New York Lease Termination Notice Template [Free Download]

> Important: this is a general template, not legal advice. A lease termination notice is strictly regulated in New York; the wrong form, period, or service method can delay or void your case. It reflects New York law researched as of July 31, 2026. Confirm local rules and have it reviewed by an attorney licensed in New York before serving.

This template is a New York-specific lease termination notice, free to download and edit, reflecting New York law researched as of July 31, 2026. Lease termination notices in New York are strictly regulated, and local rules may add requirements beyond state law. Confirm the notice period and form requirements with an attorney licensed in New York before serving any notice.

How much notice New York requires to end a month-to-month tenancy

New York Real Property Law sec. 226-c sets a tiered advance written notice schedule for ending a market-rate month-to-month tenancy or refusing to renew one. The required notice period depends on how long the tenant has occupied the unit:

• Under one year of occupancy: at least 30 days of advance written notice
• One to two years of occupancy: at least 60 days of advance written notice
• Two or more years of occupancy: at least 90 days of advance written notice

Notice must be in writing in all cases. For New York City landlords, N.Y. Real Prop. Law sec. 232-a now directs landlords to follow the sec. 226-c periods. N.Y. Real Prop. Law sec. 232-b was narrowed by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act so it no longer sets the residential landlord notice period.

The notice period is calculated from the date the tenant receives the notice, not the date it is sent. Serving notice too late will delay the termination date, which means the tenancy continues until a compliant notice period runs out.

Just cause and local rules in New York

New York does not have a universal statewide just cause eviction law. A statewide Good Cause Eviction law was enacted under N.Y. Real Prop. Law Article 6-A, sections 210 through 217, and became effective April 20, 2024. However, that law applies automatically only in New York City. Outside New York City, it applies only in localities that have affirmatively opted in.

In practice, this means a landlord outside New York City in a locality that has not opted in is not required by state law to show good cause before terminating a month-to-month tenancy or declining to renew a lease. Landlords and tenants should check whether the relevant municipality has opted in.

Rent-regulated units, including apartments subject to rent stabilization or rent control, are exempt from the Good Cause Eviction law. Those units are governed by their own rules, which are separate from this template.

N.Y. Real Prop. Law sec. 231-c requires landlords to provide a good-cause coverage notice with leases and renewals. That notice informs tenants whether the unit is covered by the Good Cause Eviction law. Landlords should confirm whether that disclosure applies to their tenancy.

What is included in this template

• Blank fields for landlord name, address, and contact information
• Blank fields for tenant name and rental property address
• A date field for the notice date
• A termination date field calculated to reflect the required notice period
• A plain statement that the tenancy will end on the stated date
• Optional field for the reason for termination
• Signature line for the landlord or authorized agent
• A proof-of-service section to document how the notice was delivered

How to use it

1. Confirm the required notice period. Look up how long the tenant has occupied the unit. Match that occupancy length to the correct tier under N.Y. Real Prop. Law sec. 226-c: 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days. Count forward from the planned delivery date to set a valid termination date.
2. Check for local Good Cause Eviction coverage. If the property is in New York City or a locality that has opted into N.Y. Real Prop. Law Article 6-A, confirm whether the tenancy is covered. If the unit is rent-regulated, consult the rules that apply to that unit type instead.
3. Fill in the template. Enter all required information. Do not leave the termination date blank. Double-check that the termination date falls on the last day of a rental period where required.
4. Serve the notice properly. New York has specific rules for how a notice must be delivered. Common methods include personal delivery and certified mail. Consult an attorney licensed in New York to confirm the correct method for your situation.
5. Document delivery. Complete the proof-of-service section after the notice is delivered. Keep a copy of the completed notice and any delivery confirmation for your records.

Frequently asked questions

Does the notice period depend on the length of the lease or the length of occupancy?
The tiered schedule in N.Y. Real Prop. Law sec. 226-c is based on how long the tenant has occupied the unit, not on the term of any written lease. A tenant who has lived in the unit for more than two years is entitled to 90 days of notice regardless of what the lease originally said.

Can a landlord outside New York City give less notice than the sec. 226-c tiers require?
No. N.Y. Real Prop. Law sec. 226-c is a statewide minimum. Local law or a lease may require more notice, but no landlord may give less than the statute requires.

Does Good Cause Eviction apply to a market-rate unit in a city other than New York City?
Only if that city or town has opted into N.Y. Real Prop. Law Article 6-A, sections 210 through 217. The law is not automatic outside New York City. Check whether the relevant locality has adopted the law.

Is a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment covered by this template?
No. This template is designed for market-rate tenancies. Rent-regulated units are exempt from the Good Cause Eviction law and are governed by separate rules. Landlords with rent-regulated units should consult the applicable regulatory framework and an attorney.

What is the good-cause coverage notice required by sec. 231-c?
N.Y. Real Prop. Law sec. 231-c requires landlords to include a notice with leases and renewals disclosing whether the unit is covered by the Good Cause Eviction law. This is a separate disclosure requirement from the termination notice. Failure to provide it may have legal consequences. Review that requirement with an attorney.

Can a landlord use this template to end a fixed-term lease early?
This template is designed for month-to-month tenancies. Ending a fixed-term lease before its expiration date raises different legal issues, including potential breach of contract. Consult an attorney licensed in New York before attempting to terminate a fixed-term lease early.

All New York rental templates

• New York Eviction Notice
• New York Rent Increase Notice
• New York Residential Lease Agreement

Lease termination notice templates in other states

• Texas Lease Termination Notice
• Florida Lease Termination Notice
• Pennsylvania Lease Termination Notice
• California Lease Termination Notice

Or browse lease termination notice templates for all 50 states and D.C..

New York sources and statutes

• RPAPL 711 (14-day rent demand), NY Senate: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPA/711
• RPAPL 735 (service methods), NY Senate: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPA/735
• RPAPL 753 (post-judgment 30-day cure stay), NY Senate: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPA/753
• RPL 226-c (tiered 30/60/90 notice), NY: https://newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._real_property_law_section_226-c
• Good Cause Eviction overview, NYC HPD: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/good-cause-eviction.page