3-Day Notice to Pay Rent of Quit
Answers for Renters

Renters who do not pay the rent on time may receive a document from their property manager called a Three Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. This notice is a legal demand that you either pay the rent or move out. Even if you move out, you will be liable for any rent due according to the terms of the rental agreement.
        
You need to know that the Three Day Notice serves as the first step in the legal process of evicting you from your rental. Although the notice can be given to you the day after the rent is due, many property managers wait a few days before issuing a Three Day Notice.  According to many rental agreements, a late fee will be assessed if the rent is not received within a certain number of days after the due date.
        
Do not confuse these extra days with a "grace period"or an automatic extension of time to pay your rent.  Since the rent usually is due on the first day of the month, paying after the due date means you are paying late, even if a late fee is not assessed until several days later.  If you make too many late payments, your property manager may decide to terminate your rental agreement.
        
If you receive a Three Day Notice, you only have a few days to pay the rent before your property manager can take the next legal step in the eviction process. Starting the day after you receive the notice, you have three days to pay the rent, unless the third day falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case you have until the end of the next business day.
        
When you receive a Three Day Notice, contact your property manager or rental owner immediately. If you already mailed a check, your property manager will appreciate knowing that the rent payment is on the way. If you cannot pay the rent, you should attempt to resolve the problem with your property manager before any legal action is taken against you. Otherwise, the eviction process will proceed, and you may end up with a negative mark on your credit records.