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 Alabama, a notice to pay rent or quit is governed by state landlord-tenant law. When a tenant is late on paying rent, the landlord can issue this notice as the first step in the eviction process. According to Alabama Code Section 35-9A-421, the landlord must provide the tenant with a seven-day notice to pay the rent or vacate the premises. This means the tenant has seven days from the receipt of the notice to either pay the full amount of rent due or leave the rental property. If the tenant fails to comply with the notice by either paying the rent or vacating, the landlord may then proceed with filing an eviction lawsuit, known as an unlawful detainer action, in the appropriate court. It's important for both landlords and tenants to understand that the eviction process is subject to strict legal procedures and timelines, and an attorney can provide guidance specific to the situation.