How a rent arrears notice period is counted
United States landlord-tenant law does not use the Korean style test of "arrears equal to two or three months of rent". Here the trigger is procedural: the landlord serves a notice to pay rent or quit, and the tenancy can only be terminated after that notice period runs out. This tool converts the balance owed into months of rent and counts the notice period to the last day the tenant can cure.
Notice lengths are set by state statute, not by federal law. California requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit under Cal. Civ. Proc. Code §1161(2), Texas requires a 3-day notice to vacate under Tex. Prop. Code §24.005 unless the lease sets a different period, and Massachusetts allows 14 days under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §§11-12. Figures reflect statutes in force as of September 2026, so confirm the current rule and any local ordinance for your city. The calculator counts the day of service as day zero and treats the last day of the notice period as the deadline; some states extend a deadline that falls on a weekend or court holiday, and some require extra days when the notice is mailed.
Reaching the deadline does not end a tenancy by itself. In every state the landlord must still file an eviction case and obtain a judgment, and rules on partial payments, retaliation and rent escrow vary widely. This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney or your local legal aid office about your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
In most states the notice period starts the day after service, which is the convention used here. Mailed notices often add extra days, so check the statute that applies to your notice.
Many states let a tenant cure by paying the full amount before the notice expires, and some allow payment even later. Whether a partial payment waives the notice is a state-specific question.