Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Last verified: · Confidence: medium
Notice for unpaid rent
Pay-or-quit and other notices a landlord must give for unpaid rent before ending a tenancy or filing an eviction.
| Where | Rule | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 14-day written notice before filing an eviction for unpaid rent | At least 14 days before filing an eviction for nonpayment (longer if local law requires) | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| Ohio | 3-day notice to leave the premises before filing an eviction | At least 3 days before filing an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) action | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| California | 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and court holidays) | After rent is late: 3 days' written notice (Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays excluded) before filing an unlawful detainer | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| Illinois | 5-day written demand for unpaid rent before eviction | After rent is due: written demand giving at least 5 days after service to pay | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| Texas | At least 3 days' written notice to vacate before filing an eviction suit, unless the lease sets a different period | At least 3 days before filing an eviction (forcible detainer) suit, unless the written lease sets a shorter or longer period | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-21 |
| North Carolina | Before ending a lease for unpaid rent: make a demand and allow 10 days to pay | At least 10 days after demanding all past-due rent (unless the lease provides otherwise) | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-23 |
| Florida | Before evicting: 3-day notice to pay rent (weekends and holidays excluded) or 7-day notice for other lease violations | 3 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) to pay rent; 7 days to cure other violations | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-21 |
| Arizona | Before filing an eviction: 5-day written notice for unpaid rent, 10-day notice to cure a material breach | At least 5 days after written notice of nonpayment (10 days for a curable material breach) before filing a special detainer action | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-23 |
| Georgia | Before filing for eviction over unpaid rent: give a written notice to pay at least 3 business days ahead | At least 3 business days before filing a dispossessory action for unpaid rent or fees | verified, medium confidence, checked 2026-10-23 |
| Michigan | For unpaid rent: a written 7-day notice to quit | At least 7 days after serving a written notice to quit for unpaid rent | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-23 |
| Washington | Just-cause notice periods: 14-day pay or vacate, 10 days to cure a lease breach, 90 days for owner move-in or sale, 120 days for demolition or rehab | Before ending a tenancy for cause: 14 days to pay rent; at least 10 days to cure a breach; 90 days for owner or family move-in or sale of a single-family home; 120 days for demolition, substantial rehabilitation or change of use | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| District of Columbia | Nonpayment: written notice of intent to file at least 10 days before filing; no case for less than $600 | At least 10 days before filing a nonpayment eviction case (only if at least $600 is owed) | verified, medium confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| Connecticut | Notice to quit: at least 3 days before the lease ends or the date to leave | Serve the written notice to quit at least 3 days before the lease ends or the quit date in the notice | verified, medium confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| Indiana | Unpaid rent: at least 10 days' notice before ending the lease (the tenant can pay in full within the notice period) | At least 10 days after the notice for unpaid rent is given, unless the tenant pays in full first | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Tennessee | URLTA counties: unpaid rent needs a written notice giving the tenant 14 days to pay or move, unless the lease waives notice | At least 14 days after a written notice for unpaid rent (the tenant can cure by paying within the 14 days), unless the written lease waives notice | verified, medium confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Oregon | Unpaid rent: 10-day notice (from the 8th day of the rental period) or 13-day notice (from the 5th day); 72 hours for week-to-week | At least 10 days' written notice given no sooner than the 8th day of the rental period, or 13 days given no sooner than the 5th day (week-to-week: 72 hours, no sooner than the 5th day) | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Pennsylvania | Unpaid rent: a notice to quit giving 10 days to leave (the lease can shorten or waive it) | The notice to quit for unpaid rent must give the tenant 10 days from service to leave, unless the lease provides otherwise | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Colorado | Unpaid rent: a written 10-day demand to pay or leave before an eviction can be filed | At least 10 days after a written demand for the rent or possession is served | verified, medium confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Virginia | Unpaid rent: a written 14-day notice to pay or the agreement ends | At least 14 days after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate is served | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Massachusetts | Unpaid rent: a written 14-day notice to quit | A written notice to quit for nonpayment gives at least 14 days | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| New York | Unpaid rent: a written 14-day rent demand before a nonpayment proceeding | A written rent demand giving at least 14 days to pay or give up possession | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Connecticut | Unpaid rent: the lease can be ended only after the 9-day grace period (4 days for a one-week tenancy), then with a notice to quit | After the 9-day grace period (4 days for one-week tenancies) the landlord may terminate with a notice to quit (served at least 3 days before the quit date) | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Maryland | Unpaid rent: written notice of intent to file, giving 10 days to cure, before filing a failure-to-pay-rent case | Written notice of intent to file (Maryland Judiciary form) at least 10 days before filing, giving the tenant 10 days to cure | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-24 |
| Los Angeles, CA | File every termination notice (including 3-day notices) with LAHD within 3 business days of service | Within 3 business days after serving any written notice terminating a tenancy | verified, high confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| Los Angeles, CA | Nonpayment eviction only if the tenant owes more than one month's Fair Market Rent | Ongoing requirement with no fixed date | verified, medium confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
| Philadelphia, PA | Notice of Rights for Tenants at least 30 days before any eviction step | At least 30 days before taking any step toward eviction | verified, medium confidence, checked 2026-10-20 |
Notice for unpaid rent: one page per state and city
- Arizona notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- California notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Colorado notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Connecticut notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- District of Columbia notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Florida notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Georgia notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Illinois notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Indiana notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Los Angeles, CA notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Maryland notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Massachusetts notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Michigan notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Minnesota notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- New York notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- North Carolina notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Ohio notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Oregon notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Pennsylvania notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Philadelphia, PA notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Tennessee notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Texas notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Virginia notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
- Washington notice for unpaid rent: pay-or-quit notice period
Other topics: Security deposit return · Deposit receipts and bank notices · Security deposit interest · Rental registration and licensing · Rental inspections and certificates · Smoke and CO alarms · Lead paint disclosure and certifications · Required tenant notices · Rent increase notice · Non-renewal and termination notice · Late fees and grace periods · Notice before entry · Heat season · Appliances and locks · Income tax filing · Estimated tax payments · Information returns (1099s).