Eviction notice periods by state
How much notice a landlord must give before filing an eviction case: for unpaid rent, for a lease violation and to end a month-to-month tenancy.
Leases, local laws and the type of housing can change these periods. Read your state's full rule, and get legal help if you have a notice.
| State | Unpaid rent | Lease violation | Month-to-month | Time to respond in court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7 business days 7-business-day written notice to pay. | 7-business-day notice to fix the problem or the lease ends. | Landlord or tenant: written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date that ends the tenancy. | 7 calendar days after you are served with the eviction complaint to file a written answer on the possession claim (14 days for a money claim in district court). |
| Alaska | 7 days 7-day written notice to pay or leave, stating the correct amount of rent owed. | 10-day written notice for a serious breach of the lease or tenant duties that endangers health and safety. | Landlord or tenant: written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date that ends the tenancy. | You have 20 days to file a written answer, but the possession hearing is held within 15 days after filing (you must be served at least 2 days before it) and usually happens before the answer is due. |
| Arizona | 5 days 5-day written notice to pay. | 10-day notice to cure for a material lease violation; 5-day notice to cure for a health-and-safety violation (calendar days). | Landlord or tenant: at least 30 days' written notice before the rent due date. | The summons sets a trial/return date 3 to 6 days after it is issued, and you must be served at least 2 days before. |
| Arkansas | 3 days Most evictions are 'unlawful detainer' cases. | Under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act: written notice that the lease will end at least 14 days after you receive it if you do not fix the problem (per Legal Aid of Arkansas). | Landlord or tenant: one rental period's notice (for example, one month for month-to-month) if there is no written lease; otherwise follow the lease. | 5 days after you are served, not counting Sundays and legal holidays, to file a written objection with the court clerk. |
| California | 3 business days 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. | 3-day notice to cure (fix) or quit for a fixable lease violation (weekends and court holidays not counted). | Landlord: 30 days if any tenant has lived there less than one year; 60 days if everyone has lived there a year or more; 90 days for some subsidized tenancies. | 10 days after you are served, not counting Saturdays, Sundays or court holidays. |
| Colorado | 10 days 10-day written demand to pay rent or move out (5 days for an 'exempt residential agreement': a single-family home rented by a landlord who owns five or fewer single-family rentals and says so in the lease). | 10-day notice to comply with the lease or move out (5 days for exempt residential agreements). | If you have lived there at least 12 months, most landlords need a legal 'cause' to end your tenancy or refuse to renew (for-cause eviction law, HB24-1098, since April 19, 2024). | The summons sets an appearance date 7 to 14 days after it is issued. |
| Connecticut | 3 days You have a 9-day grace period after rent is due (4 days for weekly tenancies), extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system kept you from paying on time. | For most lease violations the landlord must first give a written notice listing the problem and a termination date at least 15 days after you receive it. | No statute sets a notice period to end a month-to-month tenancy. | You must file an appearance with the court no later than 2 days after the return date on the summons. |
| Delaware | 7 days After the 5-day late-fee grace period passes, the landlord must give a written demand for the past-due rent giving you at least 7 days to pay before filing. | 7-day written notice to correct a material rule or lease violation. | Landlord or tenant: at least 60 days' written notice, counted from the first day of the month after notice is given. | No written answer is required before the hearing. |
| District of Columbia | 10 days No eviction case for nonpayment if you owe less than $600. | 30-day notice to correct a lease violation (other than nonpayment). | Landlords cannot end a tenancy just because the lease expired or by a simple month-to-month notice: as long as you pay rent, you can be evicted only for reasons listed in the law (for example 90 days' notice for the owner's personal use or a sale for personal use, 30 days for a lease violation). | Not set by statute. |
| Florida | 3 business days 3-day written notice to pay or leave. | 7-day notice to cure for fixable violations (for example unauthorized pets, guests or vehicles, or not keeping the unit clean). | Landlord or tenant: at least 30 days' written notice before the end of a monthly period. | 5 days after you are served, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. |
| Georgia | 3 business days For leases signed or renewed on or after July 1, 2024 (Safe at Home Act): before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give you a written notice to pay all past-due rent, late fees, utilities and other charges or move out within 3 business days. | No statutory cure period. | Tenancy-at-will (including month-to-month without a lease): the landlord must give 60 days' notice to end it or change the rent; the tenant must give 30 days' notice. | 7 days after you are served with the dispossessory affidavit (if the 7th day is a weekend or holiday, the next business day). |
| Hawaii | 10 days From February 5, 2026: a 10-calendar-day written notice to pay. | Written notice giving at least 10 days to fix the problem (HRS §§ 521-69, 521-72, per OCP Handbook). | Landlord: at least 45 days' written notice (120 days if the landlord plans demolition, condo conversion or vacation-rental conversion). | Not stated in the code or handbook reviewed. |
| Idaho | 3 days 3-day written notice stating the amount due and demanding payment or possession. | 3-day written notice to fix the lease violation or leave. | Landlord or tenant: at least 1 month's written notice. | For nonpayment (expedited case), the court sets trial within 12 days of filing and you must be served at least 5 days before trial; go to the trial date. |
| Illinois | 5 days 5-day written notice demanding the rent. | 10-day notice to quit for a lease violation. | Landlord: 30 days' written notice for any tenancy shorter than one year other than week-to-week; 7 days for week-to-week. | No statutory written-answer deadline. |
| Indiana | 10 days 10-day notice to pay or leave, unless the lease says otherwise; if you pay all the rent before the 10 days run out, the lease cannot be ended for that nonpayment. | No general statutory cure period for lease violations; the landlord must give notice of the problem and a reasonable time to fix it before suing for damages (IC 32-31-7-7). | One month's written notice, by landlord or tenant, unless the lease says otherwise. | No written answer is required in a small claims eviction. |
| Iowa | 3 days 3-day written notice to pay the rent or the lease will end. | 7-day written notice to fix the problem. | Landlord or tenant: at least 30 days' written notice before the rent due date named in the notice. | No written answer deadline is set. |
| Kansas | 3 days 3-day written notice to pay or the lease ends. | Written notice that the lease will end at least 30 days after you receive it unless you fix the problem within 14 days. | Landlord or tenant: written notice ending the tenancy on a rent due date at least 30 days after the notice is received. | The summons sets an appearance date 3 to 14 days after it is issued. |
| Kentucky | 7 days URLTA areas: a written 7-day notice to pay the rent or the lease will end (KRS 383.660(2)). | URLTA areas: a written notice describing the violation, saying the lease will end on a date at least 14 days after you receive it unless you fix it (statute says fix within 15 days). | URLTA areas: 30 days' written notice before a rent due date, for either side; week-to-week, 7 days (KRS 383.695). | No written answer is required. |
| Louisiana | 5 days Written notice to vacate giving you at least 5 days from delivery (Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701). | Same written 5-day notice to vacate (unless waived in the lease). | Written notice at least 10 calendar days before the end of the month, from either side (Civil Code arts. | No written answer is required. |
| Maine | 7 days Tenancy at will: a written 7-day notice once you are 7 or more days behind on rent. | Tenancy at will: a 7-day notice for substantial damage, nuisance, making the home unfit, violence or threats, or unauthorized occupants; otherwise a 30-day notice (14 M.R.S. §6002). | At least 30 days' written notice from either side. | The eviction (forcible entry and detainer) summons gives a court date; go to it. |
| Maryland | 10 days Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give you a written notice of intent to file, on the form made by the Maryland Judiciary, giving you 10 days to pay. | 30 days' written notice for a lease violation; 14 days if the behavior shows a clear and imminent danger of serious harm. | Landlord: written notice 60 days before the end of a month-to-month tenancy or a lease longer than a week; 90 days for year-to-year. | In a failure-to-pay-rent case, the summons sets trial for the fifth day after the complaint is filed (§8-401(b)(4)); you do not have to file a written answer, but you must appear at trial. |
| Massachusetts | 14 days A written 14-day notice to quit. | No statute sets a specific number of days for lease violations. | Written notice of one full rental period or 30 days, whichever is longer, ending on a rent day; either side (M.G.L. c. | File and serve your written answer by the first Monday after the Monday 'entry date' on the summons. |
| Michigan | 7 days A written 7-day demand for possession (notice to quit) for unpaid rent (MCL 554.134(2); 600.5714(1)(a)). | For a lease that allows termination for a violation, the lease terms apply; for a tenancy at will, one rental period's notice. | One rental period's written notice (one month for month-to-month), from either side (MCL 554.134(1)). | The summons gives a court hearing date; go to the hearing and bring your defenses. |
| Minnesota | 14 days Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give a written 14-day notice listing the total owed, a breakdown of rent and fees, who to pay, and legal aid and rental assistance information. | No statewide notice required for a material lease violation unless the lease requires one; check your lease. | Written notice at least as long as the rent period (one month for month-to-month), or 3 months if less; from either side (Minn. | The court hearing is set 7 to 14 days after the summons is issued; go to the hearing (Minn. |
| Mississippi | 3 days A written 3-day notice (or by email or text if you agreed in writing) saying the lease will end if the rent is not paid within 3 days (Miss. | A written 14-day notice describing the breach; if you fix it within 14 days, the lease does not end. | 30 days' written notice from either side; week-to-week, 7 days. | The summons names a hearing date; go to the hearing and present any defense. |
| Missouri | No notice required No written notice period is required. | No general statutory notice or right to cure; lease terms apply. | Written notice ending on a rent due date at least one month after it is received, from either side (RSMo 441.060). | The summons sets a court date no more than 21 business days after it is issued, and must be served at least 4 days before. |
| Montana | 3 days Written 3-day notice to pay rent or the lease will end (MCA 70-24-422(2)). | Written 14-day notice for most lease violations; you can avoid termination by fixing the problem before the date. | At least 30 days' written notice from either side; week-to-week, 7 days (MCA 70-24-441). | Not confirmed |
| Nebraska | 7 days 7-day written notice to pay. | 30-day notice: the lease ends at least 30 days after you receive the notice unless you fix the problem within 14 days. | Landlord or tenant: written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date that ends the tenancy. | No written answer deadline. |
| Nevada | 7 business days 7-day notice to pay rent or quit (summary eviction). | 5-day notice to fix (cure) the lease violation or move out. | Landlord: at least 30 days' written notice for month-to-month (7 days for week-to-week). | To stop a summary eviction you must file a Tenant's Affidavit (Answer) with the justice court before the close of business on the 7th judicial day after you were served with the pay-or-quit notice. |
| New Hampshire | 7 days For unpaid rent the landlord must give you a written demand for the rent and a written eviction notice of at least 7 days (RSA 540:2, II(a); RSA 540:3, II). | Substantial damage to the unit, or behavior by you or your guests that adversely affects others' health or safety: 7-day eviction notice. | Tenant: 30 days' notice that ends on a rent due date. | File an 'Appearance' form with the court by the return day printed on the Landlord and Tenant Writ (the return day is not the hearing date). |
| New Jersey | No notice required No notice is required before the landlord files for unpaid rent (except a 14-day notice in federally subsidized housing). | A written Notice to Cease (warning) first, then a Notice to Quit. Disorderly conduct: Notice to Quit at least 3 days before filing. | The landlord cannot end a tenancy or refuse to renew a lease without one of the 'good causes' listed in the Anti-Eviction Act (expiration of the lease is not a cause). | No written answer. |
| New Mexico | 3 days 3-day written notice to pay rent (including late fees if the lease allows them). | 7-day notice to fix a lease violation. | Landlord or tenant: 30 days' written notice before the next rent due date. | No written answer deadline is set by statute. |
| New York | 14 days 14-day written rent demand to pay or leave, served as the law requires. | No general statewide cure period in Article 7; it depends on your lease. | Landlord, based on how long you have lived there: less than 1 year, 30 days; 1 to 2 years, 60 days; 2 years or more, 90 days. | Generally you answer at the first court date, orally or in writing (RPAPL 743). |
| North Carolina | 10 days The landlord must demand the past-due rent and wait 10 days before filing (G.S. | No statewide cure notice. | 7 days' notice for month-to-month (either side). | No written answer is required. |
| North Dakota | 3 days 3-day written notice of intention to evict before the landlord can file in court. | 3-day written notice of intention to evict for breaking a material term of a written lease. | At least one calendar month's written notice by either side, unless you agreed in writing to a longer period. | The court summons sets a hearing 3 to 15 days after it is issued. |
| Ohio | 3 days 3-day notice to leave the premises before the landlord can file. | For breaking duties that materially affect health and safety, the landlord may give a written notice ending the lease at least 30 days after you receive it. | At least 30 days before the next rent due date, by landlord or tenant. | The summons gives the hearing date; it must be served on you at least 7 days before that date (Ohio Rev. Code 1923.06). |
| Oklahoma | 5 days 5-day written notice demanding payment. | 10 days to fix (cure) the problem: the notice must say the lease ends at least 15 days after you get it unless you fix it within 10 days. | At least 30 days' written notice by either side. | No written answer is required before trial. |
| Oregon | 10 days For monthly tenancies, either a 10-day notice given no sooner than the 8th day of the rental period, or a 13-day notice given no sooner than the 5th day (counting the day rent is due). | 30-day notice for a material lease violation. | Tenant: 30 days' written notice. | The court sets a first appearance 7 days after the filing (15 days for nonpayment cases), and it may be delayed up to 7 more days. |
| Pennsylvania | 10 days 10-day written notice to quit for unpaid rent. | 15 days' notice for a lease breach if the lease is for one year or less (or no set term); 30 days if the lease is longer than one year. | 15 days' written notice from the landlord to end a month-to-month (indeterminate) tenancy. | The magisterial district judge sets a hearing 7 to 10 days after the summons is issued. |
| Rhode Island | 5 days When rent is 15 days late, the landlord must mail a 5-day demand notice. | Written notice giving you 20 days from mailing to fix the problem (cure); the lease ends on a date at least 21 days after mailing if you don't. | At least 30 days' written notice by landlord or tenant. | Nonpayment cases: you may file your answer before or at the hearing date on the summons; if you don't answer or appear, you lose by default. |
| South Carolina | 5 days 5 days. | 14-day written notice to fix (cure) the problem; if you fix it in time, or start in good faith and finish within a reasonable time, the lease doesn't end. | At least 30 days' written notice by landlord or tenant. | The magistrate issues a 'Rule to Vacate or Show Cause.' You have 10 days after it is served to ask for a hearing; if you don't, you can be evicted without one. |
| South Dakota | 3 days An eviction case may be filed if rent is unpaid for 3 days after it is due. | No set statewide notice or cure period. | At least one month's notice before the end of the rental period by either side (SDCL 43-32-15). | 5 days from service of the eviction summons to appear and file an answer (or 30 days after publication, if served by publication, whichever is sooner). |
| Tennessee | 14 days In counties covered by the Act: a written notice giving you 14 days after you receive it to pay; if you don't, the lease ends. | Counties covered by the Act: lease breaks that can be fixed by paying money: 14 days to fix (7 days for a repeat within 6 months). | In counties covered by the Act: written notice at least 30 days before the rent due date for month-to-month; at least 10 days for week-to-week. | No deadline to file a written answer is set by statute; eviction cases in General Sessions Court are heard without formal written pleadings. |
| Texas | 3 days At least 3 days' written notice to vacate before the landlord can file, unless the lease sets a shorter or longer period (many leases say 1 day). | Same 3-day notice to vacate (or the period in the lease). | At least one month's notice by landlord or tenant, unless you both signed an agreement setting a different period. | The trial must be set 10 to 21 days after the landlord files, and not sooner than 4 days after you are served (postponed no more than 7 days unless both sides agree in writing). |
| Utah | 3 business days 3 business days' written notice to pay rent (and other amounts due) or move out. | 3 calendar days' written notice to comply with the lease or move out. | Landlord: notice served at least 15 calendar days before the end of the rental period. | 3 business days (weekends and court holidays don't count) after you are served with the eviction summons, unless the court allows more time. |
| Vermont | 14 days Written notice ending the tenancy at least 14 days after you receive it. | 30 days' notice for breaking a material lease term or your legal duties (no cure period is stated). | Landlord, no written lease, monthly rent: 60 days if you have lived there 2 years or less, 90 days if more than 2 years; weekly rent: 21 days. | Generally 21 days after the sheriff serves you, by filing a written answer with the court and sending a copy to the landlord. |
| Virginia | 14 days 14-day written notice to pay or the lease ends. | 30-day notice; if the breach can be fixed and you fix it within 21 days, the lease does not end. | Either side: 30 days before the next rent due date (unless the lease sets a different period); week-to-week: 7 days. | No written answer deadline. |
| Washington | 14 days 14-day written notice to pay rent or vacate, served as RCW 59.12.040 requires. | 10-day notice to comply or vacate for a breach of a material lease term or legal duty. | Tenant: at least 20 days' written notice before the end of the rental period. | You must respond in writing by the deadline written on the eviction summons, or you can lose by default. |
| West Virginia | No notice required No statewide pre-filing notice is required by the summary eviction statute. | No statewide cure notice. | Either side: notice for one full rental period before the end of a period (for month-to-month, one full month), unless the lease says otherwise. | The hearing is set 5 to 10 judicial days after the landlord files. |
| Wisconsin | 5 days Month-to-month: the landlord can give a 14-day notice ending the tenancy with no option to pay, or a 5-day notice to pay or move. | Same structure as nonpayment: a 5-day notice to fix the breach or move (required first for leases), or a 14-day notice with no cure for month-to-month tenancies or a repeat breach within 12 months. | Landlord or tenant: written notice at least 28 days before the next rent due date. | You will be served a small claims summons with a court date (return date). |
| Wyoming | 3 days A written notice to quit at least 3 days before the landlord files, left with you or at your home or business. | The same 3-day notice to quit applies to lease violations and breaking your duties under the Act. No cure period is required by statute. | No statute found. | No written answer is required. |
Got a notice? See the dates and where to get help.
Eviction timeline