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 Hawaii, a notice to pay rent or quit is a formal written communication from a landlord to a tenant who is behind on their rent. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 521-68, a landlord must provide a five-day notice to the tenant to either pay the overdue rent or vacate the premises. This notice must be served on the tenant before the landlord can initiate eviction proceedings. If the tenant fails to comply with the notice by either paying the rent or vacating the property within the five-day period, the landlord may then proceed to file 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.