A landlord should talk to the tenant if at all possible to see if suitable arrangements can be made for the payment of rent. If arrangements cannot be made then the landlord can give the tenant a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. This notice gives the tenant 3 days to pay the rent. You count the days beginning the day after the tenant is served with the notice. The landlord should keep the original notice. If the tenant fails to pay within the 3 days, the landlord can file an Unlawful Detainer complaint (or eviction) against the tenant in Superior Court.