Your place · When something goes wrong
An eviction notice on your door
A notice starts a process. It isn't the end. Read it today, find the deadline, get free legal help, and never skip a court date. Only a court can evict you, so a landlord can't change your locks or shut off your utilities.
You'll need
- The notice or court papers, and the envelope they came in
- Your lease and rent receipts
- Photos and messages about repairs, if that's part of it
- A calendar
What to know
- Read it today and find the type and the deadline. Is it a notice to pay or move, a notice to fix a lease problem, a notice ending your tenancy, or court papers? In California, a three-day notice counts only court days, so weekends and court holidays don't count. Source: California DRE2
- Check what it demands. In California, a notice to pay rent isn't legally effective if it asks for more than the rent actually owed, or adds late fees, utilities or interest. Source: California DRE2
- If it's about rent and you can pay, pay within the deadline, in a way you can prove, and keep the receipt. If you can't, use the steps in Can’t pay rent on time and call 211 for rent help. Source: CFPB4
- If you're served with court papers, answer by the deadline. In most California eviction cases, you have only 10 court days to file a written response. Source: California DRE2 Missing it can mean losing without a hearing.
Watch out A landlord can't evict you on their own. In California, they can't lock you out, cut off water, gas or electricity, remove doors or windows, or take your belongings to force you out. They have to go through court. Source: California DRE2 If it happens, call the police non-emergency line and legal aid. Rules here vary by state, and some cities add their own. The examples come from the official tenant guides for California, New York and Texas. Find yours in the list of state guides below, or call legal aid.
What a New York nonpayment case needs
Before a New York landlord can bring a nonpayment case, they must give you a written rent demand with at least 14 days to pay. Source: NY AG3
Tenant guides for all 50 states and DC
Your state's rules decide deposits, notice and repairs. Most of these come from a state attorney general, housing agency, court or legislature. Where we couldn't find one, the row says who publishes the closest guide we found. Each link was opened and checked on October 3, 2026. Cities can add their own rules, so check your city too.
| State | Guide | Who publishes it |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Tenants' Handbook (2024 update) | Legal Services Alabama (nonprofit legal aid) |
| Alaska | The Alaska Landlord & Tenant Act: what it means to you | Alaska Department of Law |
| Arizona | Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act | Arizona Department of Housing |
| Arkansas | Landlord and tenant rights | Arkansas Attorney General |
| California | California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities | California Department of Real Estate |
| Colorado | Legal and rent assistance resources for tenants | Colorado Division of Housing |
| Connecticut | Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Connecticut | Connecticut Judicial Branch |
| Delaware | Landlord Tenant Code (and summary) | Delaware Department of Justice |
| District of Columbia | Tenant Bill of Rights | DC Office of the Tenant Advocate |
| Florida | Landlord/tenant law in Florida | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services |
| Georgia | Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook | Georgia Department of Community Affairs |
| Hawaii | Landlord Tenant Information Center | Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection (DCCA) |
| Idaho | Landlord and Tenant Guidelines (PDF) | Idaho Attorney General |
| Illinois | Landlord and Tenant Rights Laws (PDF) | Illinois Attorney General |
| Indiana | Renter's rights | Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority |
| Iowa | Landlord-tenant and rental property FAQ | Iowa Judicial Branch |
| Kansas | Kansas Self-Help (courts) | Kansas Judicial Branch |
| Kentucky | Rental housing | Kentucky Attorney General |
| Louisiana | Moving In, Moving Out, and Everything in Between (PDF) | Louisiana Attorney General |
| Maine | Tenant rights | Maine Attorney General |
| Maryland | Tenant and Landlord Affairs (Tenants' Bill of Rights) | Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development |
| Massachusetts | The Attorney General's Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights | Massachusetts Attorney General |
| Michigan | Tenants and Landlords: A Practical Guide (PDF) | Michigan Legislature |
| Minnesota | Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities | Minnesota Attorney General |
| Mississippi | Consumer Guide: The Landlord-Tenant Relationship (PDF) | Mississippi Attorney General |
| Missouri | Landlord-tenant law | Missouri Attorney General |
| Montana | Tenants and landlords | Montana Department of Justice |
| Nebraska | Renter/landlord self-help | Nebraska Judicial Branch |
| Nevada | Tenant's Rights resources (PDF) | Nevada Attorney General |
| New Hampshire | Landlord-Tenant Information Sheet | New Hampshire Judicial Branch |
| New Jersey | Landlord-tenant information (Truth in Renting) | New Jersey Department of Community Affairs |
| New Mexico | Landlord-tenant self-representation | New Mexico Courts |
| New York | Residential Tenants' Rights Guide | New York Attorney General |
| North Carolina | Renting a home | North Carolina Department of Justice |
| North Dakota | Tenant rights | North Dakota Attorney General |
| Ohio | Law Facts: Tenant and landlord rights and obligations | Ohio State Bar Association (not a government agency) |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (PDF) | Oklahoma Real Estate Commission |
| Oregon | Landlord-Tenant Rights and Responsibilities in Oregon (PDF) | Oregon Legislative Policy and Research Office |
| Pennsylvania | Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights (PDF) | Pennsylvania Attorney General |
| Rhode Island | Landlord Tenant Handbook | Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing |
| South Carolina | Housing and mortgages FAQ | South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs |
| South Dakota | Landlord and tenant fast facts | South Dakota Attorney General (Consumer Protection) |
| Tennessee | Ready to Rent (PDF) | Tennessee Attorney General |
| Texas | Renter's rights | Texas Attorney General |
| Utah | Housing self-help | Utah State Courts |
| Vermont | Landlord tenant education materials | Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development |
| Virginia | Tenant and landlord resources | Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development |
| Washington | Landlord-tenant | Washington Attorney General |
| West Virginia | Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division | West Virginia Attorney General (no state tenant guide found; complaints only) |
| Wisconsin | Landlord/Tenant Guide | Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection |
| Wyoming | Renter's rights and duties (PDF) | Wyoming Judicial Branch |
Not a government source: Alabama (Legal Services Alabama, a nonprofit legal aid group) and Ohio (the Ohio State Bar Association). West Virginia: we didn't find a state tenant guide; the attorney general's consumer division takes complaints.
Calling legal aid: what to say
Hi, I got [a notice / court papers] from my landlord on [date]. It says [what it says, like pay $900 in 3 days or leave]. My deadline is [date]. I rent at [address]. Can you help me, or tell me who can?
See it done
Video by The Legal Aid Society Nonprofit
Know Your Rights - What Tenants Need To Know About Being Evicted
2013 · Checked October 3, 2026
Heads up: it's from 2013 and about New York City housing court. The big point is the same everywhere: never ignore court papers, and show up on time.
Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.
If it doesn't work
- In the military? Your Legal Assistance Office can help. A court must pause an eviction for up to 90 days if you ask and your service affects your ability to pay. Source: CFPB1
- Got a notice right after you asked for repairs? That may be retaliation, which many states ban. Tell legal aid. See Your rights as a tenant.
- Already have a court date and no lawyer? Many courts have a self-help center. Ask the clerk.
Good to know
The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.
Take it with you
Printable cardDownload card (PDF)Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau What to do if you're facing eviction
- California Department of Real Estate California Tenants guide: When can a landlord terminate a tenancy? The eviction process
- New York State Attorney General Residential Tenants' Rights Guide
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Get help paying rent and bills
- Legal Services Corporation Get legal help
Lesson H2.2 · Last checked October 3, 2026 against the sources listed.
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