California Late Rent Notice
A free California late rent notice that follows California law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.
What California law says
| Late fees | No statutory dollar cap or grace period. Late fees in residential leases are treated as liquidated damages, which are void unless it would be impracticable or extremely difficult to fix the landlord's actual damages and the amount is a reasonable estimate of them. Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1671(c)(2), (d) |
|---|---|
| Notice for unpaid rent | 3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. It may be served any time within one year after the rent becomes due. Source: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2) |
Fill in your letter
Nothing you type leaves your browser. Replace anything still highlighted. If a lease, city rule or court form requires different wording, that controls.
To: [tenant name(s)]
Premises: [rental address]
Rent of $[rent amount] for [rental period] was due on [due date] and has not been received.
Under your lease, a late fee of $[late fee] applies. California limits on late fees: Cal. Civ. Code § 1671(c)(2), (d).
Total now due: $[total due]. Please pay by [date] to [payment method].
This is a reminder, not an eviction notice. Before filing an eviction case, a landlord must give the separate notice California law requires.
Date: [today's date]
Landlord or agent: [your name]
Signature: ____________________
How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.
Late Rent Notice templates for other states · All California landlord-tenant rules · Free legal help in California
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.