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 Iowa, a notice to pay rent or quit is governed by state statutes regarding landlord-tenant law. When a tenant is late on paying rent, the landlord can issue this notice as a first step in the eviction process. According to Iowa Code Section 562A.27(2), the landlord must give a tenant a three-day notice to pay rent or quit. This notice must inform the tenant that they must either pay the overdue rent or vacate the premises within three days of receiving the notice. If the tenant fails to comply with the notice by either paying the rent or vacating the property, the landlord may then initiate formal eviction proceedings through the court system. It's important for both landlords and tenants to understand that this notice is a legal document and that eviction processes are subject to specific legal procedures that must be followed to ensure the rights of both parties are protected.