Pennsylvania 10-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit

10-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT — COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Pursuant to 68 P.S. § 250.501(b) — The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951

1. PARTIES AND PREMISES

2. NOTICE OF DEFAULT — UNPAID RENT

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that you are in default under the lease for the above-referenced premises in that you have failed to pay rent that is now due and owing. The unpaid balance as of the date of this notice is itemized as follows:

3. DEMAND — PAY OR QUIT WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS

YOU ARE HEREBY REQUIRED to either:

☐ (A) PAY the total past-due rent of $[____] in full, in cash, certified funds, or other method acceptable to the Landlord, on or before 11:59 p.m. on [__/__/____] (a date not less than ten (10) days after service of this notice); OR

☐ (B) QUIT and deliver up possession of the above-referenced premises to the Landlord on or before the same date, removing yourself, your household, and all of your personal property.

Payment must be tendered to:

4. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO COMPLY

If you fail to pay the past-due rent OR vacate the premises by the deadline above, the Landlord intends, without further notice, to:

• File a Landlord/Tenant Complaint at the Magisterial District Court (or, in Philadelphia, the Municipal Court Landlord-Tenant Division) under Pa. R.C.P.M.D.J. 503 to recover possession of the premises;
• Seek a money judgment for all unpaid rent, late fees, court costs, and any other amounts permitted under the lease and Pennsylvania law; and
• Pursue all other remedies available at law or equity, including but not limited to attorneys' fees if provided in the lease.

This notice does not waive any other rights or remedies of the Landlord under the lease or Pennsylvania law. Acceptance of any partial payment shall not waive this notice unless the Landlord expressly agrees in writing.

5. PHILADELPHIA TENANTS — ADDITIONAL NOTICE OF DIVERSION RIGHTS

If the leased premises are located in Philadelphia, you are advised that the City of Philadelphia operates the Eviction Diversion Program under Phila. Code § 9-811. Before filing an eviction in court, the Landlord is required to:

• Provide you with a separate Notice of Diversion Rights;
• Apply to and enroll in the Eviction Diversion Program; and
• Participate in good faith for not less than thirty (30) days.

You may participate in the Program free of charge. Information is available at eviction-diversion.phila.gov or by calling (215) 686-7686. Free legal counsel may be available; call the Philadelphia Tenant Helpline at (267) 443-2500.

6. TENANT RIGHTS — GENERAL

You may have legal defenses to nonpayment, including but not limited to:

• Breach of the implied warranty of habitability (Pugh v. Holmes, 486 Pa. 272 (1979));
• Defective notice (improper amount, premature filing, or improper service);
• Improper application of payments or accounting errors;
• Retaliation prohibited by local ordinance;
• Discrimination prohibited by the PA Human Relations Act, the Federal Fair Housing Act, or local ordinance;
• Setoff of an unreturned security deposit (68 P.S. § 250.512).

You are encouraged to consult an attorney. Free or reduced-cost legal services may be available through:

• PA Legal Aid Network: palawhelp.org · (800) 322-7572
• Community Legal Services of Philadelphia: clsphila.org · (215) 981-3700
• Neighborhood Legal Services (Western PA): nlsa.us · (412) 255-6700
• MidPenn Legal Services (Central PA): midpenn.org · (800) 326-9177

7. SIGNATURE OF LANDLORD/AGENT

I certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, that I am the Landlord or duly authorized agent of the Landlord, and that I am serving this notice pursuant to 68 P.S. § 250.501(b).

8. PROOF OF SERVICE

I, the undersigned, certify under penalty of unsworn falsification to authorities (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904) that on [__/__/____] at approximately [__:__ ☐ a.m. ☐ p.m.], I served this Notice on the Tenant(s) named above by the following method (check all that apply):

☐ Personal delivery to the Tenant at the leased premises;
☐ Personal delivery to an adult member of the Tenant's household at the leased premises (name: [____]);
☐ Posting in a conspicuous place on the leased premises (e.g., the front entry door);
☐ First-class U.S. mail addressed to Tenant at the leased premises;
☐ Certified U.S. mail, return receipt requested, tracking no. [____];
☐ Other (describe): [____].

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• 68 P.S. § 250.501 — Notice to quit (10-day for nonpayment).
• 68 P.S. § 250.501(c) — Service of notice.
• 68 P.S. § 250.512 — Security deposit.
• Pugh v. Holmes, 486 Pa. 272, 405 A.2d 897 (1979) — Implied warranty of habitability.
• Pa. R.C.P.M.D.J. 503 — Form of Landlord/Tenant Complaint.
• Phila. Code §§ 9-804, 9-811 — Good Cause Eviction & Eviction Diversion.
• AOPC Form MDJS 310A — Landlord/Tenant Complaint.
• Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights.