Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2746: Establishes four-year "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" in Department of Community Affairs.

S 2746 establishes a 4-year "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" in New Jersey, enabling low-income tenants in subsidized housing (renting units funded by state or federal aid) to build credit history through rent payment reporting. Participating landlords voluntarily report tenants' rent payments (including timely, late, or missed payments) to credit bureaus, with tenants paying a maximum $10 monthly fee for this service. Tenants may join or leave the program anytime but cannot rejoin for six months after opting out. The Department of Community Affairs will review the program after two years to assess participation, tenant demographics, credit impacts, and cost, then recommend whether to continue it.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables low-income tenants in subsidized housing to build credit via rent reporting, strengthening tenant financial inclusion and protection through voluntary landlord participation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3062: Allows for the establishment of "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program" in each county; requires portion of administrative fee for residential mortgage execution sales fund program.

This bill creates a program to provide legal assistance for low-income renters in landlord-tenant disputes. It requires counties to establish a "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program Fund" by diverting $300 from each residential mortgage execution sale fee (over $3.00) collected by county sheriffs. The funds must be used exclusively for legal representation in civil landlord-tenant cases, not for general county budgets. Counties may choose to establish the program, and if they do not, they must promote existing legal aid services through public awareness campaigns. The bill is pending legislative action as of its introduction date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects mortgage sale fees to fund tenant legal aid program, creating dedicated funding for low-income renters' civil cases, aligning with public service funding indicators.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates mandatory legal aid fund for low-income tenants in landlord-tenant disputes, directly strengthening tenant protections as defined in housing topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2025: Increases gross income tax relief based on rent constituting property taxes for residential tenants and establishes refundable gross income tax credit in place of gross income tax deduction for residential tenants.

This bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey renters who use their rental unit as their primary residence. It replaces an existing tax deduction with a direct credit equal to 30% of rent paid for residential rental property (capped at $15,000 annually), effectively reducing the renter's tax bill dollar-for-dollar. The credit applies to tenants in standard rental units (not condos, co-ops, or manufactured homes in parks), targeting those whose rent includes property taxes. This policy directly benefits low-to-moderate income renters by providing immediate tax relief instead of a future deduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit (30% rent, capped $15k) for renters, directly reducing tax burden. Targets middle-income residential tenants, aligning with tax relief indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates refundable tax credit for renters (30% of rent, capped at $15k), directly reducing tax burden and increasing housing affordability for residential tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 391: Revises "Homelessness Prevention Program"; requires new charge for filing of eviction action.

This bill revises New Jersey's Homelessness Prevention Program to add a new requirement: landlords must pay a fee when filing eviction cases related to unpaid rent. It sets strict eligibility rules for assistance, requiring applicants to be New Jersey residents facing imminent homelessness due to eviction, foreclosure, or inability to pay rent/mortgage, with income capped at 80% of area median income. The program prioritizes vulnerable groups like seniors (62+), people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, and families with children facing separation. Assistance for mortgage issues must be for owner-occupied homes owned for at least one year, and applicants must exhaust other financial resources before qualifying. The bill does not change existing program funding but establishes new administrative criteria for aid distribution.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Homelessness Prevention Program with strict eligibility for eviction-related assistance, prioritizing vulnerable groups to prevent homelessness. Landlord fee for eviction filings protects tenants and addresses housing instability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Homeownership Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 452: Establishes Statewide limitation on rent increases.

S 452 would limit annual rent increases to 5% plus the local cost-of-living change (or 10% maximum) for most rental units in New Jersey. It affects landlords and tenants in standard residential leases, but excludes affordable housing units, new constructions (within 15 years), single-family homes owned by individuals (not corporations), and duplexes where the landlord resides. The cap applies only to future rent increases, not current rates, and tenants could challenge violations through existing tenant protection laws. The bill does not alter current rent levels or apply to exempt properties like dormitories or government-subsidized housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits rent increases to 5% + COLA (max 10%) for standard leases, directly protecting tenants from excessive hikes, excluding already protected units like affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2958: The "Safeguarding Livable Units through Municipal Landlord Oversight and Regulation by DCA" or "SLUMLORD Act"; strengthens habitability protections for residential tenants; appropriates $5 million.

S 2958, the "SLUMLORD Act," strengthens tenant protections by requiring landlords managing multiple residential units to designate a "Principal Agent" (a contact person for habitability complaints) and imposing stricter enforcement for repeated safety issues. It defines "severe habitability violations" as more than 10 total violations across properties or 3 for a single unit after notice, triggering mandatory action. The bill appropriates $5 million to fund a new enforcement program under the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to address these violations. This directly affects landlords with multiple rental properties, tenants in those units, and municipalities responsible for oversight.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections via Principal Agents and $5M enforcement funding, advancing tenant rights in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 413: Extends protected tenancy period for certain tenants who are senior citizens and certain tenants with disabilities.

This bill (S 413) extends the protected tenancy period for qualifying senior citizens (62+ years) and disabled tenants in New Jersey when their rental buildings convert to condos or cooperatives. It changes the previous 40-year protection to a full lifetime of the tenant, preventing forced evictions due to building conversions. Tenants must have lived in the unit for at least one year before conversion and meet income or disability criteria (e.g., medically determined disability or 60% veterans' disability rating). The law applies specifically to buildings converting from rental use, ensuring these tenants can remain in their homes without rent hikes tied to the conversion.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends lifetime tenancy protection for seniors/disabled tenants during condo/co-op conversions, preventing forced evictions and strengthening tenant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2670: Prohibits electric, gas, or water public utility service discontinuances to residential customers during certain epidemics.

This bill prohibits electric, gas, and water utilities from disconnecting service to residential customers (including renters in multi-unit buildings) for nonpayment during a declared epidemic. It requires utilities to resume service as soon as possible to customers disconnected before the epidemic, unless a "public utility emergency" (like a safety threat) occurs. The ban ends when the Governor officially declares the public health emergency and state of emergency no longer exist. Customers remain liable for unpaid bills once the epidemic ends, but cannot face disconnection during the emergency period.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents utility disconnections for residential tenants during epidemics, directly protecting housing stability and tenant rights during public health crises.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3031: Establishes certain notice and compensation requirements for residential tenant displaced for purpose of renovation.

S 3031 requires landlords in New Jersey to compensate residential tenants $12 times their monthly rent plus the cost of a moving truck/van if tenants are displaced for renovation or construction work. It applies when landlords: (1) give written notice for renovation, (2) file court action claiming renovation purposes, or (3) displace tenants for personal occupancy while promising renovation (or completing it within 6 months). Landlords must pay this compensation 5 days before move-out (for notice/eviction cases) or within 5 days of displacement (for occupancy cases), with 18% interest accruing if delayed. Unpaid amounts become a priority lien on the property after 30 days, recorded with the county clerk.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to compensate tenants displaced for renovations, strengthening tenant protections in housing policy as specified in bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 222: Enhances penalties upon corporate violators of housing codes.

This bill increases penalties for corporations violating housing codes in New Jersey. It raises fines for corporations to up to three times the standard maximum (capped at $10,000), allows courts to request the Attorney General to dissolve corporations or revoke charters for repeated violations, and requires a 30-day cure period for owners facing fines over $1,250. The bill also strengthens repeat offender penalties by mandating additional fines for violations within one year of a previous fine. It directly affects corporations operating in housing, not individual residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases corporate penalties for housing code violations, strengthening enforcement and tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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