3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit Template
A 3-day notice to pay or quit tells your tenant: pay all rent owed within 3 days, or leave. It's the first legal step before you can file for eviction.
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What Your 3-Day Notice Must Include
Courts are strict about 3-day notices. Miss a required element and your entire eviction case gets thrown out. You'll have to start over.
- Exact rent amount owed — To the penny. Don't include late fees or other charges
- Rental period — Which month(s) the rent covers
- Property address — Full address including unit number
- Tenant name(s) — All adults on the lease
- Payment instructions — Where and how to pay
- 3-day deadline — Clear statement that they have 3 days
Important: In California, you can ONLY demand the rent amount. Adding late fees, utilities, or damages to your 3-day notice makes the entire notice invalid.
6 Mistakes That Kill Your Eviction Case
Including late fees in the amount
The 3-day notice can only demand rent. Late fees, damages, or utilities must be collected separately. Include them and your notice is void.
Wrong rent amount
Even $1 off can invalidate your notice. Check your lease. Double-check your math. The amount must be exact.
Improper service
Hand it to the tenant. If they're not home, post it AND mail it. Text messages don't count. Email doesn't count. Get proof of delivery.
Counting days wrong
The 3 days start the day AFTER you serve the notice. Weekends and court holidays don't count in California. File too early and your case gets dismissed.
Missing tenants
Name every adult tenant on the lease. Forget one person and they can claim they never received notice.
Using 3 days when you need 30 or 60
3-day notices are ONLY for non-payment of rent. Lease violations require different notices. Ending a tenancy requires 30 or 60 days.
3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit Example
THREE-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
Date: [Notice Date]
To: [Tenant Name]
Re: [Property Address]
WITHIN THREE (3) DAYS after service of this notice, you are hereby required to pay the rent on the above-described premises in the amount of $[Amount] for the rental period of [Month/Year], or quit and deliver up possession of the premises.
Rent may be paid to [Landlord Name] at [Payment Address/Method].
If you fail to pay the rent in full or vacate the premises within three (3) days, legal proceedings will be instituted against you to recover possession of said premises, to declare the forfeiture of the rental agreement, and to recover rents and damages.
Landlord/Agent: [Landlord Name]
This is a simplified example. The generator above creates a complete, legally formatted notice with all required elements for your state.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 3-day notice to pay or quit?
It's a legal notice that gives your tenant 3 days to pay all overdue rent or move out. It's the first required step in the eviction process for non-payment. You cannot file for eviction without serving this notice first.
How do I serve a 3-day notice?
Personal delivery to the tenant is best. If they're not home, you can usually give it to another adult at the property AND mail a copy, or post it on the door AND mail it. Keep proof of how and when you served it.
When do the 3 days start?
The 3 days begin the day after you serve the notice. In California, weekends and court holidays don't count. So if you serve on Monday, the 3 days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
What if my tenant pays within 3 days?
If they pay the full amount owed (rent only, not late fees), they get to stay. You cannot proceed with eviction. This is their right under the law.
Can I include late fees in the 3-day notice?
No. In most states including California, the 3-day notice can only demand the base rent amount. Including late fees, utilities, or damages invalidates the entire notice.
What happens after 3 days if they don't pay?
You can file an unlawful detainer lawsuit (eviction) with your local court. You'll need proof of service of your 3-day notice. The court process typically takes 3-6 weeks.
Every Day You Wait Costs You Money
Your tenant isn't paying rent. The 3-day notice is step one. Generate yours now and start the clock on getting your property back.
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