10 Day Eviction Notice — Free Pay Rent or Quit Template
A 10 day eviction notice usually gives a tenant ten days to pay overdue rent or move out, although some states use ten days for lease violations too. Ten days is required in some places and not in others, and your lease may set a longer period. The notice period depends on your state and your lease, and only a court can remove a tenant.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone for the tenant to reach you]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
and all other occupants of
[Rental property address]
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at [Rental property address]. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within 10 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must [What the tenant must do within that time]. If this notice is delivered to you on October 15, 2026, that period ends on October 25, 2026.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
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Check the period and the counting rules
Before entering ten days, look up your state's notice period for unpaid rent on our state pages. Some states count calendar days, others business days, and some add time when the notice is mailed. If your lease sets a longer period, use it. A notice that gives too little time is one of the most common reasons eviction cases are dismissed.
Note any local rules as well. Some cities require extra information in the notice, such as where tenants can find rental assistance.
Itemize what is owed
When more than one month is unpaid, list each month and amount separately and give the total. Subtract any partial payments. Keep late fees, utility charges and damages out of the notice unless you know your state allows them, and pursue those separately if needed.
Tell the tenant how to pay and who to contact if they want to discuss a payment plan. A tenant who knows exactly how to fix the problem often does.
If the deadline passes
If the tenant hasn't paid in full or moved out after ten days, the next step is to file an eviction case. The court will give the tenant a chance to respond, and only a court order carried out by a sheriff or similar officer can remove them. Keep proof of service and payment records organized for the hearing.
What to do, step by step
Check your state and local rules first
Look up the notice period, required wording and delivery method for your state, county and city. Many places set different periods for unpaid rent, lease violations and ending a tenancy, and some cities add their own just-cause rules.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Name every adult tenant on the lease, state the facts plainly and enter the exact number of days your rules require.
Serve it the way your state requires
States specify how a notice must be delivered — commonly hand delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, posting and mailing, or certified mail. A notice served the wrong way may have to be redone.
Record how and when you served it
Write down the date, time, method and who delivered it, and keep a copy of the notice. Courts often ask for this proof of service.
Wait out the full notice period
Don't change the locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities. If the tenant fixes the problem, accept it as your rules require; if not, the next step is filing an eviction case in court.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the notice?
An eviction notice is not an eviction. It is the written warning most states require before you can go to court. If the notice period ends and the tenant hasn't paid, fixed the violation or moved out, the next step is to file an eviction case — often called an unlawful detainer or summary possession case — with your local court.
Until a judge rules in your favor and a court officer such as a sheriff or marshal carries out the order, the tenant has the right to stay. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, cutting off utilities or otherwise forcing them out is a so-called self-help eviction, which is illegal in nearly every state and can expose you to damages.
Courts look closely at the notice itself. If the period was too short, the wording missed something your state requires or it was delivered the wrong way, the case can be dismissed and you may have to start over. Your local court's self-help center or a landlord association can tell you what your court expects.
Example 10 day eviction notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Greenway Rentals LLC
PO Box 2210, Lakeview, MN 55401 · (555) 201-4478
October 5, 2026
To: Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks
and all other occupants of
56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Dear Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks,
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Rent of $1,450 for September 2026 and $1,450 for October 2026, due on the first of each month, has not been paid. Total rent owed is $2,900.
The total amount of rent now due is $2,900.00.
Within 10 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must pay the full amount of rent owed or move out of the property. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on October 15, 2026.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Greenway Rentals LLC
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
Can I include two months of rent in one notice?
Generally yes, as long as each amount is actually overdue and you list them clearly. Some states limit how far back a pay or quit notice can reach, so check your state's rules if the unpaid rent goes back many months.
What if the tenant asks for a payment plan?
You can agree to one, but put the terms in writing, including amounts and dates, and be clear about what happens to the notice. In some states, accepting money under a plan affects whether you can still rely on the notice.
Does the tenant have to leave after ten days?
Not on their own schedule. If they stay, you must go to court. Only a court can order a tenant to leave, and the order is carried out by a court officer, not the landlord.
How much notice do I have to give a tenant?
It depends on your state, sometimes your city, the type of notice and the lease. Periods for unpaid rent can be as short as a few days or as long as a month, and notices ending a month-to-month tenancy are often 30 days or more. Check your state's landlord-tenant law and any local ordinance before serving.
Is an eviction notice the same as being evicted?
No. A notice only starts the process. If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord must file a case in court and win a judgment. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff, marshal or similar officer, can legally remove a tenant from the property.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.