Pre-Desalojo Rent Demandas for California Residential Propietarios
| Notice Type | Purpose | Legal Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Informal Carta de Demanda | Friendly reminder or firm demand for rent; not required by law | No legal effect; cannot be used as basis for desalojo |
| 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (CCP § 1161) | Formal notice required before filing unlawful detainer | Legally required; gives inquilino 3 días to pay or vacate |
| 30-Day / 60-Day / 90-Day Notice | Terminación of tenancy (no cause required in non-just-cause jurisdictions) | Used to end month-to-month tenancies, not for rent collection |
This is the formal statutory notice required before filing an unlawful detainer demanda judicial:
California's Inquilino Protection Act (código civil § 1946.2) imposes restrictions on evictions statewide:
Many California cities have stricter rules than state law:
Advantages:
Best For:
Serve Formal Notice Immediately When:
California law allows late fees if specified in the contrato de arrendamiento and reasonable:
Benefits of Offering Payment Plans:
Risks of Payment Plans:
| Component | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Header | Your name/property management company, address, phone, email; inquilino name and unit address |
| Subject Line | "Rent Payment Demand" or "Notice of Past Due Rent" |
| Amount Owed | Exact rent amount owed and rental period (e.g., "$2,500 for December 2024 rent") |
| Due Date | Original rent due date and number of days late |
| Late Fees | Late fee amount if applicable (cite contrato de arrendamiento provision) |
| Deadline | Specific date by which payment must be received (typically 5-10 días from letter date) |
| Payment Method | How to pay (check, online portal, wire transfer, etc.) |
| Consequences | State that falta de pago will result in 3-Day Notice and desalojo proceedings |
| Contacto Info | Invite inquilino to contact you to discuss payment arrangements |
| Day | Action |
|---|---|
| Día 1 | Enviar informal carta de demanda |
| Day 3-5 | Follow up with phone call or email if no response |
| Day 7-10 | If deadline passes with no payment, prepare 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit |
| Day 11-14 | Serve 3-Day Notice (personally, substituted service, or post-and-mail) |
| Day 17+ | If inquilino fails to pay within 3-day period, file unlawful detainer demanda judicial |
If informal demand fails, serve formal statutory notice:
If inquilino fails to pay or vacate dentro de 3 días, file desalojo demanda judicial in superior tribunal:
Inquilino has 5 calendar days to file written response (Answer):
Unlawful detainer trials are expedited:
If propietario obtains judgment:
| Step | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| 3-Day Notice | 3 días |
| File Unlawful Detainer | 1-2 días |
| Serve Inquilino | 3-5 días |
| Inquilino's Response Period | 5 días |
| Trial | 20-40 días from filing |
| Writ & Sheriff Lockout | 10-15 días after judgment |
| Total: Uncontested Case | 30-45 días |
| Total: Contested Case | 60-90 días |
I represent residential propietarios in rent collection, desalojo proceedings, and propietario-inquilino disputes. I can draft carta de demandas, prepare and serve 3-Day Notices, file unlawful detainer lawsuits, and represent you at trial.
I handle all aspects of residential evictions:
Inquilinos often raise defenses and counterclaims in desalojo cases:
Consider hiring an abogado if:
Book a call to discuss your rent collection or desalojo case. I'll review your situation, explain the desalojo timeline, and provide a quote for legal services.
Genere una carta de demanda profesional, demanda ante tribunal de CA o demanda de arbitraje
Email: owner@terms.law
Before initiating desalojo proceedings, propietarios must typically send a formal demand for unpaid rent. This "pay or quit" notice gives the inquilino a final opportunity to pay before facing desalojo. Proper notice is legally required in most states—skipping this step can delay or derail your desalojo case.
Notice periods vary by state: California requires 3 días, Texas requires 3 días (unless contrato de arrendamiento specifies otherwise), New York requires 14 días for monthly inquilinos, Florida requires 3 días. Some states require specific language. Using the wrong form or period can invalidate your desalojo. Always verify your state's current requirements.
How you deliver the notice matters. Most states require personal service, posting and mailing, or correo certificado. Keep proof of service—you'll need it in tribunal. Many propietarios use a process server for desalojo notices to ensure proper documentation.