California Tenant Question Library
What Is a Notice to Perform Covenants or Quit?
Short answer
It's a type of 3-day notice for a lease violation other than unpaid rent — it asks you to fix the problem (perform) or move out (quit).
Not every 3-day notice is about rent. A Notice to Perform Covenants or Quit — sometimes called a "Cure or Quit" notice — is used when a landlord claims a tenant has violated a lease term other than paying rent, such as an unauthorized pet or occupant.
For violations that can be fixed, it gives the tenant three days (excluding weekends and judicial holidays) to correct the problem or move out (Code of Civil Procedure §1161(3)). Knowing which kind of notice you have matters, because they don't all work the same way.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
- Some lease violations can be fixed ("cured"); others — like serious or repeated violations — may not offer a chance to fix them.
- For fixable violations, correcting the problem within the deadline can save the tenancy (Code of Civil Procedure §1161(3)).
- Different notice types work differently — identifying yours is the first step.
The Tool for This Moment
Identify the Notice You Have
The California Tenant Rapid Response System helps you identify what kind of notice you've received and what it's asking.