Tenant eviction notice format (notice to vacate)
Last updated 26 September 2026
Short answer
For a monthly tenancy, a landlord generally gives 15 days' notice that ends at the end of a month of the tenancy (Section 106, Transfer of Property Act), unless the agreement or a state rent control law says otherwise. If the tenant does not leave, the landlord needs a court order. Forcing a tenant out is not allowed.
A landlord who wants a tenant to leave normally starts with a written notice ending the tenancy and asking the tenant to vacate. If the tenant does not leave, the landlord has to go to court for an eviction order, and cannot lock the tenant out or cut off electricity or water. This page gives a sample notice, the notice periods to watch, and a checklist.
Time limits and key points
- For a monthly tenancy, Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 generally requires 15 days' notice, ending at the end of a month of the tenancy. For a year-to-year tenancy it is six months' notice, ending at the end of a year of the tenancy.
- A written agreement, a registered lease or local custom can set a different notice period, so read the rent agreement first.
- The notice must be in writing and signed by the landlord or someone acting for them. It can be sent by post, handed to the tenant (or a family member or servant at the residence), or fixed on a visible part of the property if handing it over is not possible.
- Many states have rent control laws that protect tenants. They allow eviction only on listed grounds (for example non-payment of rent, subletting, or the landlord's genuine need) and can have their own notice rules. Some states have adopted the Model Tenancy Act, 2021. Check the law that applies in your state before sending anything.
- If the tenant does not vacate after the notice ends, the landlord has to file a suit or petition for eviction in the proper court and get an order. Forcing a tenant out without a court order can be an offence.
What to have ready
- The rent agreement (registered or not), and any renewal or extension
- Proof that you own the property or are entitled to let it (sale deed, property card, tax receipts)
- The rent agreed, rent receipts, bank or UPI records, and a statement of the arrears
- The date the tenancy started and the day of the month on which rent falls due
- The reason for asking the tenant to leave (end of term, non-payment, own use), and any earlier reminders or messages
- The tenant's name and the address of the premises exactly as in the agreement
Sample format (English)
Replace everything in [square brackets] with your facts, and delete what does not apply.
[Advocate's name / Firm name]
[Address] | [Mobile] | [Email]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
BY REGISTERED POST A.D. / SPEED POST / HAND DELIVERY / EMAIL
To,
[Name of the tenant]
[Address of the tenanted premises]
Subject: Notice terminating the tenancy and calling upon you to vacate premises at [address], and to pay arrears of rent
Sir / Madam,
Under instructions from and on behalf of my client, [name of the landlord], residing at [address] (the "landlord"), I serve you with the following notice:
1. That my client is the owner of [describe the premises: flat / shop / house no., building, locality, city] (the "premises"), and you are in occupation as a tenant of my client on a monthly rent of Rs. [amount], payable on or before the [day] of each month, under [a rent agreement dated ... / an oral tenancy commencing on ...].
2. [Choose what applies and delete the rest]
(a) That you have not paid rent for the period from [month] to [month], being [number] months, and an amount of Rs. [amount] is due from you as arrears of rent, in spite of repeated requests.
(b) That the tenancy period under the agreement dated [date] has ended on [date], and my client does not wish to continue the tenancy.
(c) That my client requires the premises for [own residence / own business / other genuine need: describe].
3. That by this notice my client terminates your tenancy with effect from the end of [date, which must fall at the end of a month of the tenancy and give at least the notice period that applies], and calls upon you to hand over vacant and peaceful possession of the premises to my client on or before that date.
4. That you are also called upon to pay to my client, within [15] days of receiving this notice, the arrears of rent of Rs. [amount], and to pay, for every month or part of a month you continue to occupy the premises after the tenancy ends, compensation for use and occupation at Rs. [amount] per month until you hand over possession.
5. That if you fail to vacate the premises and pay the amounts due as demanded, my client shall be constrained to take appropriate legal proceedings against you in the competent court for your eviction, recovery of arrears and compensation for use and occupation, and costs, entirely at your risk as to costs and consequences.
6. That nothing in this notice waives any right of my client, and all rights and remedies of my client are reserved. A copy of this notice has been retained in my office.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Name of the advocate]
Advocate for [name of the landlord]
Enrolment no.: [number]नमूना प्रारूप (हिंदी)
[चौकोर कोष्ठक] में दी गई जानकारी अपने तथ्यों से बदलें और जो लागू न हो उसे हटा दें।
[अधिवक्ता का नाम / फर्म का नाम]
[पता] | [मोबाइल] | [ईमेल]
दिनांक: [दिन/माह/वर्ष]
रजिस्टर्ड डाक (पावती सहित) / स्पीड पोस्ट / हाथों-हाथ / ईमेल द्वारा
प्रति,
[किराएदार का नाम]
[किराए के परिसर का पता]
विषय: किरायेदारी समाप्त करने, [पता] स्थित परिसर खाली करने तथा किराए का बकाया चुकाने हेतु नोटिस
महोदय / महोदया,
मैं अपने मुवक्किल [मकान मालिक का नाम], निवासी [पता] ("मकान मालिक") के निर्देश पर और उनकी ओर से आपको यह नोटिस देता / देती हूँ:
1. मेरे मुवक्किल [परिसर का विवरण दें: फ्लैट / दुकान / मकान क्रमांक, इमारत, क्षेत्र, शहर] ("परिसर") के स्वामी हैं, और आप [दिनांक ... के किरायानामे / दिनांक ... से आरंभ मौखिक किरायेदारी] के अंतर्गत रु. [राशि] मासिक किराए पर, जो प्रत्येक माह की [तारीख] तक देय है, मेरे मुवक्किल के किराएदार के रूप में परिसर में रह रहे हैं।
2. [जो लागू हो वह रखें और शेष हटा दें]
(क) आपने [माह] से [माह] तक, अर्थात [संख्या] माह का किराया नहीं चुकाया है, और बार-बार कहने के बावजूद रु. [राशि] किराए का बकाया आप पर शेष है।
(ख) दिनांक [तारीख] के किरायानामे के अंतर्गत किरायेदारी की अवधि [तारीख] को समाप्त हो चुकी है और मेरे मुवक्किल किरायेदारी जारी नहीं रखना चाहते।
(ग) मेरे मुवक्किल को परिसर की [स्वयं के निवास / स्वयं के व्यवसाय / अन्य वास्तविक आवश्यकता: विवरण दें] के लिए आवश्यकता है।
3. इस नोटिस द्वारा मेरे मुवक्किल आपकी किरायेदारी को [तारीख, जो किरायेदारी के माह के अंत में पड़ती हो और लागू नोटिस अवधि से कम न हो] के अंत से समाप्त करते हैं, और आपसे कहते हैं कि आप उक्त तारीख तक या उससे पहले परिसर का रिक्त एवं शांतिपूर्ण कब्ज़ा मेरे मुवक्किल को सौंप दें।
4. आपसे यह भी कहा जाता है कि इस नोटिस की प्राप्ति से [15] दिनों के भीतर बकाया किराया रु. [राशि] मेरे मुवक्किल को अदा करें, तथा किरायेदारी समाप्त होने के बाद जितने माह या माह के भाग तक आप परिसर में रहें, कब्ज़ा सौंपे जाने तक प्रति माह रु. [राशि] उपयोग एवं अधिभोग की क्षतिपूर्ति के रूप में अदा करें।
5. यदि आप परिसर खाली नहीं करते और माँगी गई राशियाँ अदा नहीं करते, तो मेरे मुवक्किल आपके विरुद्ध आपको बेदखल करने, बकाया किराया एवं उपयोग-अधिभोग की क्षतिपूर्ति तथा खर्च की वसूली के लिए सक्षम न्यायालय में उचित विधिक कार्यवाही करने को बाध्य होंगे, जिसके खर्च और परिणामों के लिए आप स्वयं उत्तरदायी होंगे।
6. इस नोटिस की कोई बात मेरे मुवक्किल के किसी अधिकार का त्याग नहीं है, और उनके सभी अधिकार एवं उपाय सुरक्षित हैं। इस नोटिस की एक प्रति मेरे कार्यालय में रखी गई है।
भवदीय,
[हस्ताक्षर]
[अधिवक्ता का नाम]
अधिवक्ता, [मकान मालिक का नाम] की ओर से
नामांकन क्रमांक: [संख्या]Common mistakes
- Giving less than the notice period that applies, or an end date that does not fall at the end of a month of the tenancy. A defective notice can be challenged.
- Ignoring the state rent control law, which may allow eviction only on specific grounds and may need a different kind of notice.
- Locking the premises, removing belongings or cutting electricity and water to force the tenant out. Only a court order allows eviction.
- Not keeping proof of sending and delivery, or sending it to an address that is not the tenanted premises.
- Mixing reasons that do not fit the facts (for example claiming own use when the real reason is unpaid rent).
- Accepting rent after the tenancy has ended without saying it is only compensation for use and occupation, which can be argued to renew the tenancy.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice must a landlord give a monthly tenant?
Under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, generally 15 days, ending at the end of a month of the tenancy, unless a written agreement or local custom sets a different period. If a state rent control law covers the tenancy, follow its rules.
Can a landlord evict a tenant without going to court?
No. The notice ends the tenancy, but if the tenant stays on, the landlord has to get a court order. Using force, locking the premises or cutting utilities can create legal trouble for the landlord.
Does the rent agreement need to be registered for the notice to be valid?
The notice is valid whether or not the agreement is registered. Note that a lease for more than one year has to be registered by law, and the terms in the agreement (like the notice period) matter, so check it before drafting.
What if the tenant keeps paying rent after the notice?
Accept it only as compensation for use and occupation, and say so in writing. Otherwise the tenant may argue that the landlord agreed to continue the tenancy.
Draft this with your own facts
BarristerX drafts notices, replies and petitions in English and Hindi from the details you enter, and keeps your court diary, clients, payments and follow-ups in one place.
This is general information and a sample format, not legal advice. Facts, amounts, dates and the applicable law differ from case to case. Adapt the text to your facts, and have an advocate review it before it is sent.