30 Day Eviction Notice — Free Notice to End Tenancy Template
A 30 day eviction notice is most often used to end a month-to-month tenancy, giving the tenant a full rental period to find a new home and move out. Thirty days is common, but it is not universal: some states and cities require longer notice, especially for long-term tenants, and some require a valid reason. The notice period depends on your state and your lease, and only a court can remove a tenant who stays past the date.
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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 end tenancy and vacate — [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 end tenancy and vacate.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within 30 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 November 14, 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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When a 30 day notice fits
This notice is usually for ending a periodic tenancy, such as month-to-month, rather than for unpaid rent or a lease violation. A fixed-term lease generally runs until its end date, and you normally can't use a 30 day notice to cut it short unless the lease or your state allows it.
Before you serve, look up your state's month-to-month notice period on our state pages. Some states require 60 or 90 days once a tenant has lived there a year or more, some require notice to end on the last day of a rental period, and a growing number of cities only allow a tenancy to end for specific reasons.
Pick a clear end date
Count forward from the day the tenant will actually receive the notice, not the day you write it. Many landlords set the end date on the last day of the rental month so there is no confusion about prorated rent. If the notice is mailed, add the extra days your state requires for mail service.
Say what you expect on the last day: belongings removed, the unit left clean, and keys returned. Mention how you will handle the walk-through and the security deposit so the tenant knows what comes next.
If the tenant hasn't moved out by the date
A notice that ends a tenancy is not an eviction order. If the tenant is still there after the date, the next step is filing an eviction case with your local court. Only a court can remove a tenant, and you should not change the locks, remove property or cut utilities. Keep collecting rent questions in writing, and check whether accepting rent after the end date affects your notice in your state.
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 30 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 end tenancy and vacate — 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 end tenancy and vacate.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Your month-to-month tenancy will end because the owner plans to sell the property. The tenancy will end on November 30, 2026, at the end of the rental period.
Within 30 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must move out of the property, remove your belongings and return all keys. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on November 4, 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
Do I need a reason to give a 30 day notice?
In many states a landlord can end a month-to-month tenancy without stating a reason, but some states and many cities require a valid cause, and notices that are retaliatory or discriminatory are prohibited everywhere. Check your state and local rules before relying on a no-reason notice.
Is 30 days always enough?
No. Some states require longer notice for tenants who have lived in the unit for a year or more, and some cities set their own minimums. Your lease can also require more. See your state's rules on our state pages and use the longest period that applies.
Can I use a 30 day notice for unpaid rent?
You can, but a pay or quit notice is usually the tool for unpaid rent because it gives the tenant a chance to pay. A 30 day notice to end the tenancy is generally separate from any claim for unpaid rent, which you can still pursue.
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.