Notice periods by ground
| Ground (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) | Notice to Cease first? | Notice to Quit period |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Nonpayment of rent | No | None required |
| (b) Disorderly conduct | Yes | 3 days |
| (c) Willful or grossly negligent damage | No | 3 days |
| (d) Violation of written rules | Yes | One month |
| (e)(1) Breach of lease covenant | Yes | One month |
| (j) Habitual late payment | Yes | One month |
| (l)(3) Owner of 3 units or fewer will occupy, or sale to an occupying buyer | No | Two months, and not before a written lease expires |
Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2. Other grounds (g, h, k and m through r) have different periods and conditions; they're not offered here, so use an attorney for them.
How we calculate the date
For one- and two-month notices, the generator ends the tenancy on the last day of a full rental period that starts on or after the day you serve. The NJ DCA bulletin notes that notices for rule violations "must be given on or before the start of a new month." For 3-day notices, the earliest filing date is the day after the third day.
State the cause in detail
The statute requires the notice to "specify in detail the cause of the termination of the tenancy." Include dates, facts, the rule or lease clause, and what continued after the Notice to Cease.
How to serve it
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2: personally to the tenant, or by leaving a copy at the tenant's usual place of abode with a family member above age 14, or by certified mail; if the certified letter isn't claimed, by regular mail. Serving a Notice to Quit does not by itself require the tenant to move; only a court judgment for possession does.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a notice to quit in NJ?
It depends on the ground: 3 days for disorderly conduct or damage, one month for rule violations, lease breaches and habitual late payment, two months for an owner of three units or fewer who will move in, and longer for some other grounds (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2).
Do I need a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent in NJ?
No. N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2 exempts nonpayment of rent. NJ DCA notes a 14-day notice is required in federally subsidized housing.
Can I serve a notice to quit by email or text?
The statute lists personal delivery, leaving it with a family member over 14 at the tenant's home, or certified mail (then regular mail if unclaimed). Email and text are not on that list.
Does the Anti-Eviction Act apply to my 2-family house?
Not if it is owner-occupied with two or fewer rental units. Check the exceptions in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1.
Related notices
Sources
- N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 (grounds for eviction)
- N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2 (notice periods, content and service)
- NJ DCA: Grounds for an Eviction bulletin
- NJ DCA: Truth in Renting guide
- NJ Courts: Landlord/Tenant self-help
Statute text read on October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the source before relying on it.