Extra Rules for Some Termination Notices

If your landlord asks you to move because of a qualifying landlord reason, the notice must include:

1. The qualifying reason your landlord wants you to move. The only reasons allowed are: 
   • They sold the rental unit to someone who will make their home there; 
   • The landlord’s close relative (or the landlord) wants to move in;
   • The rental unit will be repaired or remodeled and you can’t safely live there while the work is happening; or
   • They plan to demolish the rental unit or change the rental unit to a non-residential property.
2. Some basic facts to support the reason your landlord wants you to move. For example if your landlord asks you to move because: 
   • They sold the rental unit—the notice should provide proof of the sale. 
   • They or their relative plan to move in—the notice should include a statement that the landlord or a specific person is moving in.
   • The rental unit will be demolished or needs major repairs—the notice should include information about their plans for repair or demolition, and statement that it is not safe for you to live there during repairs. 
3. A check for one month's rent, but only if your landlord has five or more rentals. 

If your landlord's notice doesn't follow these rules, it's not legal. This means you have a defense in an eviction case.

The notice must say:

1. The correct amount of rent you owe;
2. You must pay the late rent or move out within a certain number of days:
   • If your rent is more than five days late: Your landlord must give you at least 13 days to move out. 
   • If your rent is more than eight days late: Your landlord must give you at least 10 days to move out.
   • If you rent week-to-week and your rent is more than five days later: Your landlord must give you at  least 72 hours to move out.
3. You can stay if you pay rent by the deadline in the notice;
4. Where to get help paying your rent;
5. Where to get legal help; 
6. That if you don't follow the deadlines in the notice, you risk losing your housing; and
7. A copy of this notice with information on where to find this information in other languages. 

If your landlord's notice doesn't follow these rules, it's not legal. This means you have a defense in an eviction case.

This notice must:

1. Say how you violated your rental agreement;
2. Tell you if you can fix the problem to avoid having to move out; 
3. Give an example of how you can fix the problem; 
4. Give you 14 days (for most cases) to fix the problem; and 
5. Tell you that you have 30 days to move out if you do not fix the problem by the 14-day deadline. 
6. If the notice is for not paying rent, the notice must also say:
   1. Where to get help paying your rent;
   2. Where to get legal help; 
   3. That if you don't follow the deadlines in the notice, you risk losing your housing; and
   4. A copy of this notice with information on where to find this information in other languages. 

Exception: Some violations do not have a fix-it option. But if the violation is anything that you can fix by paying money or changing behavior, the landlord has to give you a chance to fix it. 

If your landlord's notice doesn't follow these rules, it's not legal. This means you have a defense in an eviction case.

Your landlord can give you this notice if your rental agreement says pets are not allowed. 

If this is your first pet violation notice: The notice must tell you that if you remove your pet within 10 days, you can stay. If your landlord's notice doesn't follow these rules, it's not legal. This means you have a defense in an eviction case.

If this is not your first pet violation notice: If you get another pet (or don't get rid of your original pet) within six months of the first pet notice, your landlord can give you another 10-day pet violation notice. This time you will have to move out within 10 days. You don't get another chance to fix the problem. 

Disability assistance animals are not pets. If you get a pet violation notice, but your animal is an assistance animal:

1. Tell your landlord that your animal is an assistance animal; 
2. Explain you need the animal because of your disability; and 
3. Ask for a reasonable accommodation.

If you do not do this, the landlord can evict you.

If you live in drug-and-alcohol-free housing, you can be asked to move out if you use drugs or alcohol. The termination notice must say: 

1. You have 24 hours to fix the problem or, if you don't, you must move out within 48 hours; and
2. How you can fix the problem. For example, it might say, “Do not use or have any drugs or alcohol.”

If your landlord's notice doesn't follow these rules, it's not legal. This means you have a defense in an eviction case.

If your landlord gives you three warning notices within one year, and you have a lease (not a month-to-month agreement), your landlord can refuse to renew your lease. This is sometimes called a three strikes notice. but it could have a different name too. 

A three strikes notice must:

1. Be delivered to you at least 90 days before the date your lease ends;
2. List the exact reasons (strikes) for not renewing your lease; and
3. Give a move-out deadline that is not before the lease end date.

If your landlord's notice doesn't follow these rules, it's not legal. This means you have a defense in an eviction case.