New Jersey Notice Requirements to Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy

It is easy for landlords and tenants to end a month-to-month tenancy in New Jersey. (The situation is more complicated when it comes to breaking a fixed-term lease.)

Notice Requirements for New Jersey Landlords

In New Jersey, landlords must have a just cause to terminate a tenancy, and must provide at least one month's notice and specify the date on which your tenancy will end.

Your landlord may legally provide less notice in specific circumstances--for example, if you have not paid rent, if you have violated other terms of your rental agreement (for example, bringing in an unauthorized tenant), or if you have violated basic responsibilities imposed by law (such as by dealing drugs on the rental property). Depending on your property, rent control rules may also apply.

Notice Requirements for New Jersey Tenants

It is equally easy for tenants in New Jersey to get out of a month-to-month rental agreement. You must provide the same amount of notice (one month) as the landlord (unless your rental agreement provides for a shorter amount of notice). Be sure to check your rental agreement which may require that your notice to end the tenancy be given on the first of the month or on another specific date.

In some situations, you may be able to move out with less (or no) notice—for example, if your landlord seriously violates the rental agreement or fails to fulfill legal responsibilities affecting your health or safety.

New Jersey State Law and Resources on Terminating a Month-to-Month Tenancy

Check New Jersey state law (N.J. Stat. Ann. § § 2A:18-56, 2A:18-61.1) for the exact rules and procedures for how landlords must prepare and serve termination notices and for any special rules regarding how tenants must provide notice. See the Laws and Legal Research section of Nolo for advice on finding and reading statutes and court decisions.

The state guide to tenants' rights (see Tenants' Rights in New Jersey) may also have useful information on how month-to-month tenancies end.