How much notice does a landlord have to give before eviction?

It depends on the state and the reason. For non-payment of rent the notice is short — 3 days in California, Texas, and Florida; 5 days in Illinois; 14 days in New York. Ending a month-to-month tenancy requires more notice, often 30–90 days depending on how long you've lived there.

What is a 'just cause' eviction?

A just-cause rule means a landlord needs a specific, legally allowed reason to end a tenancy (not simply 'no reason'). California requires just cause for tenants of 12+ months under AB 1482. New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois have no statewide just-cause requirement, though some cities (like parts of New York and Chicago) add protections.

Is an eviction notice the same as an eviction?

No. A notice is only the first step. If you don't move or fix the problem, the landlord must file a court case and win before you can be removed — and only a sheriff or marshal can carry out an eviction. A landlord can never lock you out or remove your belongings on their own.

Can I stop an eviction by paying the rent?

Often, yes, during the notice window. A 'pay or quit' notice gives you a set number of days to pay and stay. The right to cure can be limited (some states cap how often you can use it), so pay or respond promptly and keep proof.

How much notice does a landlord have to give before eviction?

It depends on the state and the reason. For non-payment of rent the notice is short — 3 days in California, Texas, and Florida; 5 days in Illinois; 14 days in New York. Ending a month-to-month tenancy requires more notice, often 30–90 days depending on how long you've lived there.

What is a 'just cause' eviction?

A just-cause rule means a landlord needs a specific, legally allowed reason to end a tenancy (not simply 'no reason'). California requires just cause for tenants of 12+ months under AB 1482. New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois have no statewide just-cause requirement, though some cities (like parts of New York and Chicago) add protections.

Is an eviction notice the same as an eviction?

No. A notice is only the first step. If you don't move or fix the problem, the landlord must file a court case and win before you can be removed — and only a sheriff or marshal can carry out an eviction. A landlord can never lock you out or remove your belongings on their own.

Can I stop an eviction by paying the rent?

Often, yes, during the notice window. A 'pay or quit' notice gives you a set number of days to pay and stay. The right to cure can be limited (some states cap how often you can use it), so pay or respond promptly and keep proof.

Eviction Notice Periods by State

How much warning does a landlord have to give before eviction? It depends on the state and the reason — from 3 days for non-payment to 90 days to end a long tenancy. Here are California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois in one table.

By the LeasePlain Editorial Team · Checked against state eviction statutes per our editorial standards·Last reviewed October 2026

State	Non-payment notice	End month-to-month	Just cause?
California	3 days (pay or quit)	30 days (<1 yr) / 60 days (≥1 yr)	Yes (AB 1482, after 12 mo.)
New York	14 days	30 / 60 / 90 days by tenancy length	Statewide: no (some local good-cause)
Texas	3 days to vacate	30 days (month-to-month)	No
Florida	3 days (excl. weekends/holidays)	30 days (month-to-month)	No
Illinois	5 days	30 days (month-to-month)	Statewide: no (Chicago adds protections)
Washington	14 days (pay or vacate)	Just cause — no simple non-renewal	Yes (RCW 59.18.650)
Georgia	Demand for possession (no fixed days)	60 days (landlord) / 30 (tenant)	No
Pennsylvania	10 days (often waived by lease)	15 days (≤1 yr) / 30 days (>1 yr)	No

Notes by state

California: Covered tenants of 12+ months can only be removed for 'just cause'; no-fault reasons require relocation assistance. 3-day notice excludes weekends/holidays (CCP § 1161).
New York: HSTPA set termination notice at 30 days (<1 yr), 60 days (1–2 yr), and 90 days (2+ yr). Non-payment requires a 14-day demand (RPAPL § 711).
Texas: A written notice to vacate (often 3 days unless the lease says otherwise) precedes a forcible-detainer suit. No just-cause requirement (Tex. Prop. Code § 24.005).
Florida: A 2023 law raised month-to-month termination notice from 15 to 30 days. Non-payment is a 3-day notice (Fla. Stat. § 83.56).
Illinois: 5-day notice for non-payment, 10-day for a lease violation, then a court case under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act. Chicago's RLTO adds cure rights.
Washington: Non-payment uses a 14-day pay-or-vacate notice, and just cause is required to end most tenancies — a landlord can't end a periodic tenancy just because a term lapsed.
Georgia: Eviction is a court 'dispossessory' action; Georgia sets no fixed statutory waiting period for non-payment before filing.
Pennsylvania: A 10-day non-payment notice is standard, but many leases waive it and courts enforce the waiver. Only a court can order the eviction.

The big picture

Two numbers matter: the non-payment notice (short — days) and the termination noticeto end a month-to-month tenancy (longer — often 30+ days, scaling with how long you've lived there). The bigger divide is just cause: California requires a legally valid reason to remove a long-term tenant; most states don't. Everywhere, a notice is not an eviction — only a court can order one.

Last reviewed: October 2026. Eviction rules change — confirm with the cited statute or your state court/housing agency before relying on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related state comparisons

General information, not legal advice. Eviction rules vary by state, city, and lease. Confirm with the cited statute or your state court/housing agency.