Idaho Code §§ 6-301 to 6-324 § 6-304
SERVICE OF NOTICE.
Operative Text
The notices required by the preceding section may be served either: 1. By delivering a copy to the tenant personally; or, 2. If he be absent from his place of residence and from his usual place of business, by leaving a copy with some person of suitable age and discretion at either place, and sending a copy through the mail addressed to the tenant at his place of residence; or, if such place of residence and business cannot be ascertained, or a person of suitable age or discretion cannot be found there, then by affixing a copy in a conspicuous place on the property, and also delivering a copy to a person there residing, if such person can be found; and also sending a copy through the mail addressed to the tenant at the place where the property is situated. Service upon a subtenant may be made in the same manner.
Idaho Code Title 6, Chapter 3, § 6-304 establishes the legally recognized methods by which a landlord may deliver the notices required before pursuing a forcible entry or unlawful detainer action. The rule creates a hierarchy of service methods: first, personal delivery to the tenant; second, substitute service at the tenant's home or business combined with mailing; and third, posting on the property plus mailing when the tenant's location or a suitable person cannot be found. The same service options apply when the occupant is a subtenant rather than the primary tenant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 6-304, landlords and property managers who need to serve a statutory notice should work through the prescribed methods in order, documenting each attempt carefully. A compliant operator typically records the date, time, and manner of each service attempt, retains proof of mailing, and notes the name of any person with whom a copy was left. Skipping steps or failing to follow the hierarchy can undermine the validity of the notice and delay any subsequent unlawful detainer proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 6-304 governs how a landlord must deliver certain legal notices to you, and the method used can affect whether the notice is legally valid. If you believe a notice was not served in accordance with the methods described in this provision—for example, if it was simply left on a doorstep without mailing—that may be relevant to any court proceeding that follows. Tenants who have questions about whether a notice was properly served can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Idaho landlord-tenant law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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