A notice of default is a simple document used in a variety of situations to give notice to a person (often a borrower or contractor) that they have failed to perform in accordance with their contract.

In real estate, lenders issue a notice of default in non-judicial foreclosure states when the borrower fails to pay as agreed. In other businesses, it is also sent to a contractor who has failed to perform a service they were obligated to do.

In the context of a lender and borrower relationship, the notice of default is the first step taken by the lender when a borrower has failed to make their payments as agreed. When the notice is sent to the defaulting borrower, it is also simultaneously recorded at the county recorder’s office and/or with the courts to serve as a public notice that the borrower is in default.[1] This is a common measure used by lenders in states that allow for non-judicial foreclosure.

In the context of a contractor or service professional who has agreed to perform services, the notice of default is used to notify them that they have failed to perform as agreed in their contract.

In the context of a landlord/tenant relationship, the landlord can send their tenant a notice of default to deny the occupant’s right of access if the tenant failed to pay rent or other charges[2].

The intent behind a notice of default is to ensure that the defaulting party is aware of their failure to perform and ultimately, to motivate them to take action and resolve the issue. If the defaulting party does not comply, it gives the offended party their first step toward recouping their losses through foreclosure, eviction, or other legal measures.

A notice of default includes the following information[3]:

• A clear statement that the defaulting party has failed to make a payment or perform a service as required by the contract.
• Any pertinent details identifying the borrower, their loan, and what specifically was missed.
• A grace period or timeline for the defaulting party to resolve the issue.
• Any specific penalties or legal action that may be taken if the default is not cured.
• The contact information of the owner, lender, general contractor, or otherwise.

There are many different templates available online that can be used, depending on the purpose of thef notice of default. Here are a few places to start:

• Rocket Lawyer: Notice of Contract Default
• eForms: Lease Default Letter
• Business in a Box: Notice of Default in Payment

A generic notice of default template can be referenced here:

Download Free Template Here

1. Loftsgordon, A. (n.d.) What’s the difference between a notice of default and notice of sale in foreclosure? Nolo. Retrieved from https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/whats-the-difference-between-notice-default-notice-sale-foreclosure.html
2. Legal Information Institute. (n.d.) Notice of default. Cornell Law School. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/notice_of_default
3. Friedman, J., Harris, J., Lindeman, J. (2017.) Dictionary of Real Estate Terms (Barron’s Business Dictionaries.) (9th ed., Kindle edition.) P. 535. Barrons Educational Series, Inc.