Sample Notices Regarding Failure to Pay Rent
Note: This document provides samples of notices to be provided to tenants who have failed
to pay their rent. It is important for each supportive housing provider to have all such
notices reviewed by legal counsel prior to use.
Sample Initial Notice of Failure to Pay Rent
This letter should be used to remind tenant that rent is overdue. This letter should be delivered
promptly (ideally between the 6
th
and 10
th
day of the month) when a tenant has missed a payment, so
the overdue amount is minimized. Please note that this notice has no legal impact and is produced
as a courtesy to tenant.
NOTICE OF FAILURE TO PAY RENT
To:
Date:
Dear Tenant:
This letter is to remind you that your rent is due and payable on the 1st day of each month, and late
if paid after the 5th day of the month. To date, we have not received your full monthly rent
payment.
Please understand that failure to pay rent is the most frequent cause for tenants to lose their
housing, and we are concerned about the balance due from you.
Presently, you have an amount due of $________________________. Please pay this amount
immediately. If you need assistance, please visit with our staff in the Support Services offices, or
with the building manager immediately to see if you are eligible for a payment plan. If you are not
eligible, you may still qualify for outside assistance that may ensure your timely rent payment.
Sincerely,
Building Manager
Cc: Tenant Services
Tenant File
_____________________
Note: This document is included within the Housing Operations section of CSH’s Toolkit for Developing and Operating
Supportive Housing, which is available at www.csh.org/toolkit2
. This document has been adapted from CSH’s
Supportive Housing Property Management Operations Manual, which is available at www.csh.org/publications
.
Corporation for Supportive Housing:
Sample Notices Regarding Failure to Pay Rent March 2006 1
Corporation for Supportive Housing:
Sample Notices Regarding Failure to Pay Rent March 2006 2
Sample Final Notice of Failure to Pay Rent
Like the initial Notice of Failure to Pay Rent, this document is intended as a reminder to tenant that
his or her housing is in jeopardy. This document has no legal impact but should be given to tenant
as a courtesy.
FINAL NOTICE OF FAILURE TO PAY RENT
PRIOR TO LEGAL ACTION
To:
Date:
Dear Tenant:
This letter is to inform you that you have failed to pay rent in a timely manner for the unit you rent
from our organization. Continued failure to pay the rent due or arrange for a payment plan (if
eligible) will cause the organization to pursue legal action to reclaim possession of the rental unit.
We urge you to visit immediately with the Support Services staff and the building manager to
arrange for a payment plan or to seek guidance in identifying agencies that may assist you with your
rent payment.
If you fail to comply with rent payment requirements, the next notice you receive from us will be a
3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, and failure to comply with that notice will result in immediate
legal action to terminate your tenancy.
Please contact your building manager or Support Services staff immediately to resolve this issue.
Sincerely,
Building Manager
Cc: Tenant Services
Tenant File
Corporation for Supportive Housing:
Sample Notices Regarding Failure to Pay Rent March 2006 3
Sample Three Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
This document notifies the tenant that the owner intends to file a summons and complaint if tenant
does not pay overdue rent within three days. Note that the format and time limitations for this
notice will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. All supportive housing providers should work with
their attorneys to create legal notices. While this notice can be used to start a legal process, it does
not do so automatically. If tenant comes forward with a payment plan at this point, it can still be
accepted and owner will avoid court costs and the loss of a tenant.
THREE DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
TO: ________________________________________________, and to all other persons and
occupants in possession:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that rent is now due and payable on the premises held and
occupied by you, being those premises situated in the City and County of _____, State of _____,
commonly known as [insert address of property, # _________].
Your account is delinquent in the amount of $_____________ being the rent for the periods:
FROM THROUGH AMOUNT
YOU ARE HEREBY required to pay said rent in full within three (3) days or remove and deliver
up possession of the above-mentioned premises, or legal proceedings will be instituted against you
to recover possession of said premises, to declare forfeiture of the lease or rental agreement under
which you occupy said premises, and to recover rents and damages together with court costs and
attorney’s fees.
AS REQUIRED by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your
credit history may be submitted to a credit reporting agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your
credit obligations.
PAYMENTS must be made to Owner/Agent at the following address: [insert address of property],
Manager’s Office, City, State, Zip code.
The telephone number for the above address is [insert phone # of Mgr.’s office].
Corporation for Supportive Housing:
Sample Notices Regarding Failure to Pay Rent March 2006 4
PAYMENTS MADE IN PERSON may be delivered to Owner/Agent between the hours of 9:00
AM and 5:00 PM on the following days of the week: Monday through Friday.
ADVICE regarding this notice is available from [Insert name of agency able to assist tenant.]
THIS NOTICE COMPLIES with City Administrative Code [citation] in that the tenants have
failed to pay the rent to which the landlord is lawfully entitled under the rental agreement between
the tenants and the landlord.
DATED: __________________________ ________________________________
[insert building manager name]
Property Manager or Owner
[insert Landlord organization name],
