# Behind on rent or got an eviction notice: what to do > An eviction notice is not an eviction. Read the deadline and amount, and in most states your landlord must win in court before you can be removed; lockouts are usually illegal. If you get court papers, respond and show up. Call 211 for rental assistance, get free legal aid, and put any payment plan in writing. - URL: https://explained.page/eviction-notice - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=eviction-notice ## Step by step 1. **Behind on rent, or got an eviction notice?** Take a breath. A notice is not the same as being evicted. You usually have time, and you have rights. 2. **Read the notice carefully.** Look for what kind of notice it is, the deadline and the amount. Some give only a few days to pay or fix a problem. 3. **Your landlord can’t just lock you out.** In most states, a landlord must win in court first. Changing the locks, removing your things or cutting off utilities to force you out is usually illegal. 4. **Never miss the court date.** If you get court papers, respond by the deadline and show up. If you don’t, you can lose automatically. 5. **Ask for rental help.** Call 211, or your city or county, about emergency rental assistance. Some programs pay the landlord directly. 6. **Get free legal help.** Legal aid groups and court self-help centers help tenants for free. Talk to them before you agree to anything or pay part of the rent. 7. **Talk to your landlord, in writing.** Many landlords would rather get paid than go to court. Offer a plan, and keep a copy of every message. 8. **Only an officer can remove you.** After a court order, a sheriff or marshal carries it out, usually after giving notice. Until then, you have the right to stay. 9. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Read the notice and its deadline - Don’t move out just because of a notice - Respond to court papers and go to court - Call 211 for rental help - Get free legal aid - Put payment plans in writing ## A notice is not an eviction Most evictions start with a written notice, like “pay or quit.” It gives a deadline, sometimes only a few days. Read it carefully. ## Your landlord needs a court order In most states, a landlord must file in court and win before you can be removed. Changing the locks, removing your things or shutting off utilities to force you out is usually illegal. ## If you get court papers Respond by the deadline and go to every hearing. If you don’t, the landlord can win automatically. ## Get help - Call 211 or your city or county about emergency rental assistance. - Legal aid groups and court self-help centers help tenants for free. - Talk to them before agreeing to anything or paying part of the rent, because in some states that can affect your case. ## After a judgment A sheriff or marshal carries out the order, usually after giving notice. Ask the court about time to move or to pay what’s owed. ## Common questions ### How long does an eviction take? It depends on your state and the court’s schedule: from a few weeks to a few months. Responding on time gives you the most options. Source page: https://explained.page/eviction-notice/questions/how-long-does-an-eviction-take ### Will an eviction show up on my record? Eviction court cases can show up on tenant screening reports. Settling early or getting a case dismissed or sealed, where allowed, can help. Source page: https://explained.page/eviction-notice/questions/will-an-eviction-show-up-on-my-record ### Can my landlord evict me without going to court? In most states, no. The landlord has to file an eviction case and win. Lockouts, removing your things or shutting off utilities to force you out are usually illegal. Source page: https://explained.page/eviction-notice/questions/can-my-landlord-evict-me-without-going-to-court ### How many days do I have after an eviction notice? It depends on the type of notice and your state. Some notices give 3 to 5 days to pay; others give 30 days or more. The deadline is printed on the notice. Source page: https://explained.page/eviction-notice/questions/how-many-days-do-i-have-after-an-eviction-notice ### What happens if I don’t go to my eviction court date? The landlord can usually win automatically (a default judgment), and an order to remove you may follow quickly. Always go, or contact the court before the date. Source page: https://explained.page/eviction-notice/questions/what-happens-if-i-dont-go-to-my-eviction-court-date ### Can I get help paying back rent? Many cities, counties and charities offer emergency rental assistance. Call 211 to find programs near you. Source page: https://explained.page/eviction-notice/questions/can-i-get-help-paying-back-rent ### Should I pay part of the rent after getting a notice? Ask legal aid first. In some states, a landlord accepting partial rent can change the case, and in others it doesn’t. Always get a receipt. Source page: https://explained.page/eviction-notice/questions/should-i-pay-part-of-the-rent-after-getting-a-notice ### Can an eviction be removed from my record? Some states allow eviction records to be sealed, especially if the case was dismissed or settled. Ask legal aid or the court clerk. Source page: https://explained.page/eviction-notice/questions/can-an-eviction-be-removed-from-my-record ## Official sources - [HUD: help for renters](https://www.hud.gov/) - [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: housing help](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/) - [211: local help near you](https://www.211.org/) - [Legal Services Corporation: free legal aid](https://www.lsc.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your county] emergency rental assistance" - "[your county] tenant legal aid" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.