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 Pennsylvania, a 'notice to pay rent or quit' is a legal document that a landlord can serve to a tenant who is behind on their rent. This notice informs the tenant that they must either pay the overdue rent by a specified deadline or vacate the rental property. The notice period required by Pennsylvania law depends on the length of the tenancy. For a tenant who has lived in the property for less than one year, the notice period is 10 days. For a tenant who has been in the property for more than one year, the notice period is extended to 30 days. If the tenant fails to pay the rent or vacate the property within the given time frame, the landlord may proceed with filing an eviction lawsuit, also known as an 'action for possession,' in the local Magisterial District Judge's court. It's important for landlords to follow the proper legal procedures and timelines when issuing a notice to pay rent or quit, as failure to do so may result in delays or dismissal of their eviction case.