General information, not legal advice. This template is a starting point. Laws differ by state and city, so have a licensed attorney review your final document before you use it.
Last reviewed
The short version
- A free New York edition of our lease termination letter template, as a PDF to print and a Word file to edit.
- To end a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord gives 30, 60 or 90 days of written notice depending on how long the tenant has lived there.
- A landlord who will not renew must give 30, 60 or 90 days of written notice depending on how long the tenant has lived there, and in places covered by the Good Cause Eviction Law the landlord also needs a lawful reason not to renew.
- A tenant entering military service, or getting orders to move, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders.
- Have a New York attorney review your final version before you use it.
A written notice that ends a tenancy, with one version for landlords and one for tenants, plus move-out and deposit details and a proof of delivery. This edition fills in the New York rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.
New York rules for this form
Month-to-month notice. To end a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord gives 30, 60 or 90 days of written notice depending on how long the tenant has lived there. (Real Property Law (month-to-month tenancies, as amended in 2019))
Ending a tenancy without cause. A landlord who will not renew must give 30, 60 or 90 days of written notice depending on how long the tenant has lived there, and in places covered by the Good Cause Eviction Law the landlord also needs a lawful reason not to renew. (Real Property Law section 226-c and Article 6-A (Good Cause Eviction Law))
Military service. A tenant entering military service, or getting orders to move, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and New York Military Law)
Domestic violence survivors. A survivor of domestic violence who fears staying can end the lease with written notice of a date at least 30 days away, then provide documentation such as an order of protection within 25 days. (Real Property Law section 227-c)
Unlivable conditions. When serious conditions make the home unlivable, a tenant may have claims for rent reduction or constructive eviction, usually decided by a court. (Real Property Law (warranty of habitability) and case law)
Landlord duty to re-rent. When a tenant leaves early, the landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent the unit at fair market value, which reduces what the tenant owes. (Real Property Law section 227-e)
Cities and counties in New York can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.
What is in the template
- Version A: landlord to tenant
- Proof of delivery
- Version B: tenant to landlord
Before you use it
- A termination letter ends a tenancy the normal way, such as at the end of a lease or with notice on a month-to-month tenancy.
- It is different from an eviction notice, which responds to unpaid rent or a lease violation.
- The notice period, delivery method and any required reason come from the lease and from state and local law.
- Keep a copy and proof of how and when you delivered it.
For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the lease termination letter.
Get the New York lease termination letter
Free, no sign up. Fill it in by hand or edit the Word file.
General template, not legal advice. Have a New York attorney review before use.
Verify current law
We last checked these New York rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a New York attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- Real Property Law (month-to-month tenancies, as amended in 2019)
- Real Property Law section 226-c and Article 6-A (Good Cause Eviction Law)
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and New York Military Law
- Real Property Law section 227-c
- Real Property Law (warranty of habitability) and case law
- Real Property Law section 227-e
Official sources
Goes with this form
Before you send it.
What does New York law say about month-to-month notice?
To end a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord gives 30, 60 or 90 days of written notice depending on how long the tenant has lived there. Source: Real Property Law (month-to-month tenancies, as amended in 2019).
What does New York law say about ending a tenancy without cause?
A landlord who will not renew must give 30, 60 or 90 days of written notice depending on how long the tenant has lived there, and in places covered by the Good Cause Eviction Law the landlord also needs a lawful reason not to renew. Source: Real Property Law section 226-c and Article 6-A (Good Cause Eviction Law).
What does New York law say about military service?
A tenant entering military service, or getting orders to move, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. Source: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and New York Military Law.
What does New York law say about domestic violence survivors?
A survivor of domestic violence who fears staying can end the lease with written notice of a date at least 30 days away, then provide documentation such as an order of protection within 25 days. Source: Real Property Law section 227-c.
What does New York law say about unlivable conditions?
When serious conditions make the home unlivable, a tenant may have claims for rent reduction or constructive eviction, usually decided by a court. Source: Real Property Law (warranty of habitability) and case law.