New Jersey Eviction Notice for Unpaid Rent

What New Jersey law says

• NJ DCA bulletin: a Notice to Quit is required for all good cause evictions, except for an eviction for nonpayment of rent (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1).
• The bulletin says the landlord is not required to give the tenant notice before filing an eviction suit for nonpayment.
• Exception: in federally subsidized housing, a 14-day notice must be given before filing a suit for eviction.
• For habitual late payment, the bulletin lists a written Notice to Cease, then a Notice to Quit served at least one month before filing (ground j).

Steps for a landlord

• Confirm the tenancy is not federally subsidized housing.
• If it is federally subsidized, give the 14-day notice before filing.
• Review the good cause grounds in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 before filing.
• Keep records of the rent due and unpaid for the court case.

What to put in the notice

• The names of the tenants and the address of the rental
• The amount of rent owed and the rental period it covers
• The number of days the tenant has to pay or move out, and the date that period ends
• The date, how the notice was delivered, and who delivered it
• Your name and contact details, with your signature

Things to watch

• The bulletin does not say how a nonpayment notice must be delivered or what it must contain.
• Local ordinances and subsidy program rules may add requirements; check the statute or a local attorney.
• Cities and counties can add their own rules, including rent control and extra notice requirements. Check your local rules too.

About this page

We checked this page against the official sources listed below in November 2026. Where an official page did not say something, we say so. Laws change and courts read them differently, so confirm the current rule with the statute, the court or a local attorney before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.