Renter's Rights by State
Eviction notice periods, just-cause coverage, and key tenant protections across all 50 states + DC. Accurate as of April 2026.
Rates current as of April 2026
State landlord-tenant statute rules.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Criminal eviction statute: 10-day notice alternative.
California
AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months in most properties.
Colorado
HB 24-1098: just cause required for residential after 12 months (effective 2024).
Connecticut
Just cause required for post-tenancy non-renewal in many cases.
Delaware
District of Columbia
Strong tenant protections. Rental Housing Act requires just cause.
Florida
3 days excludes weekends/holidays.
Georgia
Demand for possession required but no statutory waiting period.
Hawaii
5 business days for non-payment.
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
No required waiting period; must file a Failure to Pay Rent action.
Massachusetts
No notice required in some fixed-term non-payment cases.
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Demand required; no statutory waiting period for non-payment.
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
7 business days for non-payment.
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Anti-Eviction Act: just cause required (NJ is very tenant-friendly).
New Mexico
New York
Good Cause Eviction law (2024) requires just cause in much of the state.
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
SB 608 (2019): just cause required after 12 months; also statewide rent cap.
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
14 days in counties with URLTA; 30 elsewhere.
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
2021 just cause law covers most residential tenancies.
West Virginia
No statutory notice required before filing.
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Informational only — not legal advice.
Landlord-tenant law varies by state AND city. Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Oakland, NYC, San Francisco, and Washington DC all have additional rent control, eviction protections, or relocation payment requirements. For eviction defense, contact a local tenant attorney or legal aid organization — most states offer free advice to qualifying tenants.