Eviction & Housing
Got a notice? You still have time.
An eviction notice is the start of a process, not the end. Most evictions take weeks. Here's how to use that time to keep your home — or, if you can't, leave on your own terms.
What an eviction notice actually means
A notice is a warning. It is not the same thing as a court order to leave. In every state, the landlord has to file in court and a judge has to rule before you can be physically removed. That process takes time — usually two to six weeks, sometimes longer. That window is where you have power.
Today
Read the notice. Note the date. Don't ignore it. Call your landlord and ask one question: 'What would it take to keep me in this unit?'
This week
Apply for emergency rental assistance. Call 211 and ask for legal aid. Save every text and email.
Three options that almost always exist
1. Pay-and-stay. In most states, if you pay the back rent (sometimes plus court fees) before the eviction is finalized, you keep the unit. Ask your landlord in writing for the exact amount and deadline.
2. Payment plan. Many landlords would rather have you pay over three months than evict you and have an empty unit for two. Ask. Get the agreement in writing.
3. Move-out agreement. If staying isn't going to work, ask for a "cash for keys" or move-out agreement that closes the eviction without it going on your record. This protects your ability to rent somewhere else.
Where to get help
Read this next
→ What to do the day you get an eviction notice