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It clarifies how landlords initiate eviction through notice requirements, including pay-or-vacate and vacate notices, delivery methods, and the general 3-day move-out rule. It also describes what to expect after receiving a citation, including trial dates, petitions for back rent, motions for clarification or postponement, and the consequences of not appearing. 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They do not constitute legal advice, and the court is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in the packet.  \n© Texas Justice Court Training Center 2026. TJCTC is a division of Texas State University, and an Educational Endeavor of the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association, funded through a grant from the Court of Criminal Appeals.  \nWhat is an Eviction Case?  \nAn eviction case is filed whenever a person or company is trying to recover possession of real property (like land, a house, or an apartment building) from someone else. Usually, it is a landlord filing against a tenant. The person or company filing the case is called the plaintiff and the person or company they file against is called the defendant.  \nI Got Served with an Eviction Notice, Now What?  \nThe first step in the eviction process is for the landlord to give you a notice. If the only reason the landlord wants to evict you is nonpayment of rent, and you have only paid rent late once during your lease term, the landlord must give you a“notice to pay rent or vacate”. This means that if you pay, you will get to stay, and no eviction case can be filed against you.  \nHowever, after you paid rent late more than once during your lease term, the landlord may give you either a “notice to pay rent or vacate” or a “notice to vacate”. A notice to vacate means that you must leave whether or not you pay.  \nIf the landlord wants to evict you for a breach of the lease other than nonpayment of rent, the landlord is just required to give a notice to vacate.  \nIf you do not leave the premises (including removing your personal property) by that date, the landlord may be able to force you out of the premises through the eviction process. The general rule is that the landlord must give a tenant 3 days ina notice to vacate to move out before proceeding with an eviction. However, different rules may apply, including but not limited to if the lease provides for a different amount of time, if there is an eviction after foreclosure, or if the landlord or tenant receives a federal housing subsidy.  \nThe notice to vacate may be delivered to you by:  \n1) Handing it to you or to any tenant of the premises who is 16 years of age or older,  \n2) Mailing it to the premises, addressed to you,  \n3) Delivering to the inside of the premises, in a conspicuous (prominent or noticeable) place, or  \n4) If you and the landlord have agreed in writing, electronic communication, including email or other electronic means (potentially through an online portal where you pay rent or get notices from the landlord or management company) .  \nAfter the proper notice is delivered and the notice period has expired and you have not complied with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction suit against you in court and pursue an eviction judgment. If they are able to prove their casein court, the landlord may get an eviction judgment against you. This judgment may include any rent that is due, plus the landlord’s court costs and attorney’s fees. Having an eviction judgment against you may make it more difficult for you to rent property in the future.  \nI Got Served with a Citation, Now What?  \nIf the landlord files an eviction, the next thing that will happen is you will receive a citation, issued by the court, which is a notice that tells you that you are being sued and when you have to come to court. The petition was created by the plaintiff and will provide details of why the plaintiff is evicting you, and how much back rent, if any, they are suing for. Note: back rent can increase during the eviction case as time passes.  \nIf the petition isn’t clear about what the plaintiff thinks you did wrong or what they want, you can file a motion with the co","cbCainKo7owm8CVm","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCainKo7owm8CVm","pdf",359006,10,"English","# What is an Eviction Case?\n# I Got Served with an Eviction Notice, Now What?\n## Notice types and deadlines\n## How notice may be delivered\n## What happens if you do not comply\n# I Got Served with a Citation, Now What?\n## Petition details and back rent\n## Motions for clarification and postponement\n## Trial date requirements\n# Do I Need a Lawyer?\n## Court assistance and legal advice limits","[{\"question\":\"What is an eviction case and who are the parties involved?\",\"answer\":\"An eviction case is filed when someone seeks to recover possession of real property from another person. The filer is the plaintiff, and the person being sued is the defendant, often a landlord versus a tenant.\"},{\"question\":\"What should I do after receiving an eviction notice?\",\"answer\":\"First, check which notice you received. If it is a pay-or-vacate notice for nonpayment, paying can prevent filing. If the notice requires you to vacate, you must leave by the stated deadline to avoid the landlord starting an eviction process.\"},{\"question\":\"What happens after I receive a court citation in an eviction case?\",\"answer\":\"You receive a citation telling you that you are being sued and when to appear in court. The petition explains the reasons for eviction and any claimed back rent, and you may file motions to ask for clarification or postponement if needed.\"}]","SRL - Eviction Defendant - Self-Help Legal Information Packet | PDF"]