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 Missouri, a notice to pay rent or quit is a formal communication from a landlord to a tenant who is behind on rent, giving the tenant a specific period to either pay the overdue rent or vacate the property. According to Missouri law, landlords must provide tenants with a rent demand before filing an eviction lawsuit. This demand typically gives the tenant a minimum of three days to pay the rent or leave the premises. If the tenant fails to comply with the notice by either paying the rent or vacating, the landlord may then proceed to file an eviction lawsuit, known as an 'unlawful detainer' suit, in the appropriate Missouri court. It's important for both landlords and tenants to understand that the eviction process is governed by state statutes, and landlords must follow the proper legal procedures to evict a tenant legally.