Violations, entry & non-renewal
How much notice does a landlord need to give to not renew a lease?
Updated · By the Landlord Notice Mail team
Check your lease, your state statute and any just-cause law. New York requires written notice of non-renewal (or of a renewal with a rent increase of 5% or more) at least 30 days ahead if the tenant has lived there under a year, 60 days for one to two years, and 90 days for two years or more.
In some places you need a legal reason not to renew: California's Tenant Protection Act generally requires just cause after 12 months of occupancy, and New York's good cause eviction law covers many units.
| Tenancy (longer of occupancy or lease term) | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 30 days |
| 1 to 2 years | 60 days |
| 2 years or more | 90 days |
What to include
- Tenant names, unit and the lease end date.
- A clear statement that the lease will not be renewed (or the renewal terms and new rent).
- The move-out date and how keys and the deposit will be handled.
- Any reason or statement that a just-cause or good cause law requires.
Mail early and keep proof
Notice periods are minimums. Mail the notice early enough that it arrives before the deadline, and use Certified Mail with return receipt so you can prove the date if the tenant claims they never got it.
Quick answers
Does a non-renewal notice have to be in writing?
In New York, yes. Elsewhere, the lease usually requires writing, and writing is the only way to prove it.
Is non-renewal the same as ending a month-to-month tenancy?
Related but separate. See month-to-month termination notice.
Does a rent increase need the same notice?
In New York, a renewal offer with an increase of 5% or more needs the same 30, 60 or 90 days. See rent increase notices.
What to do next
Send a lease non-renewal notice by Certified Mail with return receipt ($17.99), or on the $29/month Landlord plan with 5 certified notices included.
Send a non-renewal noticeSources
- New York Real Property Law 226-c
- California Courts: Types of eviction notices (Tenant Protection Act)
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.