If you’re a landlord seeking to evict a tenant, use a New Jersey (NJ) eviction notice to begin the process. Your eviction notice must be written according to New Jersey state law, and give your tenant the legally required amount of time to respond or move out.
In New Jersey, eviction lawsuits are governed by 2A:18-53 through 2A:18-84 of the New Jersey Statutes.
New Jersey Eviction Notices by Type
Download a free eviction notice customized for New Jersey state law below in MS Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF format.
30-Day Lease Termination: Use this notice to let a tenant know that you’re ending a month-to-month lease, and that they must prepare to leave your property. In New Jersey, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice to move out if they’re on a month-to-month lease.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
30-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease. In New Jersey, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice before the eviction process can proceed in court. In that time, tenants may have the option to fix (or “cure”) the problem.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
30-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they haven’t paid rent on time. In New Jersey, landlords must give tenants 30 days to pay rent if they’ve accepted late rent payments previously. This notice must be given before they can move forward with the eviction process.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
If you wish to send a letter simply reminding your tenant that rent is late (without threat of eviction), use a late rent notice.
New Jersey Eviction Laws & Requirements
- Eviction Law: NJSA 2A:18-53 – 2A:18-84
- Rent Grace Period: 5 days for senior citizens, none for other tenants. (§ 2A:42-6.1)
- Non-Payment of Rent: Immediate, or 30-day notice if the landlord has accepted late rent in the past. (§ 2A:18-61.2)
- Non-Compliance and Illegal Activity: 3 days (§ 2A:18-53(c))
- Termination of a Month-to-Month Lease: 30 days (§ 2A: 18-56)
What is the Eviction Process in New Jersey?
Here are the four steps you must take to serve an eviction notice to your tenant in New Jersey.
Step 1: Deliver a Notice to Quit
The landlord begins the eviction process by serving the proper eviction notice to the tenant. There are multiple grounds for an eviction, but the main reasons are when a tenant hasn’t paid rent or time or has violated part of the lease agreement. Having written notification will provide proof that you informed the tenant of the issue, and further protect you if the eviction reaches court.
Step 2: File a Complaint and Summons
If the tenant doesn’t correct their violation or leave the property within the given timeframe, the landlord must go to the Special Civil Part Clerk office. There, the landlord files a Complaint and Summons, and pays a fee for the eviction.
Step 3: Wait for the Court to Serve the Tenant
The court serves the tenant the summons, and lets both the landlord and tenant know when to appear in court.
Step 4: Take Back the Property
If the landlord wins the eviction lawsuit in court, then they’ll receive a Judgment for Possession. This allows the landlord to apply for a Warrant for Possession, which legally permits the sheriff to remove the tenant from the property.
Related Court Forms
Tenancy Summons and Return of Service: This form is filed by the landlord to request the eviction of their tenant, and the return of their property.
Download: PDF
Verified Complaint Nonpayment of Rent: The official complaint form to file when the tenant stops paying rent.
Download: PDF
Notice to Residential Tenants of Rights During Foreclosure: An official notice given to tenants when the rental property goes into foreclosure. It informs them of their rights and about what to expect during the foreclosure process.
Download: PDF
Eviction Information for New Jersey Landlords and Tenants
Landlords
Landlords have rights in the eviction process, but they also have to follow certain protocols, which include:
- Explaining the reason for the eviction, found in the Grounds for Eviction handbook.
- Including the date of eviction in the notice.
- Providing the tenant with the right number of days to move out or fix the contract breach, if applicable.
- Going through the New Jersey court system.
Tenants
New Jersey provides guidance and resources for tenants facing eviction, which includes the following:
- Eviction Relocation Assistance Regulation
- Protections against lease termination due to illness, accident or death
- New Jersey Tenant’s Rights Handbook
Check out this Landlord/Tenant FAQ for more information.
