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Got a notice?You are not out tonight.
A landlord notice is not an eviction. You still have rights in this unit. Keep the paper. Write the date. If it names a court, call legal aid today — that help is free, and it is not behind a sign-up.
Know your rights
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Start here
What is happening?
Pick the one that matches tonight. One guide. One next step. You do not have to read the whole library, and you do not have to be a lawyer to start.
You got an eviction notice
Eviction in the United States is a court process. A landlord generally has to give written notice first and then file a case; in most states a tenant is removed only by a sheriff or similar officer acting on a court order. What the notice must say, how long it runs, and how quickly a tenant must respond are set by state law and sometimes by city law.
The repair is not getting made
Your deposit did not come back
Confirm locally
Where do you live?
Renter law is mostly state law, plus whatever your city adds. Search a state — or a city — for the official chapter and the free legal-aid route.
In depth
All 50 states and DCIf you are scared, start here
You are allowed to go slowly.
We will not invent a deadline
Notice periods and deposit caps are state questions. Where a number belongs, you get the official chapter — not a guess dressed up as confidence.
Help is supposed to be free
Legal aid exists for court papers. 211 exists for rent, shelter, and utilities. None of that is a consolation prize, and none of it is behind a sign-up on this desk.
This is a classroom, not a courtroom
We do not take your case. We name the door that does — legal aid, 211, HUD, the city. You can walk through it with the paper in your hand.
Direct answers
Questions people actually ask.
What should I do if I get an eviction notice?
Treat it as time-sensitive, not as the end of the story. A landlord notice is usually a step — not a judgment and not a lockout. Keep the original, write when and how it arrived, and look for a court name. If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. That help is free, and it is not behind a sign-up on this desk.
Is there a national tenant-rights law in the United States?
No single national landlord–tenant code sets notice periods, deposits, or repair timelines. Federal law is mostly a floor around discrimination and consumer protection. State law supplies the main rules; cities may add more; your lease fills the rest. That is why this site routes you to your state instead of publishing one number for the country.
How do I find free legal help as a renter?
LawHelp.org lists legal-aid offices by state. Dial 211 for local services in many languages. If you have court papers, call legal aid the same day and ask about walk-in or self-help hours at the courthouse. Those resources are free and are never behind a sign-up on this site.
Can my landlord enter without notice?
Entry rules are state — and sometimes city — questions, and they often differ for emergencies, repairs, and showings. This site does not invent a national hour-count. Open your state page for the official statute, check your lease, and write down any entry you believe was improper.
How do I get my security deposit back?
Most states set a deadline and allowable deductions in statute, and the details vary widely. Document the unit at move-in and move-out, return keys the way the lease requires, and keep a forwarding address. Confirm the rule on your state page or with legal aid before sending a demand.
Does Renter Protection give legal advice?
No. This is general educational information, not legal advice, and we are not a law firm. We do not review your papers or tell you what to do in your case. When a lawyer is needed, we say so and point you to free legal aid.
This classroom does not store your files. Paper works. Rights come first. Get free help