Silence doesn't change the legal timeline — the 14-day clock runs whether the tenant responds or not. But document the silence: it strengthens your eventual L1 case if you can show you gave the tenant every reasonable chance to cure.
During the 14 days:
1. One follow-up communication is reasonable. Multiple texts a day is harassment territory — stop after one.
2. Save everything: texts, emails, screenshots, return-receipt mail.
3. If you have a property manager or co-landlord, have them try once too.
4. Do NOT enter the unit, change locks, or remove possessions — that's illegal entry / illegal eviction, which destroys your case and exposes you to a T2 application against you.
At day 15, if no payment and no contact, file L1 immediately.
VirtualPM Legal Shield members get document review + L1 prep as part of the $39/month plan. Book a free 15-minute call below.
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During the 14 days:
1. One follow-up communication is reasonable. Multiple texts a day is harassment territory — stop after one.
2. Save everything: texts, emails, screenshots, return-receipt mail.
3. If you have a property manager or co-landlord, have them try once too.
4. Do NOT enter the unit, change locks, or remove possessions — that's illegal entry / illegal eviction, which destroys your case and exposes you to a T2 application against you.
At day 15, if no payment and no contact, file L1 immediately.
VirtualPM Legal Shield members get document review + L1 prep as part of the $39/month plan. Book a free 15-minute call below.