Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

It means that you owe back rent, and you have three days from the date you received the notice in which to pay the amount demanded. If you don't do so in that short time, an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit will be filed against you and the landlord could have you evicted after receiving a judgment.

You have three days to pay the rent demanded in the notice OR to move out in those three days. The landlord can serve a 3-day notice to pay or quit when rent is past due. If you pay full the amount requested in the notice within the three days the landlord must accept it and your tenancy continues. If you fail to pay in full within the three days and fail to move in the three days thenlandlord can file an eviction lawsuit (unlawful detainer) against you. If the landlord wins the unlawful detainer he can have the sheriff lock you out. There are defenses to such a suit. You should contact a tenant's attorney as soon as you can.