In most cases, an eviction isn’t legally underway until you receive written notice from the landlord. From there, how long you have to move out varies by state and sometimes by the reason for the eviction.
For example, you might receive a notice to pay or vacate, a notice to comply with the lease or vacate, or a notice of tenancy termination. In some cases, each approach – or cited cause for the eviction – also has unique rules, outlining how much time the landlord has to provide you to move out.
Depending on where you live, the general timeline for moving out is three to 30 days after you receive the formal written notice. Additionally, you may technically get more time in some situations.
Often, the landlord has to provide the written notice and the associated number of days to move out. If you comply, that’s the end of the eviction matter. However, if you don’t, the landlord then has to seek a court order, and that doesn’t happen overnight.
If you intend to fight the eviction in court, you may have several more days or even weeks beyond the initial move-out timeline before that will occur. Whether you go this route may depend on whether the landlord was within their right to evict you. Additionally, whether you want to shoulder the burden of heading to court – including the potential costs associated with fighting the eviction or that may be charged as a result of an unfavorable judgment – could also play a role.
