California Notice to Quit

Alaska Notice to Quit - Why it is important?

You can use the notice to quit form to end your California Residential Lease if the tenant has failed to pay rent. The California Notice to Quit Form should not be confused with the "Writ of Possession" (read more about California eviction notice) which is issued by the courts. The Notice to Quit Form is the beginning of the eviction process, and it communicates the intention to initiate eviction proceedings if a tenant does not comply with an order and remains on the premises beyond the specified date. If the tenant does not comply with the notice (for example they must pay rent or quit the lease and vacate the premises), you may be forced to take legal action to have the tenant removed from the property. If the notice has been ignored by the tenant and the move out date in the notice has passed, you have grounds to bring forth a lawsuit for “unlawful detainer”, in which case the tenant has the option to fight the eviction in court.California Notice to Quit is important in following cases:

• Serving a Notice to Quit is one of the first steps California property management companies can take to regain possession of rental property from the tenant.
• California Notice to Quit notifies tenants they have violated the terms of the lease agreement and must vacate the premises within a certain period of time if they cannot comply with the remedy order.
  

California Notice to Quit – When should it be used?

Before the eviction process, when a landlord or property manager in California wants a tenant to either comply with an order or vacate the rental property if they cannot comply, they will use the California Notice to Quit Form to inform tenants they must remedy the problem within a short period of time (often 3-7 days), or leave the premises (quit) by a certain date (usually 30 days).

• First Step in Eviction: A Notice to Quit is the first legal step California property managers must take to regain possession of a rental property from a tenant.
• Violation Notification: It notifies tenants that they have violated the lease or rental agreement and must either correct the violation or vacate the property within the required notice period.
• Legal Requirement: California law requires a proper Notice to Quit to be served before filing an eviction (unlawful detainer) case in court. An eviction cannot proceed without valid notice.
• Common Reasons: Notices are commonly issued for nonpayment of rent, lease violations, nuisance or property damage, illegal subletting, or holding over after lease expiration.
• Notice Periods:
  • A 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit is required for nonpayment of rent.
  • A 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit applies to most curable lease violations.
  • A 3-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit may be used only in limited, serious cases.
  • 30- or 60-Day Notices may apply for no-fault lease terminations, depending on tenancy length and local rent control laws.
• Tenant’s Right to Cure: In most cases, California tenants have the right to fix the violation—such as paying past-due rent within the notice period before eviction can proceed.

Property managers can use property management software to track each individual California rental lease and make sure their tenants are paying the correct amount of rent and on time.

California Notice to Quit – What should be included?

The California Notice to Quit Form must contain the reason for serving the Notice to Quit and the amount of time the tenant has. The problem must be clearly stated on the notice, so the tenant has reasonable awareness and can either correct the issue, or vacate the rental property. Here are some of the basic details that should be included if the rental property is in California:

Name of Tenant and Other Persons who need to comply with the order or vacate the property:

1. Address of the Rental Property: Full legal address, including unit number if applicable.
2. Name of Tenant and Other Persons: Full legal names of all tenants and other individuals required to vacate.
3. Date of the Notice: The date when the Notice to Quit is issued.
4. Landlord or Property Manager's Name: The full name or legal business name of the landlord or entity issuing the notice.
5. Notice Period: Clearly specify the notice duration (e.g., A 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or 30- or 60-Day Notices may apply for no-fault lease terminations, depending on tenancy length and local rent control laws.).
6. Move-Out Date (Vacate Date): The exact date by which the tenant must vacate the property.
7. Reason for Lease Termination: Clearly state the reason (e.g., nonpayment, lease violation).
8. Signature of Party Giving Notice: The signature of the landlord or tenant, depending on who is initiating the notice.
9. Legal Disclaimer: A statement confirming compliance with California Civil Code and specifying that the notice may not be valid outside California.

California Notice to Quit – What should I do with it?

The Notice to Quit Form must be “served” to the tenant by either Personal Service or Mail Service. In some states you can leave it at the rental property right on the front door, but in most cases it is better for you to have an independent party take two copies of the California Notice to Quit to the rental property, give one to the tenant in person, and get their signature on second copy so that you can retain for your records. If you are mailing the Notice to Quit, you should send the California Notice to Quit Form using First Class Certified Mail and retain the receipt.

California Notice to Quit – What else should I know?

There are generally three types of California Notice to Quit Forms. The California Notice to Quit for Nonpayment of Rent can be used when rent is not paid, and the tenant may be given a short period to either pay up or move out. The California Notice to Quit Form for Termination of Tenancy is similar to the California Notice to Vacate Form and can be used to inform the tenant to leave after the lease is up (common with month to month leases in California), or if there is no lease and you just want the tenant to leave. It is different from the California Lease Termination Form, which terminates the California Lease Agreement when there are other breaches in contract. The California Notice to Quit Form for Health Hazard and Physical Injury should be used if the tenant creates a health hazard or physical injury to the property which is serious or continuing. These forms must be detailed and specific, because an inaccurate or incomplete statement of the problems could cause a later eviction complaint to be dismissed.

After receiving the Notice to Quit, the amount of time a tenant has until they have to comply or vacate the property will vary by state, so you should be sure to check with the laws in California. In some states, tenants are given a 30 Day Notice to Quit, while in other states, a 3 Day Notice to Quit is acceptable.

Key Terms & Provisions

A California Notice to Quit is a legal document used by either a landlord or a tenant to formally notify the other party that they intend to end the Rental Agreement. It must comply with California Civil Code and be delivered in a legally acceptable way:

• Date of Notice – The specific calendar date when the notice is issued.
• Names of All Parties Involved – Full legal names of the tenant(s) and landlord/property manager.
• Rental Property Address – Full legal address and unit description.
• Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length 
• Move-Out Date
• Reason for Termination
• Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature depending on who is initiating the notice.
• Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with California Civil Code and may not be valid outside California.

Why California Landlords & Property Managers Choose SimplifyEm Notice to Quit Template?

We understand the importance of handling lease terminations legally and efficiently in California. That’s why our California Notice to Quit Template is designed to simplify the process and reduce legal risk. Here’s why property managers and landlords trust SimplifyEm’s template:

• Legally Compliant – Our Notice to Quit template aligns with California Civil Code requirements, including proper notice language and legally recognized notice types, helping ensure enforceability.
• Flexible Notice Periods – The template supports California-specific notice periods, such as 3 days for nonpayment of rent, 3 days to cure or quit for lease violations, and 30- or 60-day notices for no-fault terminations, depending on tenancy length and circumstances.
• Simple & User-Friendly – Designed for ease of use, our template allows landlords to quickly fill in essential details and issue notices accurately.
• Helps Prevent Disputes – Clear wording and structured formatting help minimize tenant confusion, disputes, and procedural errors during the eviction or move-out process.
• Trusted by Thousands – SimplifyEm is widely used by landlords and property managers across the U.S. for reliable, compliance-focused property management tools.

Why choose us