Texas 3 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate

Last Updated: March 8, 2024 by Roberto Valenzuela

Texas 3 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate is a letter which complies with state legal requirements to begin eviction against a tenant for a lease violation. The tenant must take appropriate corrective action (if the landlord allows it) or else move out within three (3) calendar days of receiving notice.

When To Use a Texas 3 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate

A Texas 3 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate begins the eviction process for the following tenant violations:

  • Failure to comply with health and safety rules
  • Causing minor property damage
  • Interference with the quiet enjoyment of other persons
  • Other violations of the lease
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At the landlord’s sole discretion, the tenant may be allowed an opportunity to “cure” (take corrective action regarding) the violation. This is not a legal requirement, so the notice should clearly state whether or not the landlord is giving an opportunity to cure.

Some other types of Texas lease termination notice may allow different reasons for termination, or different notice periods. This may also apply to an eviction notice issued because of a lease or legal violation.

How To Write a Texas 3 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate

To help ensure the legal compliance of a Notice To Comply or Vacate:

  1. Use the full name of the receiving party, and address of record, if known
  2. Specify the termination date of the lease or tenancy
  3. Specify the basis for terminating the tenancy, and (if applicable) the corrective action(s) required to avoid termination
  4. Fill in the full address of the rental premises
  5. Provide updated/current address and phone number information
  6. Print name and sign the notice
  7. Complete the certificate of service by indicating the date and method of notice delivery, along with printed name and signature

It is easy to lose an otherwise justified legal action because of improper notice. Check carefully to ensure enough time after notice is delivered, not when it’s sent.

How To Serve a Texas 3 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate

Texas landlords may deliver an Notice To Comply or Vacate using any of these methods:

  1. Hand delivery to the tenant
  2. Hand delivery to a person at least 16 on the property who can accept the notice on behalf of the tenant
  3. Hand-affixing the notice to the inside of the property’s main entry door
  4. Delivery by any form of mail, return receipt requested
  5. Posting the notice on the exterior of the property’s main entry door, PLUS mailing a copy of the notice by 5:00PM local time (only if the landlord perceives a risk of harm by posting inside, or if the premises have an alarm and no onsite mailbox)

When posting notices on the exterior of the premises, the notice must be placed in a sealed envelope with the receiving party’s name and address written on it. In addition, the party posting the notice must write “Important Document,” in all capital letters, on the envelope affixed to the premises. All notices must be mailed from a post office in the same county as the rental unit.

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In almost all cases, notice is legally served when it is received by the other party, NOT when it’s sent. Check specified date of termination carefully to ensure compliance with the legal requirements for a notice period.

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