Florida 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate — Template

INFORMATIONAL ONLY — NOT LEGAL ADVICE. This template is for general reference. Florida landlord-tenant law is governed primarily by Florida Statutes Chapter 83. Have any notice reviewed by a Florida-licensed attorney before serving it. Florida Statutes §83.56(3) requires a landlord to deliver a written 3-business-day notice to pay rent or vacate before filing for eviction for non-payment. The 3-day period excludes Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays — making this a business-days count, not calendar days. This distinction matters and is one of the most common sources of error in Florida eviction cases.

Original Message

You owe rent and have not paid. Pay up or you need to leave. This is your 3 day notice.

Professional Version

THREE-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR VACATE

Date: [DATE]

To: [TENANT FULL NAME(S)]
Premises: [FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS], [CITY], Florida [ZIP CODE]

You are hereby notified that you are indebted to the landlord for rent in the amount of $[AMOUNT DUE] for the above-described premises, covering the rental period of [PERIOD].

You are required, within THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays) from the date of delivery of this notice, to either:
1. Pay the rent in full; or
2. Vacate the premises.

If you fail to pay the rent or vacate the premises within the required time, the landlord will pursue the remedies available under Florida law.

[LANDLORD / AUTHORIZED AGENT NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

— INFORMATIONAL TEMPLATE. NOT LEGAL ADVICE. See Florida Statutes §83.56(3). Consult a Florida-licensed attorney.

Polite Version

THREE-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR VACATE

Date: [DATE]

To: [TENANT FULL NAME(S)]
Premises: [FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS], [CITY], Florida [ZIP CODE]

This notice is to inform you that rent in the amount of $[AMOUNT DUE] for the above premises, due on [DUE DATE], remains unpaid.

Florida law requires that I provide you this notice. You have three (3) business days — excluding Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays — from delivery of this notice to either pay the rent in full or vacate the premises.

If you believe there is an error, or if payment has recently been sent, please contact us immediately.

Sincerely,
[LANDLORD / AUTHORIZED AGENT NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

— INFORMATIONAL TEMPLATE. NOT LEGAL ADVICE.

Firm Version

THREE-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR VACATE

Date: [DATE]

TO: [TENANT FULL NAME(S)]
PREMISES: [FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS], [CITY], Florida [ZIP CODE]

PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES §83.56(3), NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that you are required to pay rent in the amount of $[AMOUNT DUE] within THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays) from delivery of this notice, or to vacate and surrender possession of the above premises.

FAILURE TO COMPLY will result in the commencement of eviction proceedings under Florida law.

[LANDLORD / AUTHORIZED AGENT NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

— INFORMATIONAL TEMPLATE. NOT LEGAL ADVICE.

When to Use This Template

  • When a Florida residential tenant has failed to pay rent and you need to begin the eviction process
  • BEFORE filing an eviction complaint in county court — this notice is a mandatory prerequisite under Florida Statutes §83.56(3)
  • Note that the period is 3 BUSINESS DAYS, not 3 calendar days — Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays do not count toward the period
  • ⚠️ REQUIRES LEGAL REVIEW: Acceptable delivery methods — confirm whether personal delivery, posting, or certified mail satisfies the requirement in your county
  • ⚠️ REQUIRES LEGAL REVIEW: Whether your county or municipality has any local ordinances modifying the notice requirements
  • ⚠️ REQUIRES LEGAL REVIEW: Whether your lease contains any provisions that modify the statutory notice requirement

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Counting calendar days instead of business days: Florida Statutes §83.56(3) specifies business days — excluding Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays. A landlord who counts calendar days may serve the eviction notice prematurely, which can result in dismissal of the case.
Including charges other than rent in the notice: The 3-day notice should demand only unpaid rent, not late fees or other charges. Including non-rent amounts may invalidate the notice.
Not keeping proof of delivery: Florida courts require evidence that the notice was properly delivered. Keep a record of how and when the notice was served — ideally with a signed acknowledgment, certified mail receipt, or a witness to posting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statutory basis for Florida's 3-day notice?

Florida Statutes §83.56(3) requires the landlord to give the tenant written notice and provide three business days (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays) to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for eviction.

Are Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded from the 3-day count in Florida?

Yes. The Florida statute explicitly excludes Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays from the count. This is one of the most common points of confusion and error in Florida eviction cases. Always count business days only.

What happens if the tenant pays within the 3 business days?

If the tenant pays the full amount of rent demanded within the notice period, the landlord must accept it and cannot proceed with eviction based on that notice. The tenancy continues.