Landlords generally must give written notice for rent-related actions, lease violations, entry to the unit, renewals, and lease termination — but the exact timing, wording, and delivery method are set by each state (and sometimes city), and getting them wrong can invalidate the action. This is a plain-language overview of the common notice types, not legal advice — always confirm your state and local rules.
| Notice | Timing | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Rent reminder | Before due date | A courtesy reminder that rent is coming due (not a legal demand). |
| Late-rent / pay-or-quit | Set by state | Demands overdue rent within a legally defined window before further action. |
| Lease violation (cure-or-quit) | Set by state | Notifies the tenant of a lease breach and the time allowed to fix it. |
| Notice to enter | Set by state | Advance written notice before entering for non-emergency repairs or showings. |
| Rent increase | Set by state | Advance notice of a rent change, with minimums that vary by jurisdiction. |
| Lease renewal offer | Before lease end | Offers to extend the tenancy, often well before the current term ends. |
| Non-renewal / termination | Set by state | Ends the tenancy at lease end; timing and grounds are strictly regulated. |
Notices are legal instruments. A late notice sent a day early, a pay-or-quit with the wrong cure period, or a termination served the wrong way can be thrown out — and in an eviction, a defective notice can send you back to the start. That's why the safest practice is to use the correct state-specific template for each notice type, serve it the way your state requires, and keep dated proof that it was sent.
Usually, yes — late-rent, pay-or-quit, lease-violation, entry, rent-increase, and termination notices are generally required in writing, with delivery rules that vary by state. Confirm your local requirement; this isn't legal advice.
Most states require advance written notice before non-emergency entry, but the exact amount is set by state and sometimes local law. Check your state statute.
An improperly served or worded notice can be invalid and can delay or defeat an action like an eviction. Use the correct state template and document delivery.
Yes — routine notices go out automatically from state-specific templates and are logged. Tenancy-ending notices are held for owner approval.
KAYA automates routine notices from state-specific templates and keeps the compliance trail — while leaving the tenancy-ending ones for you to approve.