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New Jersey Notice to Cease

In New Jersey, most lease-violation evictions require a written Notice to Cease first. If the conduct continues after it, the landlord can serve a Notice to Quit.

N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1Grounds (b), (d), (e), (j)Specific factsFree PDF

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Not legal advice. A self-help tool, not a law firm. Full disclaimer below the form.

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Not legal advice. LandlordSquare is a self-help document tool, not a law firm. Using it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and we don't guarantee that any notice is legally sufficient for your situation. Laws change. You are responsible for checking the current law, your lease and local rules, and for serving the notice correctly. When in doubt, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

When you need one

New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) lists the only reasons a residential tenant can be evicted. Four of them require a written Notice to Cease first:

  • (b) Disorderly conduct that destroys the peace and quiet of other occupants or the neighborhood.
  • (d) Substantial violation of the landlord's reasonable written rules and regulations.
  • (e)(1) Substantial breach of a reasonable lease covenant where the lease reserves a right of re-entry.
  • (j) Habitual failure to pay rent on time.

If the tenant continues after the Notice to Cease, the next step is a Notice to Quit: 3 days for disorderly conduct, one month for the others (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2).

Write it in detail

The NJ DCA eviction bulletin says each cause other than nonpayment must be described in detail. Give dates, times and what happened. For habitual late payment, list each month, the due date and the date paid.

Who is covered

The Act applies to most residential rentals but not to owner-occupied premises with two or fewer rental units (and some other exceptions in the statute).

How to serve it

The statute's service rules for notices to quit are a good standard here too: hand it to the tenant, leave it at the tenant's home with a family member over 14, or send it by certified mail (and by regular mail if the certified letter isn't claimed). The PDF includes a Record of Service page.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Notice to Cease in New Jersey?

A written warning that tells the tenant to stop a specific violation. For grounds (b), (d), (e) and (j) of N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, the landlord must serve it before a Notice to Quit.

How many days does a Notice to Cease give?

The statute sets no waiting period for the Notice to Cease itself. If the conduct continues afterward, the Notice to Quit period is 3 days (disorderly conduct) or one month (rules, lease covenants, habitual late payment).

Do I need a Notice to Cease for nonpayment of rent?

No. NJ does not require a notice before filing for nonpayment (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2). Habitual late payment is a different ground that does need one.

Related notices

Sources

Statute text read on October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the source before relying on it.