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New York Eviction Notice Templates: Free Forms (2026)

New York requires specific notice types depending on the eviction grounds. Using the wrong notice, wrong timeline, or wrong service method will get your case dismissed — and you start over from scratch.

Last updated: August 4, 2026. For informational purposes only — not legal advice.

Key Takeaways

  • New York has 4 main eviction notice types — 14-Day Demand for Rent, 30/60/90-Day Termination, Notice to Cure, and Good Cause Non-Renewal
  • Wrong notice = case dismissed. Using the wrong notice type is the most common reason New York eviction cases get thrown out
  • Termination notice period depends on tenancy length: 30 days (under 1 year), 60 days (1–2 years), 90 days (2+ years)
  • Good Cause non-renewal notices must state the specific reason (RPL §226-c) for buildings with 10+ units
  • Service method matters. Personal, substituted + mail, or conspicuous place + mail only — no email or text

Which Notice Do You Need?

Situation Notice Type Period
Tenant owes rent14-Day Demand for Rent14 days
End month-to-month (under 1 year)30-Day Termination30 days
End month-to-month (1–2 years)60-Day Termination60 days
End month-to-month (2+ years)90-Day Termination90 days
Lease violation (curable)Notice to Cure10 days (typical)
Non-renewal (10+ unit building, covered tenant)Good Cause Non-Renewal30–90 days

Critical Warning

Self-help eviction is ALWAYS illegal in New York. You cannot change locks, shut off utilities, remove tenant belongings, or physically remove a tenant yourself. This is a Class A misdemeanor with criminal penalties plus civil liability. The only lawful path is through the court system.

4 New York Eviction Notice Templates

1. Fourteen-Day Demand for Rent (Nonpayment)

Required before filing a nonpayment petition. Per RPAPL §711(2) and HSTPA.

FOURTEEN-DAY DEMAND FOR RENT Pursuant to RPAPL Section 711(2) Date: [DATE OF NOTICE] To: [TENANT NAME(S)] Property Address: [FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS INCLUDING UNIT NUMBER] DEMAND IS HEREBY MADE that you pay the rent due and owing for the above-described premises as follows: RENT OWED (Itemized by Month): [MONTH/YEAR]: $[AMOUNT] [MONTH/YEAR]: $[AMOUNT] [MONTH/YEAR]: $[AMOUNT] TOTAL RENT DUE: $[TOTAL AMOUNT] You are hereby required to pay the total rent of $[TOTAL AMOUNT] within FOURTEEN (14) days of service of this notice. PAYMENT MAY BE MADE: In person at: [ADDRESS WHERE PAYMENT CAN BE MADE] By mail to: [MAILING ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT] Payment methods accepted: [CHECK / MONEY ORDER / CASHIER’S CHECK / ELECTRONIC TRANSFER] IF YOU FAIL to pay the full rent owed within FOURTEEN (14) days of service of this notice, the landlord may commence a summary proceeding in court to recover possession of the premises and a money judgment for the rent owed. This notice is a demand for rent only. It is not a notice of termination and does not terminate your tenancy. Sincerely, ____________________________ [LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER NAME] [PHONE NUMBER] [EMAIL ADDRESS] ____________________________ Date PROOF OF SERVICE I served this notice on [DATE] by [METHOD OF SERVICE] upon [TENANT NAME].

Do NOT include late fees, utility charges, or any amount other than base rent. The 14-day demand must specify only rent owed. Including other charges may invalidate the demand and any subsequent nonpayment petition. Itemize by month and verify the exact amounts.

2. Thirty-Day Notice of Termination (Month-to-Month)

For month-to-month tenancies of less than one year. Per RPL §232-a. Use 60-day for 1–2 year tenancies, 90-day for 2+ year tenancies.

THIRTY-DAY NOTICE OF TERMINATION Pursuant to Real Property Law Section 232-a Date: [DATE OF NOTICE] To: [TENANT NAME(S)] Property Address: [FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS INCLUDING UNIT NUMBER] NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned landlord hereby terminates your month-to-month tenancy of the above-described premises. Your tenancy will terminate on [DATE — at least 30 days from service], and you are required to vacate and surrender possession of the premises on or before that date. TENANCY LENGTH: Your tenancy began on [START DATE] and has been in effect for less than one (1) year, entitling you to thirty (30) days’ notice pursuant to Real Property Law Section 232-a, as amended by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019. IF YOU FAIL to vacate and surrender possession of the premises on or before [TERMINATION DATE], the landlord may commence a holdover proceeding in court to recover possession. Sincerely, ____________________________ [LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER NAME] [PHONE NUMBER] [EMAIL ADDRESS] ____________________________ Date PROOF OF SERVICE I served this notice on [DATE] by [METHOD OF SERVICE] upon [TENANT NAME].

Check tenancy length carefully. If the tenancy has been in effect for 1–2 years, you must use a 60-day notice. If 2+ years, a 90-day notice. Using the wrong notice period will get your case dismissed. Also check whether Good Cause Eviction applies (10+ unit buildings) — if so, you may not be able to terminate without cause.

3. Notice to Cure (Lease Violation)

For curable lease violations such as unauthorized pets, noise, or unauthorized occupants. Typically 10-day cure period.

NOTICE TO CURE Lease Violation Date: [DATE OF NOTICE] To: [TENANT NAME(S)] Property Address: [FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS INCLUDING UNIT NUMBER] NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that you are in violation of your lease agreement dated [LEASE DATE] for the above-described premises. DESCRIPTION OF VIOLATION: [DESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC VIOLATION IN DETAIL. Be factual and precise. Example: “You are maintaining a dog (approximately 50 lbs, black Labrador mix) on the premises in violation of Section [X] of your lease agreement, which prohibits pets without prior written consent of the landlord. No such consent has been given.”] LEASE PROVISION VIOLATED: Section [X] of the lease agreement states: “[QUOTE THE EXACT LEASE LANGUAGE]” CURE REQUIRED: [DESCRIBE EXACTLY WHAT THE TENANT MUST DO TO CURE THE VIOLATION. Example: “Remove the dog from the premises permanently within ten (10) days of service of this notice.”] You are hereby required to cure the above-described violation within TEN (10) days of service of this notice. IF YOU FAIL to cure the violation within TEN (10) days of service of this notice, the landlord may serve a Notice of Termination and thereafter commence a holdover proceeding in court to recover possession of the premises. Sincerely, ____________________________ [LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER NAME] [PHONE NUMBER] [EMAIL ADDRESS] ____________________________ Date PROOF OF SERVICE I served this notice on [DATE] by [METHOD OF SERVICE] upon [TENANT NAME].

A Notice to Cure is not a termination notice. If the tenant does not cure the violation within the cure period, you must then serve a separate Notice of Termination before filing a holdover petition. Skipping this step will result in dismissal.

4. Good Cause Notice of Non-Renewal

For non-renewal of a covered tenant in a building with 10+ units. Must state the specific reason per RPL §226-c. Notice period matches tenancy length (30/60/90 days).

NOTICE OF NON-RENEWAL — GOOD CAUSE Pursuant to Real Property Law Section 226-c Date: [DATE OF NOTICE] To: [TENANT NAME(S)] Property Address: [FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS INCLUDING UNIT NUMBER] NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned landlord will not be renewing your lease for the above-described premises, which is currently set to expire on [LEASE EXPIRATION DATE]. GOOD CAUSE FOR NON-RENEWAL: [STATE THE SPECIFIC GOOD CAUSE REASON. Must be one of the enumerated grounds under RPL Section 226-c. Examples:] [OPTION A — Personal Use:] “The landlord intends to occupy the unit as a primary residence for the landlord or an immediate family member.” [OPTION B — Substantial Violation:] “You have committed a substantial violation of the terms of the tenancy, specifically: [DESCRIBE VIOLATION IN DETAIL].” [OPTION C — Nuisance:] “Your conduct has created a nuisance that substantially interferes with the comfort and safety of other tenants or neighbors, specifically: [DESCRIBE NUISANCE IN DETAIL].” [OPTION D — Withdrawal/Renovation:] “The landlord intends to withdraw the unit from the rental market / undertake substantial renovation requiring the unit to be vacated, as evidenced by [DESCRIBE PERMITS OR PLANS].” NOTICE PERIOD: Your tenancy has been in effect for [DURATION]. Pursuant to RPL Section 232-a, you are entitled to [30/60/90] days’ notice. Your tenancy will terminate on [TERMINATION DATE]. You are required to vacate and surrender possession of the premises on or before [TERMINATION DATE]. IF YOU BELIEVE this non-renewal is not based on good cause as defined by RPL Section 226-c, you may raise this as a defense in any subsequent court proceeding. Sincerely, ____________________________ [LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER NAME] [PHONE NUMBER] [EMAIL ADDRESS] ____________________________ Date PROOF OF SERVICE I served this notice on [DATE] by [METHOD OF SERVICE] upon [TENANT NAME].

Good Cause non-renewal notices MUST state the specific reason. A generic “your lease will not be renewed” notice is insufficient for covered tenants. The reason must be one of the enumerated grounds under RPL §226-c. Consult an attorney if you are unsure whether Good Cause applies to your property.

How to Serve the Notice

New York law recognizes three methods of serving an eviction notice. The method you use must be documented in an affidavit of service filed with the court.

1. Personal Service (Best Method)

Hand the notice directly to the tenant. This is the strongest method and the hardest for a tenant to dispute. Have a witness present or use a process server who can provide an affidavit of service.

2. Substituted Service + Mail

If personal service fails after reasonable attempts, leave the notice with a person of suitable age and discretion at the tenant’s residence or place of business, AND mail a copy to the tenant’s address by regular mail within one day. Both steps are required.

3. Conspicuous Place + Mail (Last Resort)

Only if personal and substituted service have both failed after diligent attempts. Affix a copy to the door or other conspicuous place at the property, AND mail a copy by regular mail within one day. Document your prior failed attempts at personal and substituted service.

Email and text are NOT valid service methods in New York. A notice served only by electronic means will be treated as if it was never served. You must use one of the three methods above and document the service with an affidavit.

Good Cause Non-Renewal Requirements

If your building has 10 or more residential units, the 2024 Good Cause Eviction law (RPL §226-c) requires you to offer a lease renewal unless you have a legally recognized reason not to. Simply letting a lease expire is no longer sufficient for covered tenants.

Notice Must State the Cause

Unlike a standard termination notice, a Good Cause non-renewal notice must explicitly state the reason for non-renewal. A generic notice that simply says “your lease will not be renewed” is insufficient and will be challenged.

Exemptions

Buildings with fewer than 10 units, owner-occupied 1–3 family homes, units renting above 245% of HUD Fair Market Rent, rent-stabilized or rent-controlled units, and tenants still within their first lease term are all exempt from Good Cause requirements.

5 Common Notice Mistakes in New York

  1. Skipping the 14-day demand for rent. HSTPA requires a written demand at least 14 days before filing a nonpayment petition. Filing without this demand results in immediate dismissal.
  2. Wrong termination notice period. Using a 30-day notice when the tenant has lived there 2+ years (requires 90 days). Always calculate from the tenancy start date, not the current lease start.
  3. Not stating cause for Good Cause non-renewal. For covered tenants in 10+ unit buildings, the notice must explicitly state the reason. A generic non-renewal notice is challengeable.
  4. Invalid service method. Serving by email, text, or regular mail alone is not valid. You must use personal service, substituted + mail, or conspicuous place + mail, and document it in an affidavit.
  5. Skipping the Notice to Cure before termination. For lease violations, you must serve a Notice to Cure first, then a separate Notice of Termination if the tenant does not cure. Jumping straight to termination gets your case dismissed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I serve a New York eviction notice by email or text?

No. New York law requires physical service of eviction notices. Email, text message, voicemail, and social media messages are not legally recognized service methods. The only acceptable methods are personal service, substituted service plus mail, or conspicuous place service plus mail. A notice served only by electronic means will be treated as if it was never served.

What is the difference between a Notice to Cure and a Notice of Termination?

A Notice to Cure gives the tenant a chance to fix a lease violation within a specified period (typically 10 days). It does not end the tenancy. If the tenant fails to cure, you then serve a separate Notice of Termination, which ends the tenancy and sets up the holdover proceeding. Both notices are required in sequence for curable lease violations — skipping either one will result in dismissal.

Do I need to state a reason for non-renewal in a termination notice?

If your building has 10 or more residential units and the tenant is covered by Good Cause Eviction (RPL §226-c), yes — you must state the specific reason for non-renewal. If your building is exempt (fewer than 10 units, owner-occupied 1–3 family, rent above 245% FMR), you do not need to state a reason in the standard termination notice, though it is best practice to do so.

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Written by Rachid Abadli

Rachid is the founder and CEO of LeaseBase. He writes about landlord-tenant law, compliance, and property management operations. This page covers New York eviction notices under RPAPL, RPL §226-c (Good Cause), and HSTPA (2019).

Disclaimer: The information and templates on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. While these templates include language derived from New York statutes, landlord-tenant law is complex and fact-specific. NYC, Westchester, Nassau, and other jurisdictions may impose additional requirements beyond state law. You should consult a qualified New York attorney before serving any legal notice. LeaseBase™ is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. Use of these templates is at your own risk.