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Early Lease Termination Laws in New York

In New York, a domestic violence victim can end a lease with at least 30 days' written notice, state law extends lease termination to people on state active duty, tenants 62 or older or with a disability can end a lease when moving to qualifying care or housing, and a landlord must try to re-rent at fair market value.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

New York at a glance

Domestic violence victims
Yes, at least 30 days' notice
Documentation such as an order of protection or a qualified third party statement is due within 25 days of the notice.
State military protection
Yes, covers state active duty
Military Law 310 lets a person entering military service end a lease, and military service includes state active duty ordered by the governor.
Senior, disability or medical
Yes, age 62 or older or disability
Covers a move to an adult care or health care facility, subsidized low income housing or senior or disability housing, or (for seniors certified as unable to live independently) to a family member's home.
Landlord must re-rent
Yes, by statute since 2019
The landlord must take reasonable and customary actions to re-rent at fair market value or the lease rate, whichever is lower.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in New York

Can domestic violence or sexual assault victims end a lease early in New York?

Yes, at least 30 days' notice. Domestic violence victims in New York: yes, at least 30 days' notice. Documentation such as an order of protection or a qualified third party statement is due within 25 days of the notice.

Does New York law add early lease termination rights for service members beyond the federal SCRA?

Yes, covers state active duty. State military protection in New York: yes, covers state active duty. Military Law 310 lets a person entering military service end a lease, and military service includes state active duty ordered by the governor.

Can seniors or tenants with a disability or medical need end a lease early in New York?

Yes, age 62 or older or disability. Senior, disability or medical in New York: yes, age 62 or older or disability. Covers a move to an adult care or health care facility, subsidized low income housing or senior or disability housing, or (for seniors certified as unable to live independently) to a family member's home.

Does a landlord in New York have to try to re-rent the unit after a tenant leaves early?

Yes, by statute since 2019. Landlord must re-rent in New York: yes, by statute since 2019. The landlord must take reasonable and customary actions to re-rent at fair market value or the lease rate, whichever is lower.

Where do the New York early lease termination laws come from?

The rules above come from N.Y. Real Prop. Law 227-c, N.Y. Mil. Law 310, N.Y. Mil. Law 301, N.Y. Real Prop. Law 227-a and N.Y. Real Prop. Law 227-e. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

For leases with monthly rent, a senior or military termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following notice.

What this means in practice

Read the lease first. Many leases contain an early termination clause, a buyout fee or a sublease option that may be easier to use than a statutory right. A statutory right usually applies even if the lease says nothing about it, and a lease generally cannot waive it.

Statutory early termination rights usually come with conditions. Common ones are written notice to the landlord, a minimum notice period, and proof such as a protective order, police report, military orders or a doctor's statement. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and method of delivery.

If you leave without a statutory right, you may still owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends. Where a landlord has a duty to mitigate, it must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and the amount you owe is reduced by rent the landlord collects or reasonably could have collected. Returning keys and documenting the condition of the unit can help limit disputes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.