State Laws on Unconditional Quit Terminations

State rules on when a landlord can order a tenant to move out on short notice.

By Janet Portman , Attorney Santa Clara University School of Law
Updated by Ann O’Connell , Attorney UC Berkeley School of Law

Updated 4/11/2024

Nolo was born in 1971 as a publisher of self-help legal books. Guided by the motto “law for all,” our attorney authors and editors have been explaining the law to everyday people ever since. Learn more about our history and our editorial standards.

Each article that we publish has been written or reviewed by one of our editors, who together have over 100 years of experience practicing law. We strive to keep our information current as laws change. Learn more about our editorial standards.

An unconditional termination notice orders the tenant to move out within a short period of time or (in some cases) immediately. All states allow landlords to use unconditional quit notices when a tenant has repeatedly violated a lease clause, has substantially damaged the rental unit, is dealing drugs, or for other specified reasons. Here are state rules on when a landlord can use an unconditional quit termination notice and how much time the landlord must give the tenant to vacate the rental unit before the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit. As noted, the amount of time might differ depending on the circumstances. For additional details, see your state statute. (The citation is provided here, and you can visit the Library of Congress's legal research site for links to state statutes). The following termination rules might be tempered in domestic violence situations, depending on state law.

Alabama

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Intentional misrepresentation of a material fact in a rental application or rental agreement; possession or use of illegal drugs in the rental
or common areas; illegal use, possession, discharge of a firearm on the premises (some exceptions); criminal assault of a tenant or guest on the premises (some exceptions); any breach for substantially the same acts or omissions for which a notice to terminate has previously been provided for by the landlord and cured by the tenant within the past six months. Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 7 business days Statute: Ala. Code § 35-9A-421 Back to top

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement when the violation is not remediable; using (or allowing another person to use) the premises in a way constituting a common nuisance, or permitting/conducting specified criminal offenses; rent unpaid within 5 days of rent due date. If rent is unpaid within 10 days of due date, tenant may be charged with a misdemeanor (fine only).

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 5 days

Statute: Ark. Code §§ 18-16-101, 18-17-701

California

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Assigning or subletting without permission, committing waste or a nuisance, illegal activity on the premises.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 3 days

Statute: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(4)

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Court determination that an illegal act was performed within the rental unit.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 30 days

Statute: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(c)

Florida

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Intentional destruction of the rental property or other tenants' property or unreasonable disturbances; for destruction, damage, or misuse of the landlord's or other tenants' property by intentional act or a subsequent or continued unreasonable disturbance (after written warning within previous 12 months); a subsequent or continuing noncompliance within 12 months of a written warning by the landlord of a similar violation.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 7 days

Statute: Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2)(a)

Georgia

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Nonpayment of rent more than once within 12 months; holding over.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: Immediately

Statute: (Ga. Code §§ 44-7-50, 44-7-52.)

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: When a tenant with a lease holds over or when a tenant without a lease commits waste.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: Immediately

Statute: Ind. Code § 32-31-1-8

Iowa

Kansas

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Second similar material violation of the lease after first violation was corrected.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 30 days

Statute: Kan. Stat. § 58-2564(a)

Kentucky

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Repeating the same material violation of the lease within 6 months of being given a first cure or quit notice.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 14 days

Statute: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.660(1)

Louisiana

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Failure to pay rent, using dwelling for purpose other than the intended purpose (lease may specify shorter or longer notice, or eliminate requirement of notice) or upon termination of the lease for any reason.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 5 days

Statute: La. Civ. Code art. 2686; La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701

Maine

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Holdover tenants if notice is served within 7 days of the end of the original term; substantial and unrepaired damage to the premises; causing, permitting, or maintaining a nuisance; tenant is a perpetrator of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking and the victim is also a tenant; tenant or tenant's guest is a perpetrator of violence, a threat of violence, or sexual assault against certain others; the person occupying the premises is not an authorized occupant of the premises. Landlord can also terminate when a tenant changes the lock and refuses to provide landlord with a duplicate key.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 7 days

Statute: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6001, 6002, 6025

Maryland

Massachusetts

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Tenant at will receiving second notice to pay rent or quit within 12 months.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 14 days

Statute: Mass. Laws ch. 186, § 12

Michigan

Minnesota

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: When tenant fails to pay rent or other monetary obligation when due.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 14 days for termination based on unpaid rent or other monetary obligation. For other terminations, the notice period must be at least as long as the interval between when rent is due or three months, whichever is less.

Statute: Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.135, 504B.321(1a)

Mississippi

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Repeating the same act—which constituted a lease violation and for which notice was given—within 6 months; nonremediable violation of lease or obligations imposed by statute.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 14 days

Statute: Miss. Code § 89-8-13

Missouri

When an unconditional quit notice can be used: Using the premises for gambling, prostitution, or possession, sale, or distribution of controlled substances; assigning or subletting without consent; seriously damaging the premises or violating the lease.

Time to move out before landlord can file for eviction: 10 days

Statute: Mo. Stat. §§ 441.020, 441.030, 441.040

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire