Eviction Notice Response Checklist
If you get an eviction notice, read it carefully for the type of notice, the deadline and the amount claimed. Check whether it follows your state's rules, pay in full if the notice allows and get a receipt, or talk to the landlord in writing. If court papers arrive, file any required response and go to the hearing. A landlord cannot evict you without a court order.
A notice is not an eviction. You usually have time and options, but deadlines are short. Work through this list the day you get the notice.
Download the printable checklist (PDF): free, one or two pages, made to print and fill in by hand.
Read the notice
- ☐ What kind of notice is it (unpaid rent, lease violation, end of lease)?
- ☐ What is the deadline, and how are days counted?
- ☐ What amount is claimed, and is it correct?
- ☐ How was it delivered?
- ☐ Does it meet your state's notice requirements?
Respond
- ☐ If it is for rent and you can pay, pay in full before the deadline and get a receipt
- ☐ Communicate with the landlord in writing and keep copies
- ☐ Apply for local emergency rental assistance
- ☐ Gather your lease, rent receipts, bank records and repair requests
If court papers arrive
- ☐ Note the deadline to respond and the hearing date
- ☐ File a written answer if your court requires one
- ☐ Prepare defenses, such as improper notice, payment or retaliation
- ☐ Go to the hearing on time with your documents
- ☐ Contact legal aid or a tenant lawyer immediately
Know your rights
- ☐ Only a court can order an eviction
- ☐ Lockouts, removing belongings or shutting off utilities to force you out are generally illegal
- ☐ Evicting a tenant for complaining about conditions may be illegal retaliation
Tips
- Missing the court date usually means losing by default.
- Ask the court about mediation or payment agreements.
Official resources
This checklist is general information, not legal advice, and it is not a legal form. Rules and deadlines vary by state; a licensed attorney can tell you what applies to your situation. Find a lawyer near you.
Sources
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This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws differ by state and change over time; talk to a licensed attorney in your state about your situation.