What a notice to cure does
A notice to cure identifies the lease clause being violated, describes the facts, and gives a deadline to fix it. If the tenant doesn't cure, the lease usually lets the landlord serve a notice of termination and then start a holdover case.
How long to give
New York statutes don't set one cure period for every lease; it usually comes from the lease itself, and rent-regulated units have their own rules. For units covered by the Good Cause Eviction Law, the good-cause ground for a lease violation requires that the tenant "failed to cure the violation after written notice that the violation must cease within 10 days of receipt" (as reproduced in RPL § 231-c from § 216). The generator won't let you set fewer than 10 days for a covered unit.
Write the facts
Be specific: dates, what was seen, by whom, and which lease paragraph. Vague notices are a common reason cases are dismissed.
How to deliver it
Follow your lease's notice clause. If it is silent, deliver it personally or by the RPAPL § 735 methods so you can prove service. Keep photos and records of the violation.
Check with an attorney: lease-violation cases are technical. Have a lawyer confirm the cure period and the next notice before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is a notice to cure in NY?
It depends on your lease (and regulations for rent-regulated units). For Good Cause covered units, at least 10 days from receipt is required for the lease-violation ground.
What happens after the cure period?
If the tenant hasn't cured, the landlord may serve a notice of termination as the lease allows and then start a holdover proceeding. An attorney should handle that step.
Related notices
Sources
- N.Y. Real Property Law § 231-c (Good Cause Eviction Law notice)
- N.Y. Real Property Law § 216 (good cause grounds)
- N.Y. RPAPL § 735 (manner of service)
- NY Courts: Landlord and Tenant forms
Statute text read on October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the source before relying on it.