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Eviction notice: pay rent or quit

An eviction notice is the written warning a landlord must give before filing a court case. For unpaid rent, the usual form is a notice to pay rent or quit: it states the amount owed, tells the tenant how to pay, and gives a deadline. If the tenant pays within the period, the case usually stops. If not, the landlord can file for possession.

The notice period is set by state law, not by the landlord's preference, and it is often counted in a specific way. This builder shows the period for your state, cites the statute, and lets you choose a longer period if your lease or local rule requires one. It also includes a certificate of service so the file shows how and when the notice was delivered.

Written by Nora Whitfield, editorial lead. State rules checked by Samuel Okafor, rules editor, on October 20, 2026.

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Filled sample, Texas

Eviction notice (pay or quit)

STATE OF TEXAS

This notice is given on October 6, 2026 by Ridgeway Property Group LLC, of PO Box 4412, Austin, TX 78765 (the landlord), to Ana P. Morales (the tenant), for the premises at 813 East 7th Street, Unit 4, Austin, TX 78702, in Travis County, State of Texas. The tenancy is governed by the lease dated November 1, 2025 and by the laws of the State of Texas.

1. Rent due

The rent for the period October 1 to October 31, 2026 was due on October 1, 2026. The monthly rent is $1,650.00. After applying all payments received, the amount now due is $1,650.00 (One thousand six hundred fifty dollars). This amount consists of rent and any lawful charges shown on the attached ledger. No amount for damages or for a disputed fee is included unless it is lawful rent under the lease.

2. Demand to pay or vacate

You are hereby notified that you must pay the amount due stated above, or vacate and surrender possession of the premises, within 3 days after you receive this notice. If you pay the full amount due within that period, this notice will be withdrawn and no court case will be filed on this notice.

3. How to pay

Payment must be made to Ridgeway Property Group LLC at PO Box 4412, Austin, TX 78765. Accepted methods: Money order, cashier's check or the online tenant portal. Ask for a receipt. If you mail a payment, it must be received by the deadline; the postmark date does not extend the deadline unless the lease or state law says it does.

4. If you do not pay or vacate

If you do not pay the full amount due or vacate within the period stated above, the landlord may file a lawsuit for possession in the court with jurisdiction over Travis County. The landlord may also ask the court for rent, court costs and any other relief the law allows. Filing a case does not change the amount you owe.

5. Partial payments

The landlord may accept a partial payment without waiving the right to proceed on this notice. Acceptance of a partial payment does not extend the deadline and does not cure the default.

6. Certificate of service

I served this notice on October 6, 2026 by personal delivery. I am at least 18 years old and I am not the tenant. A copy of this notice is attached to the landlord's file, together with any mailing receipt or photograph of the posted notice.

7. Governing law

This notice is given under the laws of the State of Texas. If a court finds that the notice period or the method of service does not meet the statute, the landlord may re-serve a corrected notice. Nothing in this notice waives a right the tenant has under the lease or under state or local law.

Texas notice: this notice is intended to meet Texas Property Code 24.005. It states the amount of rent owed and gives the tenant the choice to pay or vacate within the period stated above. Keep proof of the date and method of delivery.

Landlord or agent

Landlord or authorized agent

Signature

Printed name: Ridgeway Property Group LLC

Date

Signing requirements: Texas gives a tenant 3 days to pay the rent or vacate before a nonpayment case may be filed. A written lease may set a different period; the lease controls.

Source: Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005.

Generated from a PaperDeed template. PaperDeed is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Template review date: October 20, 2026.

Example answers, not advice. The builder replaces them with yours.

Full sample below

Use this form when

  • A tenant has not paid rent and the lease allows the landlord to demand payment or possession.
  • A landlord needs a written record of the amount owed and the deadline before filing.
  • A property manager is following a state or local notice requirement for nonpayment.
  • A landlord wants to give a longer notice than the legal minimum as a courtesy.

Have this ready

  • The lease, so you can confirm the rent, the due date and the notice address.
  • A rent ledger showing every charge and payment, and the exact amount owed today.
  • The tenant's full name or names as they appear on the lease.
  • The state and county, and the notice period the statute requires. Some states exclude weekends and holidays.
  • A plan for service that the statute allows, and a witness or a mailing receipt to prove it.

Build the eviction notice (pay or quit)

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Step 1 of 3

Parties and premises

Use the names on the lease. If more than one tenant signed, list them all in the same line or add them exactly as the lease does.

The notice period has a legal minimum. Choose the period your state statute requires, and keep proof of the date you served it.

Download this eviction notice (pay or quit)

PDF for printing and signing. DOCX so you can edit it in Word or Google Docs. This form is included for every state.

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What the form includes

Parties and premises

Landlord, tenant and the full address of the rented unit.

Amount owed

The rent due, the period it covers, any lawful late fee, and the total.

Pay or quit demand

A clear demand to pay the amount or vacate within the state's notice period.

Payment instructions

Who to pay, where, and which methods are accepted.

Consequences

A statement that the landlord may file for possession if the deadline passes.

Proof of service

A certificate of service with the date, method and signature of the person who delivered it.

After you sign

Serve it the way the statute allows

Personal delivery is the safest method in most states. Mailing, posting on the door or leaving it with another adult may be allowed, sometimes with an extra day for mailing. Follow the statute for your state, not a generic internet checklist.

Count the days correctly

Some states exclude weekends and holidays, some count calendar days, and some start the count the day after service. Put the deadline date on the notice in words, and keep a calendar showing how you counted.

Keep proof

Save a copy of the signed notice, a photo of the posted notice, the mailing receipt, and a written record of the date and time of delivery. A process server's affidavit is stronger than a note to yourself.

Do not self-help

Changing the locks, shutting off utilities or removing the tenant's belongings can expose a landlord to damages, even when rent is unpaid. The court process exists to avoid that. File the case and let the sheriff or marshal carry out an order.

Signing rules for this form

The builder shows the rule for every state and adds the right signature block. These state guides go deeper on the four biggest searches.

TXNo notary3-day noticeRules cited

Texas gives a tenant 3 days to pay the rent or vacate before a nonpayment case may be filed. A written lease may set a different period; the lease controls.

Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005 (opens the official source in a new tab)

Rules reviewed October 20, 2026. Every rule names its statute or state form, and the citation links to the official text where the state publishes it online.

Questions people ask

How many days does an eviction notice give?

It depends on the state and the reason. For nonpayment, the range is usually 3 to 14 days, and a few states allow longer. The builder shows the period for your state, cites the statute, and lets you choose a longer period if your lease requires one.

Can I email or text the notice?

Only if your state's statute or your lease allows electronic service, and you can prove delivery. Most states require personal delivery, posting, mailing or a combination. When in doubt, use the method the statute names and keep the receipt.

Does the notice have to state the exact amount?

In most states, yes. An incorrect amount can invalidate the notice and delay the case. Use a rent ledger and include only lawful charges. If you are unsure about a fee, leave it out and rely on the rent that is clearly due.

What if the tenant pays after the deadline?

The landlord may still accept the payment, but accepting rent after the notice can sometimes waive the right to proceed on that notice. Talk to a local attorney before accepting a partial or late payment once the deadline has passed.

Is this the same as a court eviction form?

No. A notice is a pre-court warning. The complaint or petition that starts the case is filed with the court and may have its own form. This template covers the notice stage only.

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Before you use this document

PaperDeed is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help templates and general information about signing rules. If you are unsure whether a document fits your situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

Every signing rule above names its statute or state form, and links to the official text where the state publishes it online. Rules updated October 20, 2026.

PaperDeed is a self-help service. Templates and state rules were reviewed on October 20, 2026. 5 background guides are available if you want the explanation behind the form.