In an eviction procedure for nonpayment of rent, what is the first step that a landlord should take?

In an eviction procedure for nonpayment of rent, the initial step a landlord must take is to provide the tenant with a five-day notice to quit. This notice serves as a formal communication informing the tenant of the outstanding rent and giving them a specified timeframe to either pay the owed rent or vacate the premises. This step is essential as it adheres to the legal requirements of the eviction process and provides the tenant with an opportunity to remedy the situation before further legal action is initiated.

Filing a forcible entry and detainer is a step that occurs after the notice period has lapsed without the tenant resolving the issue. Forcibly removing a tenant from the property without following the proper legal channels can lead to significant legal repercussions for the landlord. Additionally, a 10-day notice to quit is not applicable in this scenario, as the appropriate timeframe for nonpayment of rent eviction procedures is generally five days.