An eviction notice to quit is a legal paper that a landlord can serve when a tenant needs to be removed from the rental premises. This notice is served prior to any unlawful detainer or eviction lawsuit. The time specifications of the letter and its form may be different from state to state by they have similar features.

The notice to quit is generally a one page document that describes the dispute and the purpose of the notice. It is signed by a legal representative or the landlord. It informs the tenant that he or she must leave the rental unit by a certain date. It should be delivered in a proscribed legal manner to the tenant.

This notice for the tenant to vacate is not an official legal document. The tenant can toss it in the trash and ignore if and nothing will happen. However, if there is no response, the landlord can begin the legal process of eviction by filing a lawsuit with the court.

There are a host of reasons for wanting a tenant to vacate the premises. Failure to pay rent in a timely manner is the most common. Other reasons that will cause a landlord to use an eviction notice to quit is unauthorized pets, excessive loud noise, and additional people living in the rental.

Even after the notice is served on the tenant, a lawsuit can be avoided. If the landlord and tenant can find a mutually agreeable solution to their dispute, the eviction process can be prevented from starting.

Eviction notices to quit or vacate may have a variety of time limits. Three day, thirty day, and sixty day notices are common. If the landlord just wants to terminate the lease, the longer period notices are used. If the tenant has failed in paying the rent, used it for illicit purposes, or done damage to the property, then the three day notice is usually used.

If you have tried to solve your problems with a tenant but to no avail, then you should use an eviction notice to quit. This is the first step in the eviction procedure. If this notice fails to get results, the eviction lawsuit should be started.