New Jersey Notice to Vacate

A legally compliant notice to vacate under New Jersey law, including N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56 (one month's notice for termination of month-to-month tenancy) and the Anti-Eviction Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq. (requiring "good cause" for eviction of most residential tenants). The notice must specify the reason for termination and the exact date by which the tenant must vacate. Landlords must serve notice in person or by certified mail (with follow-up regular mail if unclaimed) as provided by law.

This document provides forms for common grounds. Using an incorrect notice or failing to state good cause may invalidate the notice and prevent a judgment for possession., -

Notice Type Selection Guide

Select the applicable notice type before completing the form. Under the Anti-Eviction Act, a landlord generally may not terminate a residential tenancy without good cause as listed in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1.

> Important, computing deadlines and service: Notice periods are calculated from proper service. For month-to-month, the termination date must fall at the end of a rental period at least one month after receipt. Service rules are strict; retain proof., -

NOTICE TO VACATE ### (New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56 and Anti-Eviction Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.)

Date of Notice: [[Date of Notice]]

FROM (Landlord / Authorized Agent):
[[Landlord or Agent Full Legal Name]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[Landlord City]], New Jersey [[Landlord ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone Number]]
Email: [[Landlord Email Address]]

TO (Tenant / All Occupants):
[[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
AND ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS
of the premises located at:
[[Rental Property Full Address]]
[[City]], New Jersey [[ZIP Code]] (the "Premises")

RE: Tenancy at the Premises, [[Tenancy Type: month-to-month / fixed term / other]]

Tenancy Commencement Date (approximate): [[Tenancy Start Date]]

Monthly Rent Amount: $[[Monthly Rent Amount]], -

*(Select and complete ONLY the applicable section(s) below. Delete or strike sections that do not apply. The notice must state the specific cause with sufficient detail.)*, -

OPTION A, One-Month Notice of Termination of Month-to-Month Tenancy (Landlord) *(N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56; must be for good cause under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1)*, -

ONE-MONTH NOTICE TO QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56 and the Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1), your month-to-month tenancy of the Premises is hereby terminated for the following good cause:

Specific Good Cause (detail required):
[[Describe the exact statutory ground and facts, e.g., "Non-payment of rent in the amount of $[[Amount]] for the period [[dates]] after valid demand; or continued substantial breach of lease covenant after written notice to cease dated [[date]]; or conviction of drug offense on or near premises on [[date]]; or other good cause per N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 subsection [[letter]]."]]

Termination / Vacate Date: The tenancy is terminated effective at the end of the rental period falling at least one (1) month after proper receipt of this notice. You must vacate and surrender possession of the Premises no later than 11:59 p.m. on [[Termination Date, end of rental period, at least 1 month after receipt]].

On or before the Termination Date, please:

1. Remove all personal property and belongings from the Premises.

2. Return all keys, access devices, remote controls, and other means of entry to [[Landlord or Agent Name]] at [[Return Address or Method]].

3. Leave the Premises in broom-clean condition, free of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.

4. Provide a written forwarding address to [[Landlord or Agent]] for return of any security deposit.

5. Cancel or transfer all utilities in your name effective on or before the Termination Date.

Security Deposit: Your security deposit of $[[Security Deposit Amount]] is held in a separate interest-bearing account at [[Bank or Institution Name and Address]]. Per N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, the landlord must return the deposit (with interest) or provide an itemized statement of deductions within thirty (30) days after you vacate and provide a forwarding address.

If you fail to vacate by the Termination Date, the landlord will commence a summary dispossess action (eviction) in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Special Civil Part, seeking a judgment for possession and a warrant for removal. Self-help evictions (locks, utilities, property removal) are illegal., -

OPTION B, Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (Non-Payment) *(Good cause under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a))*, -

NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are in default for failure to pay rent due and owing for the Premises. Pursuant to applicable provisions under the Anti-Eviction Act and related statutes, the following rent is past due:

Itemized Rent Due:

Total Rent Due: $[[Total Rent Owed, rent only]]

You are hereby notified and demanded to do one of the following within the applicable notice period (typically three (3) business days after proper service, or as required by the lease and law for this ground):

1. PAY IN FULL the total rent due of $[[Total Rent Owed]] to [[Landlord / Agent Name]] at [[Payment Address or Instructions]].

2. VACATE AND SURRENDER possession of the Premises no later than 11:59 p.m. on [[Deadline Date, compute from service + notice period]].

Deadline to pay or vacate: [[Deadline Date]].

Payment of the full rent demanded within the period may cure the default for non-payment. Partial payments do not cure unless the landlord agrees in writing. If you neither pay nor vacate, the landlord will file for eviction.

Note: This demand is for rent only. Other charges are handled separately per the lease and law., -

OPTION C, Notice to Cure Lease Violation or Quit *(N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(b) or (c), material breach capable of cure)*, -

NOTICE TO CURE OR QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you have substantially violated or breached the lease or rules for the Premises. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, the following violation(s) has/have been identified:

Description of Violation(s):
[[Detailed factual description, dates observed, lease sections violated, prior notices, e.g. "Unauthorized occupants or pet in violation of Section [[X]] of the lease; noise/disturbance on [[dates]] after written notice to cease dated [[prior notice date]]."]]

Lease Provision(s) Violated: [[Cite specific lease section(s)]]

Date(s) of Violation: [[Dates]]

You are hereby notified and demanded to:

1. CURE THE VIOLATION completely by [[Specific cure actions required, e.g. "Remove the unauthorized pet and provide written confirmation and proof of re-homing by [[cure deadline]]"]].

Cure must be completed no later than [[Cure Deadline Date]]; OR

2. VACATE AND SURRENDER the Premises no later than 11:59 p.m. on [[Vacate Deadline]].

If the breach is cured within the period, the tenancy may continue. If not cured and you do not vacate, the landlord will proceed with eviction under the Anti-Eviction Act., -

OPTION D, Unconditional Quit Notice (Non-Curable or Repeated Violation) *(N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, e.g. repeated breach within 6 months, damage, criminal activity, etc.)*, -

UNCONDITIONAL QUIT NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you have engaged in conduct constituting good cause for termination without right to cure under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 [[specify subsection, e.g. (c), (d), (e)]].

Grounds:
[[Detailed description of repeated violation, damage, conviction, health/safety risk, or other enumerated cause. Include prior notice dates if required.]]

You are hereby notified that your tenancy is terminated and you must vacate and surrender possession of the Premises no later than 11:59 p.m. on [[Vacate Deadline Date]]. You have no right to cure this violation.

Failure to vacate will result in the landlord filing a complaint for possession in the appropriate court., -

OPTION E, Tenant Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy *(Tenant-initiated, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56)*, -

TENANT'S ONE-MONTH NOTICE TO QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that I, the undersigned Tenant, hereby terminate my month-to-month tenancy and will vacate the Premises effective at the end of the rental period at least one (1) month after proper delivery of this notice to the landlord.

Intended Vacate / Termination Date: [[Vacate Date, end of rental period, at least 1 month from delivery]]

I will:

1. Remove all personal property by the Vacate Date.

2. Return all keys and access devices to [[Landlord/Agent Name]] at [[Address]] by the Vacate Date.

3. Leave the Premises clean and in good condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted).

4. Provide forwarding address: [[Tenant Forwarding Address, City, NJ ZIP]]

All rent through the Vacate Date will be paid. I understand the security deposit will be accounted for per N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 within thirty (30) days after vacating and providing forwarding address., -

Signature Block

*(Complete for all notices)*

Signature of Sending Party:

_________________________________________
[[Sender Full Legal Name]]
[[Landlord / Agent / Tenant, Title or Capacity]]
[[Sender Mailing Address]]
[[City]], New Jersey [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Sender Phone]]
Email: [[Sender Email]]

Date Signed: [[Date Signed]], -

Service of Notice, Permitted Methods

New Jersey law requires proper service. Common authorized methods include:

1. Personal delivery to the tenant (or authorized person).

2. Leaving a copy at the residence with a family member or other person above the age of fourteen (14) years and mailing a copy.

3. Certified mail (return receipt requested preferred); if unclaimed, regular mail may be used as follow-up in some cases.

4. Other methods as authorized by court rule or statute for the specific proceeding.

> Best Practice: Use certified mail, return receipt requested, and retain the receipt and any signed card. Personal service with a witness or process server is strongest for court. Keep detailed records of date, time, method, and person who served., -

Certificate / Proof of Service

*(Complete the applicable certificate. Sign under penalty of perjury. Retain original.)*

Certificate A, Personal Delivery or Substituted Service

I, [[Server Full Name]], certify that on [[Date of Service]] at approximately [[Time]], I served the foregoing Notice to Vacate upon [[Tenant Full Name(s)]] at [[Property Address]], [[City]], New Jersey [[ZIP Code]]** by:

• [ ] Handing a copy directly to the recipient
• [ ] Leaving a copy with [[Name and relationship/age description]], a person of suitable age and discretion at the Premises, and mailing a copy to the Premises on [[Mail Date]]

The notice period begins upon proper service.

_________________________________________
Signature of Server
[[Server Full Name]]
[[Server Address]]
[[City]], NJ [[ZIP]]

Date: [[Date]], -

Certificate B, Certified / Regular Mail

I, [[Server Full Name]], certify that on [[Date of Mailing]], I mailed the foregoing Notice to Vacate to [[Tenant Name(s)]] at the Premises address by:

• [ ] Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested (Tracking [[Tracking Number]])
• [ ] Regular first-class mail (if certified unclaimed)

_________________________________________
Signature of Server

Date: [[Date]], -

Pre-Filing / Pre-Action Checklist

Complete before filing any court action:

1. Correct notice type and statutory ground selected and fully detailed with facts.

2. All required prior notices to cease (for breach grounds) were served and time to cure elapsed.

3. Notice served by a permitted method with proof retained.

4. Statutory notice period fully expired with no cure or payment (as applicable).

5. No self-help actions taken (locks changed, utilities shut off, property removed, harassment).

6. SCRA / military status verified if applicable.

7. No retaliation or fair housing violation present (tenant exercised protected rights, protected class status).

8. Security deposit accounting prepared per N.J.S.A. 46:8-19.

9. Venue and filing requirements confirmed for Superior Court, Special Civil Part., -

Statutory Quick Reference

Disclaimer and Sources

> Template, not professional legal advice. This template provides general guidance on New Jersey notice-to-vacate requirements as of June 2026. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed New Jersey attorney. Eviction procedures, notice periods, service rules, local ordinances, and court practices are subject to change. Verify all requirements with current statutes, court rules, and qualified counsel before use. This notice alone does not authorize removal; a court judgment and writ are required.

Sources (as of June 2026):

• N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56 (Proof of notice to quit prerequisite to judgment)
• N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 (Grounds for removal of tenants, Anti-Eviction Act)
• N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2 (Notice required; periods and service)
• N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 et seq. (Security deposits)
• N.J.S.A. 46:8-46 (Truth in Renting Act)
• N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. (Law Against Discrimination, source of income)
• New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and court resources on landlord-tenant matters, -

End of New Jersey Notice to Vacate