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 Florida, a notice to pay rent or quit is governed by Florida Statutes Section 83.56. When a tenant fails to pay rent when it is due, the landlord must provide the tenant with a written notice allowing three business days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, to pay the rent or vacate the premises. This notice must be delivered to the tenant by mail, hand delivery, or posting on the premises if the tenant is absent. If the tenant does not comply with the notice by either paying the overdue rent or vacating the property within the specified time frame, the landlord may then proceed with filing an eviction lawsuit, also known as an action for possession. It's important for landlords to follow the specific requirements for the notice and the timeline provided by state law to ensure the validity of the eviction process.