What Did You Receive?
The first step is identifying the document you received. The type of notice, the reason stated in the notice, and the date it was served can all affect what you need to do next.
Choose the option below that best describes what you received.
I Received a 3-Day Notice
Learn what a 3-day notice may require and what to look for before the deadline.
I Received a 30-Day Notice
Learn when a 30-day notice may be used and what information you should review.
I Received a 60-Day Notice
Understand when a 60-day notice may apply and what you should know about the notice.
I Received a 90-Day Notice
Learn when a 90-day notice may apply and what you should look for.
I Received Court Papers
If you have received an unlawful detainer or other court documents, your next steps are different from responding to a landlord’s notice.
I’m Not Sure What I Received
If you aren’t sure what type of document you received, start by identifying the title of the document and the date it was served.
3-Day Notices
A 3-day notice can mean different things depending on why your landlord gave it to you. Read the notice carefully before deciding what to do.
3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
This notice is generally used when the landlord says you have not paid rent that is due. It gives you a deadline to pay the amount of rent stated in the notice or move out.
A 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit should identify the amount of rent claimed to be owed and provide information about how and where the rent can be paid.
Important: This type of notice is different from a notice that includes other charges such as late fees, utilities, or damages.
3-Day Notice to Perform Covenants or Quit
This type of notice is generally used when the landlord says you have violated a term of your rental agreement and the problem can be corrected.
The notice should explain what the landlord says you did wrong and what you must do to correct the problem.
Examples may include removing an unauthorized pet or correcting another violation of the rental agreement.
3-Day Notice to Quit
A 3-Day Notice to Quit is different because it generally requires the tenant to move out rather than giving the tenant an opportunity to correct the problem.
This type of notice may be used for certain serious lease violations or other circumstances recognized by California law.
Pay Attention to the Deadline
The way you calculate a deadline depends on the type of notice you received.
For a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit or a 3-Day Notice to Perform Covenants or Quit, Saturdays, Sundays, and court holidays are generally not counted.
For a 3-Day Notice to Quit, the counting rules are different and the days are generally counted consecutively.
Do not assume that every “3-day notice” is calculated the same way.
What Should You Do?
Keep the original notice and make a copy or clear photograph of every page.
Write down:
- The date you received the notice
- The type of notice
- The amount claimed, if any
- The deadline stated in the notice
- How the notice was delivered to you
Then review the notice carefully to determine whether it contains the information required for that type of notice.
If you are unsure what type of notice you received or how to calculate the deadline, get help understanding the document before the deadline passes.
30-Day and 60-Day Notices
A 30-day or 60-day Notice to Quit is generally used to end a month-to-month rental agreement. The amount of time stated in the notice can depend on how long the tenant has lived in the home and on other circumstances.
30-Day Notice to Quit
A 30-day notice is generally used when the tenant has lived in the home for less than one year.
The notice should identify the tenant, the rental property, and the date the tenancy will end. It should also provide information about how to recover personal property left behind.
60-Day Notice to Quit
A 60-day notice is generally used when the tenant has lived in the home for one year or longer.
The notice should identify the tenant, the rental property, and the date the tenancy will end. It should also provide information about how to recover personal property left behind.
Just Cause May Be Required
California’s Tenant Protection Act requires many landlords to have a legally recognized reason, called just cause, to end a tenancy after the tenant has lived in the home for the required period.
There are exceptions, and additional rules may apply depending on the property, the landlord’s circumstances, and local laws.
If a notice states a reason for ending your tenancy, read that section carefully and keep a copy of the entire notice.
Check the Date
The deadline for a 30-day or 60-day notice is calculated differently from some 3-day notices.
Generally, you do not count the day the notice was received. Calendar days are then counted according to the applicable rules.
What Should You Do?
Keep the complete notice and make a copy or clear photograph of every page.
Write down:
- The date you received the notice
- Whether it is a 30-day or 60-day notice
- The date the notice says your tenancy will end
- Any reason stated for ending the tenancy
- How the notice was delivered to you
Then review the notice carefully and compare the information on it with the requirements that apply to your situation.
If you are unsure what your notice means or how the deadline applies to you, get help understanding the document before the deadline passes.