Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Re: Pay or quit notice

You have an obligation to pay rent so long as you continue to live in the property. If you do not pay the rent, the landlord can sue to evict you. An eviction lawsuit and a judgment can be very damaging to your credit rating.

The subject of your question is a little confusing. I can't tell if you received a notice to pay rent or quit because you aren't paying you rent or if it just a notict to quit because they just want you out of the unit.