The first step after an eviction notice is to read it closely and turn its contents into a dated written record, before you contact your landlord or any assistance office. Pull out the deadline, the amount owed and the delivery date, then compare them with your own rent records. Later steps depend on these facts being accurate. Notice rules differ by location. The 14-day minimum below comes from Hennepin County, Minnesota, so check the rules where you live.
What should you do first after an eviction notice?
Read the notice for three facts
| Item | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline | The date stated in the notice by which action is required | Sets the timeline for every other step |
| Amount owed | The total claimed, and whether each month matches your records | Shows early any disagreement about the balance |
| Delivery date | The date you received the notice and how it was delivered | Lets you check whether the notice period was respected |
Log the facts in one place
- Write the three facts from the table on a single page, with the date you read the notice.
- Keep a copy of the notice itself, either a scan or a clear photo, stored separately from the original.
- Note any difference between the amount claimed and the amount you believe you owe, with the months involved.
Document rent paid and communications
- Keep proof of every rent payment: bank transfer confirmations, receipts or copies of canceled checks. Record the date and amount of each one.
- Save all texts, emails and letters from the landlord in their original form, with their dates visible.
- For phone calls, write a short note the same day: date, time, who you spoke with and what was said.
- Keep a running list of any months where rent was paid late or only partly, so the gaps are visible at a glance.
Can your landlord agree to a payment plan?
Yes, a landlord can agree to a repayment plan. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB, 2024-12-12) advises renters who are behind on rent and have an eviction notice to talk with the landlord about one. The landlord decides whether to accept, so the practical goal is to propose a specific schedule and then get the terms in writing.
How a repayment plan is structured
A repayment plan divides the unpaid balance into scheduled installments that are paid on top of the regular rent. A workable plan defines these elements:
| Element | What it defines |
|---|---|
| Total arrears | The exact amount owed on the start date, itemized by month |
| Installment amount | The sum paid in addition to the regular rent in each period |
| Due dates | The calendar date of each installment, aligned with the rent due date or the date income arrives |
| End date | The date the arrears balance reaches zero |
| Current rent | Whether regular rent remains due in full alongside each installment |
Before you propose figures, confirm the exact arrears with the landlord. A proposal built on a disputed balance is harder to agree on.
Requesting a written agreement signed by the landlord
A verbal agreement is difficult to prove later. Send the proposed schedule by email or letter, ask the landlord to sign or countersign it, and keep a copy. The written version should name both parties, the property address, the arrears amount, every installment amount and date, and the end date. It should also state in plain terms whether the plan affects the pending eviction notice, since the notice is the reason the plan matters.
Partial payments and late fee waivers
Ask in writing whether partial payments will be accepted during the plan and whether accrued late fees will be waived or reduced. A waiver mentioned only in conversation is hard to rely on, so the signed agreement should list it. Record each payment with its date, amount, and method, and keep the receipt or bank confirmation.
Where can you apply for rental assistance?
Renters who are behind on rent and have received an eviction notice should apply to state or local organizations for federal rent and utility assistance. The federal funds reach tenants through these state and local channels, so the first step is identifying the agency that serves the state and county where the rental home is located. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published this guidance on 2024-12-12.
State and local rent and utility programs
Start with the state housing agency or the city or county housing office. Ask whether any program covers both rent arrears and utility bills, since the federal assistance described by the CFPB covers both rent and utilities. Have your eviction notice and proof of income ready, because the local office will need them to confirm your eligibility.
Status of pandemic-era programs
Many pandemic-era programs have closed. Some funds may still be available, so check before you assume none remain. Contact the state or local office and ask two questions: whether any assistance funds are still open, and whether it is accepting new applications at this time.
RentHelpHennepin as a county example
In Hennepin County, Minnesota, rent help is available through RentHelpHennepin, as stated in the county’s 2026 guidance. It shows how a named local program works: you search for the program under its county, confirm that it is active, and then apply through the county channel. Other counties and states use different program names, so use the same method for your location.
How does 211 or a housing counselor help?
Two services connect a renter facing an eviction notice to local help: the 211 hotline, which routes callers to local emergency housing resources, and a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, reachable at 800-569-4287. Both can help identify which organizations apply to a specific case. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), in guidance dated 2024-12-12, advises renters behind on rent to apply to state or local organizations. These two services help identify which organizations apply to a specific case.
What a counselor does: budget review and case referrals
A housing counselor starts with a budget review. The counselor looks at monthly income and fixed expenses to show how large the gap between rent due and money available is. That figure is what the counselor uses to decide which kind of help fits. The counselor then makes case referrals to the local organization that handles the tenant’s situation. Ask the counselor which local sources are still taking applications.
What 211 does: local routing
211 does not review finances. The caller describes their situation, and the operator routes them to local emergency housing resources in their area. Results depend on location, so the same call produces different referrals in different counties or cities.
Method: how to use both
- Gather the eviction notice, the lease, and recent rent statements.
- Call 211 to get local emergency housing referrals, or call 800-569-4287 to reach a HUD-approved counselor.
- Ask the counselor for a budget review and a written list of referrals.
- Record each contact with the date, the person’s name, and the outcome.
Can legal aid stop an eviction?
Legal aid cannot stop an eviction by itself. It can review your notice, explain your options and help you prepare, but whether an eviction is paused depends on the court process and on what the landlord does. Legal aid and bar-referral services can review your notice, explain your options and help you prepare, but whether an eviction is paused depends on the court process and the actions your landlord takes. The CFPB guidance says free legal help may be available depending on income. It does not list which outcomes a lawyer can secure.
What legal aid can and cannot halt
| Option | What it can do | What it cannot do |
|---|---|---|
| Legal aid organization | Review the notice and any court papers, explain your options, and help you prepare a response | Cancel an eviction without the landlord or a court acting on it |
| Local bar association referral | Connect you with a lawyer who handles landlord-tenant matters | Guarantee free representation for every caller |
| HUD-approved housing counseling agency (800-569-4287) | Help you assess your situation and look for assistance programs | Act as a lawyer or stop proceedings |
Income thresholds and free versus fee-based services
Eligibility for free legal aid depends on income, according to the CFPB. The source material does not give a threshold figure, so check the current income limit directly with the organization before you apply. Ask any referral service whether it charges a consultation fee. Ask whether the first meeting is free and whether the fee covers the full case.
Local bar association referral services
A local bar association can refer you to a lawyer who handles tenant cases. Call the association, describe the eviction notice and ask for a landlord-tenant referral. Bring a copy of the notice and any lease or payment records so the lawyer can judge your situation quickly.
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), updated 2024-12-12.
What happens if you ignore the court date?
Not appearing at an eviction hearing is the costliest mistake in the process, because the court decides without the tenant’s side. In Hennepin County, Minnesota, a tenant who misses the hearing loses the case. Before the hearing, a written answer is the way to put the tenant’s situation on the record.
Outcomes by action
| Action taken | Documented result |
|---|---|
| No answer, and no appearance at the hearing | The tenant loses the case (Hennepin County, Minnesota, 2026) |
| Written answer describing efforts to get help and any pending applications | The judge may delay or dismiss the eviction because the tenant is seeking help (CFPB, 2024-12-12) |
What the written answer should contain
The CFPB source describes the answer as a filing that covers two things:
- Efforts to get help, such as any repayment plan discussed with the landlord and applications made to state or local organizations.
- Pending assistance applications, meaning applications that have been submitted but not yet decided.
The answer does not decide the case. It gives the judge a documented basis for delaying or dismissing the eviction while assistance is being processed. The judge makes that decision, and the outcome is not guaranteed. Filing an answer does not replace attending the hearing.
What if the court has already ruled?
If a court has already ruled for eviction, the tenant can still ask for a pause and for help with certain costs. The CFPB notes that the tenant can ask the judge or the clerk whether the eviction order can be put on hold while a rental assistance application is being processed. The request goes to the court, so the tenant does not need the landlord’s agreement to make it. The request is tied to an application that is actually in process, so the tenant should confirm that the application has been submitted before raising the stay with the court.
The same guidance says the tenant can also ask for help with three post-judgment costs:
- Moving costs: the expenses of relocating out of the rental.
- Security deposit: the deposit required to rent a new home.
- Application fees: the fees charged when applying to a new rental.
These requests are separate from the stay. A tenant can ask for help with moving or deposit costs whether or not the court grants a pause, so each request should be listed and documented on its own.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get rent help after receiving an eviction notice?
Yes. Ask your landlord whether they will agree to a repayment plan, and apply to state or local organizations for federal rent and utility assistance. Many pandemic-era programs have closed, so availability varies by area.
What happens if my landlord has already filed an eviction lawsuit?
You can file a written answer with the court that describes your efforts to get help and any assistance applications still pending. The judge may delay or dismiss the eviction because you are actively seeking help.
Where can I get free help if I cannot afford a lawyer?
Call a HUD-approved housing counseling agency at 800-569-4287. Legal aid or your local bar association may also offer free help, depending on your income.
