Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Utah
Pay to quit
How do i respond to a pay to quit? What do i need to include in my response?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Pay to quit
You need to respond to the Landlord (LL) before the expiration of the three days. If you want to avoid an eviction, you need to pay the amount due, even if you dispute it. Otherwise, at the end of the three days the LL can go to the Court and get an expedited procedure started whereby a lawsuit for eviction will require you to file an answer to the Complaint within 3 days or the Court will order you out of the property. Losing your job, medical bills, etc are not defenses to not paying the rent when due.
If you just need more time to get out, I suggest you meet with or call the LL and negotiate terms under which you will leave - usually that just means how long for you to get out.
Just cause you do move out, does not mean you will not owe for unpaid rent, etc.
Any communications with the LL should be confirmed with him in writing - even if only by email.