Something has gone wrong. Here is the order to do things in.
Most landlord problems have a fixed legal sequence, and skipping a step is what gets a case dismissed rather than delayed. Each page below sets out the sequence and hands you the notice for the step you are on.
Happening right now
Money is being lost or a deadline is running. The first step is almost always a written notice, correctly dated.
Tenant Not Paying Rent
Your tenant hasn't paid rent and you're losing money every day. You need to know your options.
UrgentHow to Evict a Tenant
You need to remove a tenant but don't want to make costly legal mistakes.
UrgentTenant Won't Leave After Lease Ends
Your tenant's lease ended but they're still living there. You can't just change the locks.
UrgentTenant Damaging Property
Your tenant is damaging your property beyond normal wear and tear.
Urgent
Needs handling this month
Not an emergency, but it will become one if the paperwork is wrong or late.
Tenant Breaking Lease Rules
Your tenant is breaking the lease terms but you're not sure what you can do about it.
This monthUnauthorized Pet in Rental
Your tenant got a pet even though the lease says no pets allowed.
This monthUnauthorized Person Living in Rental
You've discovered someone is living in your rental who wasn't approved and isn't on the lease.
This monthNoise Complaints About Tenant
Your tenant is disturbing neighbors with excessive noise and you're getting complaints.
This monthWhat Can I Deduct From Security Deposit
Your tenant moved out and there's damage, but you're unsure what you can legally deduct.
This monthTenant Moved Out Without Notice
Your tenant disappeared without notice and left belongings behind.
This monthTenant Refuses to Allow Entry
You need to access your property but the tenant won't let you in.
This month
Planning ahead
Decisions with notice periods attached. Getting the timing right here avoids the first two categories entirely.
How to Raise Rent Legally
You need to increase rent to cover costs but want to do it the right way.
PlanningEnd Month-to-Month Tenancy
You want to end a month-to-month arrangement but need to follow proper procedures.
PlanningSelling Rental Property With Tenants
You're selling your rental but need to navigate tenant rights during the sale.
Planning
Where this stops and a lawyer starts.
These pages describe the ordinary sequence and give you correctly formed notices. That covers the large majority of what a small landlord runs into, and it is where most costly mistakes happen: a wrong date, a missing element, a step taken out of order.
It is not legal advice and LandlordForms is not a law firm. Once a tenant contests the case, raises habitability or discrimination, or you are filing in court, the value of an attorney licensed in your state exceeds anything a template can do. Say so early is cheaper than say so late.
Whatever the situation, it starts with a dated notice.
Pick the form, fill it in, keep the copy. Free, no account, and the dates are calculated against your state's rules.