Answer a few questions and generate a ready-to-review California 3-day notice for nonpayment of rent — the required first step before filing an unlawful detainer.
Before a landlord can file an unlawful detainer (eviction) case for nonpayment of rent, California law requires serving the tenant with a written 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (Code of Civil Procedure § 1161(2)). This tool walks you through the required details — landlord and tenant names, property address, and unpaid rent by month — and generates a notice you can review, print, and serve.
This generator covers nonpayment-of-rent notices only. Lease violations, no-fault terminations, and Section 8 tenancies require different notices, and properties under local rent control or just-cause ordinances may have additional requirements.
California Code of Civil Procedure § 1162 requires service in a strict order: personal delivery to the tenant first; if that's not possible, substituted service (leaving it with a competent household member and mailing a copy); and only if both fail, post-and-mail service (posting on the property and mailing a copy). Improper service can get an eviction case dismissed.
If the tenant hasn't paid in full or moved out within 3 days (excluding weekends and judicial holidays), you can file an unlawful detainer complaint to begin the formal eviction process. We prepare unlawful detainer filings starting at $250.
No — this tool is built specifically for the 3-day pay-or-quit notice for nonpayment of rent. Other notice types (cure-or-quit for lease violations, unconditional quit, no-fault terminations) have different legal requirements and aren't covered here.
No. This tool prepares a self-help legal document based on the information you provide, consistent with our role as a California Legal Document Assistant under Business & Professions Code §6400–6415. We can't tell you whether this notice is the right one for your situation — consult an attorney if you're unsure.
Once your notice period has passed, we prepare and file complete unlawful detainer paperwork starting at $250 for landlords, serving all Los Angeles County Superior Courts.
See Eviction Document Preparation →Los Angeles Paralegals is a document preparation service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or legal counsel of any kind. All documents are prepared based on information you provide. We strongly recommend consulting a licensed California attorney for advice specific to your circumstances.