that to remove all personal belongings, the property is in good condition when you vacate. Return all keys and any other items the landlord owns during the vacate date.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Move out on the specified time frame. Comply with the notice by leaving the property on schedule.
Action 2: Contact your landlord. You can communicate with the landlord for further clarification of the notice.
7. Notice of Termination for Cause
Landlords issue this notice when a tenant breaches the lease terms, such as failure to pay rent, damage to property, or illegal activities. The landlord may provide a specific time frame for correcting the issue.
Example
NOTICE OF TERMINATION FOR CAUSE
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This letter is a formal Notice of Termination for Cause regarding your tenancy at [Rental Property Address]. You are notified that your lease agreement is being terminated due to your violation of the lease term by failing to pay your monthly rent.
If you fail to rectify the issue within [x] days, the lease will be terminated, and you must vacate the property. Besides the eviction notice,
Ensure that this matter is addressed promptly to avoid further action.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Fix the issue. This only sometimes happens, but some landlords let tenants remedy the problem within a specific time frame.
Action 2: Talk with the landlord. An example of eviction notice might include the landlord’s contact details so you can quickly reach out to discuss the matter further.
8. Notice of Termination Without Cause
A landlord issues this eviction notice to inform tenants of the lease termination without any specific violation of the latter. The owner might want to renovate or sell the property. The notice period should be part of it, ranging from 30 to 90 days.
Example
NOTICE OF TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This is a notice that your lease agreement on the property at [Rental Property Address] is being terminated without cause, per the terms of our lease agreement and applicable laws. The termination takes effect on [Date], which is [30/60/90] days from today’s date of notice
Please be advised that the lease termination was made for personal reasons. Ensure to vacate the property on or before the specified date.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Start moving out. The landlord gives tenants ample time to vacate the property. It’s best to remove personal belongings one at a time.
Action 2: Review the notice. Check the contents of the eviction notice and ensure it complies with local laws.
9. Notice of Eviction for Non-Compliance
Landlords issue this notice to tenants of their eviction after failing to comply with the lease’s terms and conditions. The document must also contain the specific violations the tenant incurred.
Example
NOTICE OF EVICTION FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
Due to your non-compliance with the terms of your lease agreement, you’re evicted from your rented property at [Rental Property Address]. The reason for this action is as follows:
Reason for Eviction:
- failure to pay rent,
- unauthorized subletting
- property damage
Based on your lease agreement, you’re given the chance to remedy the issues. However, despite the efforts offered, the problems remained unresolved, and the cure time frame provided had already expired.
This notice informs you that you must vacate the property by [Date], which is [X] days from the date of this notice. If you fail to vacate the property on time, legal actions will be taken.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Cure the issue on time. If the landlord lets you fix the situation, comply with it within the given grace period.
Action 2: Check the content of the notice. Verify the content of the notice and check its accuracy and compliance with local laws.
10. Notice of Eviction for Holdover
This is an eviction notice given to tenants who have overstayed the rental agreement and continue to occupy the premises without the landlord’s permission. The tenant is called a ‘holdover’ when they stay on the leased property even after the agreement has expired.
Example
NOTICE OF EVICTION FOR HOLDOVER
Dear [Tenant’s Name],
This letter formally informs you that you will be evicted due to your holdover status at [Rental Property Address].
Your rental agreement has expired as of [Lease End Date], yet you’re still staying at the property without the landlord’s consent. Therefore, you are hereby advised to vacate the property immediately.
If you fail to do so by [Eviction Deadline Date] (which is [number of days] from the date of this notice), the landlord will take legal action to evict you from the premises.
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Action Required
Action 1: Contact the landlord. You can negotiate with the landlord if you need more time or want to renew your lease agreement.
Action 2: Move out. The example of an eviction notice states that you must leave the property. Do this within the given time frame.
FAQs
Q: Is it necessary to pay rent after receiving an eviction notice?
A: Yes. Tenants must settle their rent dues despite receiving eviction notices unless they’re specifically instructed otherwise.
Q: What is the distinct difference between a Notice to Pay Rent or Quit and a Notice to Cure or Quit?
A: The Notice to Pay Rent is issued to tenants who have yet to pay rent and are given the option to settle their dues or move out. Meanwhile, the Notice to Cure or Quit is given when a tenant violates lease terms and is given the chance to cure the issue.
Q: Can landlords issue an Unconditional Quit Notice without cause?
A: Yes. However, this notice only applies to specific situations, and the nature of the tenancy and local laws will determine the extent to which it applies.
Q: How much time do I have after receiving a Notice to Vacate?
A: The time frame could range from thirty to ninety days. This depends on the terms the landlord imposes and the local laws within the jurisdiction.
Conclusion
Eviction notices are legal documents necessary for a landlord-tenant relationship. The example of an eviction notice listed above presents straightforward formats that any landlord can use. To make it easier for you, explore the eviction notice templates available at PDF Agile Template Center. They’re customizable, so you can edit them seamlessly, making the notice your own.
