Cal. Civ. Code § 225
Notice of action adverse to possession of tenant
Operative Text
§ 225. Notice of action adverse to possession of tenant. Where a process or summons in an action to recover the real property occupied by him, or the possession thereof, is served upon a tenant, he must forthwith give notice thereof to his landlord; otherwise he forfeits the value of three years' rent of such property, to the landlord or other person of whom he holds.
Under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 225, when a tenant is served with legal process—such as a summons in a lawsuit seeking to recover the real property the tenant occupies—the tenant is required to promptly notify the landlord of that service. Failure to give that notice triggers a statutory forfeiture equal to three years' rent, payable to the landlord or the person from whom the tenant holds the property. The rule essentially creates a duty of immediate communication running from the tenant to the landlord whenever the tenant's possession is legally challenged by a third party.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 225, compliant property owners and managers generally stay informed about whether any third-party legal action has been initiated that could affect a tenant's right to remain in possession of the premises. Because the statute entitles the landlord to a forfeiture of three years' rent if the tenant fails to provide prompt notice of such service, operators typically document their lease terms and communication channels so that any notice the tenant does provide can be received and recorded promptly. Maintaining clear written communication protocols with tenants helps ensure that a landlord is not left unaware of litigation that could affect title or possession of the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 225 establishes that a tenant who is served with a summons or other legal process in an action to recover the property they occupy must notify their landlord right away. If a tenant does not provide that notice promptly, the statute exposes them to a forfeiture claim worth up to three years' rent. Tenants who receive such legal process and have questions about their obligations under § 225 may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the general scope of this notice duty and available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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