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 Delaware, a notice to pay rent or quit is a formal written communication from a landlord to a tenant who is behind on rent, demanding payment by a specific deadline or requiring the tenant to vacate the property. Under Delaware law, landlords must provide tenants with a 5-day notice to pay or quit for nonpayment of rent. This means that once rent is past due, the landlord can give the tenant a written notice that gives them 5 days to pay the rent in full or move out. If the tenant fails to comply with the notice by either paying the overdue rent or vacating the premises, the landlord may then proceed with filing an eviction lawsuit, known as a Summary Possession 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.