How to Write a 5-Day Notice to Vacate Form

When a tenant crosses the line—whether it involves skipping rent, breaking the lease, or causing repeated disruptions—you may need to do more than simply sending a polite reminder.

That’s where a 5-day notice to vacate form comes into play. It’s a legal document that informs tenants they’ve violated their lease and must act quickly. They’ll either need to fix the issue within five days, or you’ll terminate their lease, and they’ll need to move out.

Issuing a 5-day notice to vacate is the first formal step in the eviction process. When written properly, it sets clear expectations while protecting you legally. 

Unsure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’re walking through everything you need to know about drafting and delivering a 5-day notice, plus practical examples and best practices to keep you compliant. 

We’ve also included a free downloadable template for you to customize—making the process faster, simpler, and less stressful.

Quick Insights

• A 5-day notice to vacate is a legal document that gives tenants five days to fix a serious lease violation or move out.
• The notice is typically used for unpaid rent, but it also applies to issues like unauthorized pets, unapproved tenants, property damage, or illegal activity.
• To hold up in court, the form must include landlord or property manager and tenant details, the reason for the notice, remedy options, consequences, and a signature.
• State laws regarding the form differ, so always check your local requirements before serving a notice.
• Serving methods usually include certified mail, hand delivery, or posting on the tenant’s door—acceptable methods vary by state.
• If the tenant complies within five days, the issue is resolved. If not, the next step is filing for eviction in court.
• Keep detailed records—including copies, dates, receipts, and photos—just in case the situation escalates to court.

What’s a 5-Day Notice to Vacate Form?

A 5-day notice to vacate form, also known as a 5-day notice to quit, is a legal document that lets a tenant know they’ve broken the lease and must take immediate action.

Either fix the problem within five days, or move out. If they don’t, the next step is filing for eviction through the court.

In many cases, property managers use this notice to deal with unpaid rent. But it also applies to various other violations, like having unauthorized pets in their unit. The form creates a clear paper trail that protects you in court, while giving the tenant a final shot to make the situation right.

Keep in mind that state laws vary when it comes to the 5-day notice to vacate. Deadlines, wording, and delivery methods can differ depending on your location, making it crucial to double-check your local regulations before serving a notice.

When Should You Use a 5-Day Notice to Vacate?

A 5-day notice isn’t for minor issues—it’s for serious lease violations you can’t ignore. The most common reason is for non-payment of rent, which is usually the fastest way a tenant ends up on the wrong side of their lease.

Some common violations include:

• Unpaid rent
• Unapproved occupants
• Unauthorized pets
• Property damage
• Illegal activity
• Safety hazards
• Excessive noise complaints

The key is acting quickly and consistently, so you can prevent worse problems, like an eviction. Just as necessary is documentation. You should back up every notice with specific dates, details, and copies for your records. 

If the situation escalates to eviction proceedings in court, that paper trail is your strongest protection. Think of it as insurance against those messy, “He said, she said” disputes.

Key Elements of a 5-Day Notice to Vacate Form

When it comes to writing a 5-day notice, clarity and precision are everything. Courts won’t honor a sloppy or incomplete document, and some tenants will take the opportunity to challenge even the most minor mistakes.

To keep your 5-day notice to vacate enforceable and professional, ensure it covers all the necessary details. At a minimum, your form should include these basics:

• Landlord or property manager’s information, like your name, address, and contact details.
• Tenant’s information, including the resident’s name, unit number, and rental address.
• Date of the notice—when it’s officially issued.
• Reason for the notice. Be specific—is it missed rent, an unauthorized pet, or property damage?
• Remedy options, like paying overdue rent, correcting the violation, or vacating the property.
• Deadline for compliance—an exact date and time, five days from delivery.
• Consequences of non-compliance. You’ll file an eviction in court.
• The landlord’s signature is required to validate the document.

Without these key details, your form risks not holding up in court, forcing you to restart the process.

How to Write a 5-Day Notice (Step-by-Step) 

Remember, a 5-day notice to vacate is a formal legal document that either leads to tenant compliance or a costly eviction—every word counts. 

Here’s how to write one correctly.

Step 1: Use a Professional Format

This isn’t the time for a scribbled handwritten note. Use a professional document with clear headings and required fields. Ideally, you should type your 5-day notice, but you can also handwrite it, as long as it’s completely compliant.

The notice should look official and leave no room for misinterpretation. It’s a legal record, so the court should recognize it instantly.

Step 2: Address the Tenant Correctly

Include the tenant’s full legal name, unit number, and property address exactly as they appear on the lease. Even minor errors, such as using a nickname, could give the tenant grounds to challenge the notice later.

Step 3: Clearly State the Violation

This section is crucial. Spell out the lease violation clearly—like unpaid rent, unauthorized pets, property damage, or another breach. If possible, cite the specific clause in your lease agreement.

Step 4: Specify the Required Action

Inform the tenant what needs to happen for them to stay in the unit. For example, they might need to pay all overdue rent within five days, ask an unauthorized occupant to leave, or stop disruptive behavior. 

Be direct but professional to prevent drawn-out disputes.

Step 5: Set a Firm Deadline

List the exact date when the five-day “cure” period ends. Don’t just write “within five days.” Be specific. For example: “Payment must be received no later than March 15, 2025, at 5:00 pm.”

Step 6: Outline Legal Consequences

Explain that if the tenant doesn’t fix the violation or vacate by the deadline, you’ll proceed with the eviction through the court system. It might sound harsh, but it’s necessary to make the notice enforceable and catch the tenant’s attention.

Step 7: Sign and Deliver Properly

Finally, sign the 5-day notice to vacate document to make it official. Then, serve it according to your state’s laws. As always, keep a copy for your records.

Done right, this process strikes the right balance of giving tenants one last chance to correct the issue while protecting yourself with a strong paper trail if the situation escalates to court.

How to Serve a 5-Day Notice to Vacate Properly

You can write the perfect notice, but if you serve it incorrectly, it might not be valid.

Most states accept three main delivery methods:

• Certified mail
• Hand‑delivery to the tenant
• A notice posted to the door if no one answers

However, each state is different, so you need to check yours. In Illinois, for example, you can hand-deliver the notice to the tenant (or to someone older than 13 who lives with them), mail it via certified or registered mail, or post it on the front door if nobody is living in the unit.

Once served, document everything. Keep certified mail receipts, take dated photos of door postings, or log personal delivery with a witness—the more documentation you can get, the better. 

Free 5-Day Notice Template

Grab your free, editable 5-day notice to vacate template from RentPrep. Edit it within Dropbox, tweaking it to your needs: change names, dates, violations, delivery instructions, and more. You can also download the template and edit the file directly.

Get your free template from RentPrep here.

What Happens After Issuing a 5-Day Notice? 

Once you serve a 5-day notice to vacate, it isn’t the end of the story. What happens next depends entirely on how the tenant responds. 

Some people treat the notice as a wake-up call, while others may be unhappy and dig in their heels. Either way, you should prepare for their next move.

Tenant’s Possible Responses

In the best-case scenario, the tenant pays the overdue rent or corrects the violation within the five-day window, and everything returns to normal. 

In some cases, a tenant might reach out to negotiate or request an extension. But it’s up to you whether you want to give an extension.

Of course, the tenant might completely ignore the notice, which usually signals that it’s time to escalate the issue. 

Next Steps if the Tenant Doesn’t Comply

If five days pass without a resolution, your next move is to file for a tenant eviction in court—often called an unlawful detainer action. This requires submitting legal documents, including a copy of the notice, and then carefully following local eviction procedures, step-by-step. 

Always check your local laws so you remain compliant during this less-than-ideal situation. Evictions can be expensive and slow, but careful compliance with local rules keeps your case strong and prevents avoidable delays and extra costs.

Protect Your Property the Right Way

Issuing a 5-day notice to vacate may feel daunting, but really, it’s all about remaining clear and consistent. Follow legal guidelines, act quickly if violations do occur, and keep detailed records to protect your property and credibility. 

Use the free template we shared to make drafting the notice faster and more accurate. For tricky situations—like repeated violations or if you feel unsure about state-specific requirements, don’t hesitate to consult a legal professional so you can stay compliant.

And remember—while notices help resolve issues after they happen, Snappt helps you prevent them from the start. Use Snappt to verify income and IDs before a tenant signs the lease, so you can spend less time chasing down problem tenants and more time working with great ones.

See how Snappt can help you find great tenants from the start.