An eviction notice (a Demand for Possession or Notice to Quit) is the first step of the legal eviction process.

Know the rights and the resources available to you following an eviction notice:

What you need to know if you're being evicted for nonpayment of rent.

Landlords must follow specific rules for an eviction notice to be considered legal. 

Learn more about eviction notice requirements and whether the notice you received is proper. 

If your notice is improper and your landlord takes you to court, improper notice is a potential defense and grounds for your case being dismissed – mention this to the egal aid attorney or the judge if they do not ask.

Important: Landlords do not have the legal authority to evict tenants – only courts do. 

An eviction notice is not an eviction order. Changing locks, turning off utilities, or other acts preventing you from entering or using your rental property are illegal. Only a court officer (bailiff) may remove a tenant and their personal belongings from a rental property. A legal eviction requires a court order issued by a judge.