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 Massachusetts, 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 deadline to pay the overdue rent or vacate the rental property. This notice is typically the first step in the eviction process. Under Massachusetts law, the amount of notice required depends on the terms of the lease and the frequency of rent payments. For tenants at will (without a lease), the notice period is typically 14 days. If the tenant fails to pay the rent or vacate the property within the given time frame, the landlord may then file an eviction lawsuit, known as a 'summary process' 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.