A notice to pay rent or quit—also known as an eviction notice or notice to vacate due to late rent—is a written letter demanding a tenant who is late paying rent (1) pay the rent by a certain date or (2) quit (leave or vacate) the premises.
In Connecticut, a notice to pay rent or quit is a formal communication from a landlord to a tenant who is behind on rent, giving the tenant a specific amount of time to either pay the overdue rent or vacate the property. This notice is typically the first step in the eviction process. Connecticut law requires landlords to give tenants a grace period of 9 days after the rent due date before they can issue a notice to pay or quit. If the tenant does not pay the rent within the grace period, the landlord can serve a 3-day notice to pay or quit. If the tenant fails to pay the rent or vacate within those 3 days, the landlord may then proceed with filing an eviction lawsuit, known as a summary process action, in court. It is important for both landlords and tenants to understand that the eviction process is governed by strict legal procedures and timelines, and an attorney can provide guidance specific to the situation.