A notice to pay rent or quit is the formal demand a landlord must serve before filing an eviction case over unpaid rent. It states exactly how much the tenant owes, which rental periods the debt covers, and how many days the tenant has to pay in full or move out.
This template produces a clean pay-or-quit notice with the exact notice period your state requires. If you need a notice for a lease violation or a no-fault termination instead, use our eviction notice template.
Pay-or-quit notice periods by state
Every state sets its own minimum period for a pay-or-quit notice. Here are common examples. Statutes change, so verify the current rule for your state before serving the notice.
| Notice period | Example states |
|---|---|
| 3 days | California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Colorado (most tenancies) |
| 5 days | Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia (5 or more) |
| 7 days | Michigan, Alabama, Oklahoma, Maine (7 or more) |
| 10 days | Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana |
| 14 days | Massachusetts, Vermont, Minnesota (14 or more) |
Count the days the way your state counts them
Some states exclude weekends and court holidays, some exclude the day of service, and some add days when the notice is mailed. An undercounted notice period is one of the most common reasons eviction cases get dismissed.
How to serve a pay-or-quit notice
Serve the notice using a method your state accepts: personal delivery to the tenant, substituted service on another adult at the property plus a mailed copy, certified mail, or posting on the door when other methods fail. Keep proof: a certified mail receipt, a dated photo of the posted notice, or a signed declaration of service. If the tenant does not pay or leave within the period, that proof is what lets you file the eviction case.
Certified mail creates the cleanest paper trail
A certified mail receipt with tracking gives you a dated, third-party record that the notice was sent, which is exactly what a court wants to see.
What happens after the notice period expires
If the tenant pays the full amount within the notice period, the tenancy continues and no eviction can be filed over that debt. If the tenant moves out, you can pursue the unpaid rent separately, for example in small claims court. If the tenant neither pays nor leaves, you may file an eviction case (often called unlawful detainer or forcible entry and detainer) in your local court. Never change the locks or remove the tenant's belongings yourself: self-help evictions are illegal in every state.
Frequently asked questions
Can I include late fees in the amount demanded?
Be careful. Several states require a pay-or-quit notice to demand rent only, and adding late fees or utilities can invalidate it. When in doubt, demand only the base rent in the notice and collect other charges separately.
What if the tenant offers partial payment?
In some states, accepting a partial payment after serving the notice cancels it and you must start over. Decide whether to accept before taking any money, and get any payment plan in writing.
Does this notice start the eviction itself?
No. It is the mandatory first step. If the tenant does not pay or move out within the notice period, you must file an eviction case in court to recover possession.
How is this different from a late rent notice?
A late rent notice is an informal reminder with no legal deadline. A pay-or-quit notice is the formal statutory demand that must precede an eviction filing for nonpayment.
Can I email the notice to my tenant?
Usually not by itself. Most states require personal delivery, certified mail, substituted service, or posting. Email can supplement proper service but rarely replaces it.