3-Day Notice - Rental Violation and Notice Requirements

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by William

A landlord may serve a written 3-day notice to a tenant for lease or rental agreement violations, including failure to pay rent, creating nuisances, using the unit for unlawful purposes, or damaging the rental property. If the violation can be corrected, the notice must describe it and allow the tenant to cure or leave within three days; for severe violations, the notice may require leaving with no cure option. Proper service details methods and timing, and the notice must state the responsible party and rent amount accurately, excluding late fees.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages1

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3-Day Notice

What constitutes proper service of a 3-day notice?

How do I count the three-day period after service?

I was served with a 3-day notice to pay or quit. I can’t afford the full amount. Can I pay part of the amount due?

What if I fail to comply with a 3-day notice?

| | |
| | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | 3 | -DAY NOTIC | E | | | | A landlord may serve a written 3-day notice | to a tenant for | any violation of the lease or rental | | | | agreement. A violation may include no | n-payment of ren | t, causing a nuisance to other tenants, | | | | use of the rental unit for unlawful purpo | ses, or damage to | the rental unit. If the violation can | | | | be corrected, such as failure to pay ren | t, the notice mus | t describe the violation and give the | | | | tenant the option to correct the violation | or quit the prem | ises within the 3 days. If the violation | | | | is severe, such as unlawful activity on t | he premises, the | landlord may serve a 3-day notice to | | | | quit with no option to correct. A 3-day | notice to pay rent | or quit must indicate the name, | | | | address, and telephone number of the | responsible party | to whom rent is to be paid. A 3-day | | | | notice to pay rent or quit must accurate | ly indicate the amount | of rent due without including | | | | additional charges such as late fees. T | he landlord is no | t obligated to accept rent, or accept | | | | compliance with requests to correct oth | er violations , after | the 3-day period has expired. | | | | WHAT CONSTITUTES PROPER SER | VICE OF A 3-DA | Y NOTICE? | | | | A landlord may serve a 3-day notice b | y one of three m | ethods: personally serving the written | | | | notice to the tenant; posting the notice | in a conspicuous | place at the rental unit and sending a | | | | copy of the notice by 1st class mail to t | he tenant; by su | bstitute service to someone of “suitable | | | | age and discretion” at the rental unit or | at the tenant’s | place of employment and by sending a | | | | copy of the notice by 1st class mail to | the tenant. The | posting and mailing method, and the | | | | substitute service method, may only be | used if the lan | dlord is unable to personally serve the | | | | notice to the tenant at the rental unit or | the tenant’s plac | e of employment. | | | | HOW DO I COUNT THE THREE-DAY | PERIOD AFTER | SERVICE OF A 3-DAY NOTICE? | | | | The three days begin the next day after | proper service o | f the 3-day notice to the tenant. If the | | | | third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, o | r legal holiday, t | hen the notice is extended to the | | | | following business day. | | | | | | I WAS SERVED WITH A 3-DAY NOTICE | TO PAY OR | QUIT. I CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY | | | | THE FULL AMOUNT. CAN I PAY PAR | T OF THE AMO | UNT DUE? | | | | The landlord may voluntarily choose to | accept a partial | payment. However, the acceptance of | | | | any payment cancels the 3-Day notice | to pay or quit. T | he landlord would be required to serve | | | | a new 3-Day notice to pay or quit for re | nt still unpaid. | | | | | WHAT IF I FAIL TO COMPLY WITH A | 3-DAY NOTICE | ? | | | | The landlord has the right to file an Unl | awful Detainer la | wsuit in order to evict you and regain | | | | possession of the property, after the 3- | day period has e | xpired. | | | | For Assistance cal | l Project Senti | nel (408) 720-9888 | | | | Project Sentinel offers neutral counseling and | dispute resolution s | ervices, but not legal advice or representation | | | | | | | |

FAQs

What violations can trigger a written 3-day notice?

A landlord may serve a 3-day notice for lease or rental agreement violations such as non-payment of rent, causing nuisances, unlawful use of the rental unit, or damage to the rental unit.

What are the proper ways to serve a 3-day notice?

Service can be done by personally serving the written notice, posting it in a conspicuous place at the rental unit and mailing a copy by 1st class mail, or using substitute service on a suitable person with discretion plus mailing a copy by 1st class mail.

How is the three-day period counted after service?

The three days begin the next day after proper service. If the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the notice extends to the following business day.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by William