By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Common Lease Violations
Tenants legally commit to the lease agreement terms when signing. If tenants violate these terms, they may receive a notice from the landlord or face eviction. Some common violations include:
- Unauthorized pets (e.g., dogs, cats)
- Property damage (due to recklessness, unauthorized renovations, or negligence)
- Noise disturbances (excessive noise complaints from neighbors)
- Long-term guests (exceeding the permitted stay outlined in the lease)
- Unauthorized subletting (renting out the unit without approval)
- Failure to maintain the property (including hygiene and safety violations)
- Homeowners Association (HOA) violations
A separate Illegal Activity Notice to Quit should be used for illegal activity violations.
Step-By-Step Guide for Cure or Quit Eviction Notice (5 steps)
A Cure or Quit Eviction Notice follows a process similar to unpaid rent but requires proof of the exact violation.
Step 1 – Collect Proof
The landlord must provide evidence of the violation, which can include:
- Photos or videos of the violation
- Witness statements (from neighbors or other tenants)
- Official complaints or notices
For violations inside a residence, the landlord must give proper notice before entering to document the issue.
Step 2 – Complete the Notice Template
The Cure or Quit Notice must include:
- Tenant’s name
- Address and unit number
- Specific violation(s)
- Actions required to cure the issue (if curable)
- Deadline for compliance
- Landlord’s signature
Step 3 – Deliver the Notice
The notice delivery method depends on state laws but commonly includes:
- Certified mail (recommended USPS with return receipt)
- Personal delivery to the tenant
- Posting the notice on the tenant’s door
It is important to note that the eviction may be dismissed in court if a landlord fails to follow the legal delivery requirements.
Step 4 – Wait for Compliance “Cure”
The tenant must fix the violation within the timeframe if the violation is curable. Some examples of remedial actions include:
- Removing an unauthorized pet
- Repairing property damage
- Quitting disruptive behavior
- Removing an unauthorized guest
If the issue is incurable, the tenant must vacate the property within the specified time. After receiving the return receipt, contacting the tenant to confirm their plans for fixing the issue to verify compliance is recommended. Scheduling an inspection is also recommended.
Step 5 – Conduct an Inspection
Once the notice period ends, the landlord should inspect the unit to verify compliance. A 48-hour notice is recommended before entering. If the tenant has not mended the violation, they must vacate immediately.
Key Takeaways
- A Cure or Quit Notice allows tenants to fix a lease violation before eviction.
- Landlords must gather proof, complete the correct form, and deliver it legally.
- If the violation is not corrected, eviction proceedings can begin after the notice period.
- The process varies by state, so landlords should check local regulations.
The Eviction Process
If the tenant fails to fix the violation or vacate, the next step is filing an eviction lawsuit. Eviction is a legal process where a landlord removes a tenant from a rental property due to a lease violation.
Requirements for an Eviction Due to Lease Violations
Tenants cannot be evicted for just any reason. Legitimate grounds for eviction must exist, such as:
- Financial damages to the landlord (property damage or unpaid rent)
- Disruption to other tenants (repeated noise complaints or unsafe behavior)
The landlord may face legal consequences if they attempt an eviction without valid reasoning.
State Laws
State | Notice Period for Non-Compliance | Statute |
Alabama | 7 days | § 35-9A-421) |
Alaska | 10 days | § 34.03.220(a)(2) |
Arizona | 10 days | § 33-1368(A) |
Arkansas | 14 days | § 18-60-304 |
California | 3 days | § 1161(3) |
Colorado | 10 days | § 13-40-104 |
Connecticut | 15 days | § 47a-15(a) |
Delaware | 7 days | § 5513 |
Florida | 7 days | § 83.56(2) |
Georgia | N/A | No statute |
Hawaii | 10 days | § 521-72 |
Idaho | 3 days | § 6-303(3) |
Illinois | 3 days | § 735 ILCS 5/9-210 |
Indiana | N/A | No statute |
Iowa | 7 days | § 562A.27(1) |
Kansas | *14 days | *§ 58-2564 |
Kentucky | 15 days | § 383.660(1) |
Louisiana | 5 days | § 4701 |
Maine | 7 days | § 6002 & § 6025 |
Maryland | 30 days | § 402.1(a)(1) |
Massachusetts | N/A | No statute |
Michigan | 7 days | § 600.5714 |
Minnesota | N/A | No statute |
Mississippi | 30 days | § 89-8-13 |
Missouri | 10 days | § 441.040 |
Montana | 14 days | § 70-24-422 |
Nebraska | *14 days | § 76-1431(1)) |
Nevada | *3 days | *§ 40.2516 |
New Hampshire | 30 days | § 540:3(II) |
New Jersey | 30 days | § 2A:18-61.2 |
New Mexico | 7 days | § 47-8-33A |
New York | 10 days | § 753(4) |
North Carolina | Immediate | § 42-26 |
North Dakota | 3 days | § 47-32-02 |
Ohio | 3 days | § 1923.04 |
Oklahoma | 15 days | § 132(B) |
Oregon | 14/10 days | § 90.392 |
Pennsylvania | N/A | No statute |
Rhode Island | 20 days | § 34-18-36 |
South Carolina | 14 days | § 27-40-710(a) |
South Dakota | Before the end of the rental contract | § 43-32-18 |
Tennessee | 30 days | § 66-7-109 |
Texas | N/A | No statute |
Utah | 3 days | § 78B-6-802 |
Vermont | 30 days | § 4467 |
Virginia | *21 days | *§ 55.1-1245(A) |
Washington | 10 days | § 59.12.030(4) |
Washington D.C. | 30 days | § 42–3505.01(b) |
West Virginia | Immediate | § 55-3A-1 |
Wisconsin | Dependent on term | § 704.17 |
Wyoming | 3 days | § 1-21-1003 |
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