New Jersey Eviction Notice Template (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1)
Before a landlord can file an eviction case, most states require a written notice that tells the tenant what is wrong and how long they have to fix it or move out. Answer the questions below to create a clear, professional notice — then check it against your state and local rules before you serve it.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone for the tenant to reach you]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
and all other occupants of
[Rental property address]
Re: [Type of notice] — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at [Rental property address]. Type of notice: [Type of notice].
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within [Notice period in days] days after this notice is delivered to you, you must [What the tenant must do within that time]. If this notice is delivered to you on October 15, 2026, that period ends on October 15, 2026.
This notice is given under the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, which permits eviction of a residential tenant only for the reasons it lists and only by order of the Superior Court.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
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How eviction notices work in New Jersey
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act allows a residential tenant to be evicted only for one of the specific reasons listed in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1. For nonpayment of rent, state law does not require a notice to quit before filing, so there is no fixed statewide notice period. For lease violations, the landlord usually must first give a notice to cease, then a notice to quit, often one month long.
Because the required notices depend on the reason, the landlord should match each notice to the specific cause in the statute. Every cause other than nonpayment must be described in detail in a written notice to quit. A notice to cease, which warns the tenant to stop the conduct, must give a reasonable time to comply. Tenants in federally subsidized housing must receive a 14-day notice before a nonpayment case is filed.
Only the Superior Court, Special Civil Part, can order an eviction. The landlord files a complaint, court staff help the parties try to settle, and a warrant of removal can be issued only after a judgment for possession. The tenant then has three business days after the warrant is served before a Special Civil Part officer carries out the eviction. New Jersey prohibits lockouts, utility shutoffs, and holding a tenant's belongings to force a move.
What to do, step by step
Check your state and local rules first
Look up the notice period, required wording and delivery method for your state, county and city. Many places set different periods for unpaid rent, lease violations and ending a tenancy, and some cities add their own just-cause rules.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Name every adult tenant on the lease, state the facts plainly and enter the exact number of days your rules require.
Serve it the way your state requires
States specify how a notice must be delivered — commonly hand delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, posting and mailing, or certified mail. A notice served the wrong way may have to be redone.
Record how and when you served it
Write down the date, time, method and who delivered it, and keep a copy of the notice. Courts often ask for this proof of service.
Wait out the full notice period
Don't change the locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities. If the tenant fixes the problem, accept it as your rules require; if not, the next step is filing an eviction case in court.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the notice?
An eviction notice is not an eviction. It is the written warning most states require before you can go to court. If the notice period ends and the tenant hasn't paid, fixed the violation or moved out, the next step is to file an eviction case — often called an unlawful detainer or summary possession case — with your local court.
Until a judge rules in your favor and a court officer such as a sheriff or marshal carries out the order, the tenant has the right to stay. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, cutting off utilities or otherwise forcing them out is a so-called self-help eviction, which is illegal in nearly every state and can expose you to damages.
Courts look closely at the notice itself. If the period was too short, the wording missed something your state requires or it was delivered the wrong way, the case can be dismissed and you may have to start over. Your local court's self-help center or a landlord association can tell you what your court expects.
Example New Jersey eviction notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Greenway Rentals LLC
PO Box 2210, Lakeview, MN 55401 · (555) 201-4478
October 5, 2026
To: Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks
and all other occupants of
56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Dear Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks,
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Rent of $1,450 for the month of September 2026, due on September 1, 2026, has not been paid, despite a reminder sent by email on September 10.
The total amount of rent now due is $1,450.00.
Within 14 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must pay the full amount of rent owed or move out of the property. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on October 19, 2026.
This notice is given under the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, which permits eviction of a residential tenant only for the reasons it lists and only by order of the Superior Court.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Greenway Rentals LLC
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
Does a New Jersey landlord have to give notice before filing for unpaid rent?
State law does not require a notice to quit before filing a nonpayment case. Tenants in federally subsidized housing must first receive a 14-day notice. Many landlords still send a written rent demand first, which gives the tenant a clear chance to pay and creates a record.
How does a lease-violation eviction work in New Jersey?
For most violations, the landlord first serves a written notice to cease, warning the tenant to stop. If the tenant continues to substantially violate the lease or written rules, the landlord serves a notice to quit at least one month before filing. Disorderly conduct and serious damage to the property call for a 3-day notice to quit.
Can a New Jersey landlord end a month-to-month tenancy without a reason?
Generally no. Most residential tenants, including month-to-month tenants, are protected by the Anti-Eviction Act and can only be removed for a listed cause. Owner-occupied buildings with no more than two rental units are a common exception, though those tenants also can be removed only by court order.
Where can a New Jersey tenant or landlord get help?
The New Jersey Courts website has landlord/tenant self-help guides and forms, and the Department of Community Affairs publishes the Truth in Renting guide. When both sides attend court, trained court staff work with them to try to settle the case before trial.
How much notice do I have to give a tenant?
It depends on your state, sometimes your city, the type of notice and the lease. Periods for unpaid rent can be as short as a few days or as long as a month, and notices ending a month-to-month tenancy are often 30 days or more. Check your state's landlord-tenant law and any local ordinance before serving.
Is an eviction notice the same as being evicted?
No. A notice only starts the process. If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord must file a case in court and win a judgment. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff, marshal or similar officer, can legally remove a tenant from the property.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.