Notice to quit
A written notice telling a tenant to leave by a certain date. Required as the first step of most evictions. Rules on delivery and content vary widely by state.
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Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
A notice to quit tells a tenant to leave by a date, and it has to be right in form and delivery or the eviction that follows fails. For a seller emptying a rental, it is the document the timeline hangs on.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
You serve a sixty-day notice to quit on a month-to-month tenant, in writing, by the method the state requires, to sell the home empty.
| The notice | What it starts |
|---|---|
| Served correctly | The clock, and possession on the date if the tenant leaves |
| Served by a method the state does not allow | Nothing; it has to be served again |
| Ignored by the tenant | A court filing after the date passes |
The notice to quit is the tenancy's end date, in writing, delivered the state's way.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That a notice to quit is an eviction. It is the step before one; only a court can order the tenant out.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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