Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3515: Requires senior housing applications be made available by mail and email.

This bill requires housing providers of age-restricted senior units (for residents 55+) to provide application forms by mail or email upon a prospective resident's request. It directly affects seniors who face barriers with online applications or in-person submissions, ensuring they can access required forms in their preferred format. The key provision mandates that providers must send copies of all necessary forms via mail or email when requested, complying with federal fair housing rules for senior housing. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will create implementing rules, and the law takes effect two months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Housing

Tags Seniors

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3842: Provides for preservation bonus credit against affordable housing obligations to certain municipalities.

This bill adds a "preservation bonus credit" to New Jersey's affordable housing law, allowing municipalities to count existing affordable housing units toward their fair share obligation. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities required to meet affordable housing goals under the Fair Housing Act. The key provision lets municipalities earn credit for preserving affordable units in existing buildings (rather than building new ones), reducing the number of new units they must develop. This change simplifies compliance for municipalities with older affordable housing stock. The bill amends Section 11 of the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222) to include this credit mechanism.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 751: Establishes Statewide limitation on rent increases.

This bill would limit annual rent increases for most New Jersey rental units to 5% plus the local cost-of-living change (capped at 10% total). It directly affects landlords and tenants in standard residential properties across the state, excluding new constructions (within 15 years), affordable housing units, dormitories, and certain single-family homes. Key exemptions include properties with deed restrictions for low-income housing, university dorms, and duplexes where the landlord lives in one unit. The law would require landlords to comply with this cap for all rent increases after the initial lease, with tenants able to use violations as a defense in eviction cases.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 4106: Clarifies mortgage loans to mean loans made primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

This bill clarifies that a "mortgage loan" refers specifically to loans made primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, secured by residential properties (1-6 dwelling units). It directly affects homebuyers and renters with standard mortgages by exempting these loans from prepayment penalties, meaning borrowers can pay off their loans early without extra fees. The key mechanism updates the legal definition to ensure consumer loans (not commercial ones) cannot include prepayment penalties, while allowing such fees for commercial mortgage loans. This applies to all new mortgage loans entered into after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3194: Allows residents of certain Highlands municipalities to designate on gross income tax returns that a portion of gross income tax paid be returned to municipality of residence.

This bill creates the "NJ Highlands Tax Fairness Fund" to allow residents in eight specific municipalities (Bloomsbury, Byram, Califon, Glen Gardner, Kinnelon, Lebanon, Ringwood, and West Milford) to redirect 10% of their New Jersey gross income tax - after credits for taxes paid to other jurisdictions - to their local government. Funds collected through this designation must be used exclusively to reduce property tax levies for residents in those municipalities. The program ensures these funds are distributed proportionally based on contributions and count as additional state aid, separate from other funding streams. It applies only to municipalities where 95% or more of land lies within the Highlands preservation area.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3633: “Justin Christian El-Abiad, Robert E. Dwight, Jr., Raquan Ellis, Zahir Atkins, and Sebastien Manzalaoui Act"; revises window guard requirements in certain residential rental units and multiple dwellings.

This bill revises window guard requirements for residential rental units and apartment buildings in New Jersey. It requires landlords to install and maintain approved window guards on windows in units where children 13 years or younger, or people with disabilities, reside or spend significant time. Key changes include expanding the age limit from 10 to 13 years, adding disability protections, mandating audible alerts (chimes) on guards, and specifying that guards must prevent openings larger than 4 inches. The bill also clarifies that rigid window stops cannot replace compliant guards and establishes different notification rules for condo communities versus standard rental buildings.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4475: Lowers age of eligibility for surviving spouse under homestead property tax reimbursement program from 65 to 62 years of age.

This bill lowers the minimum age for surviving spouses to qualify for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program from 65 to 62 years old. It directly affects surviving spouses of eligible homeowners who were previously ineligible until age 65, allowing them to claim the benefit earlier. The change applies to any tax year for which reimbursement is sought, without altering other requirements like income limits or residency rules. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1997, c.348) to update the age eligibility threshold.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4483: “Justin Christian El-Abiad, Robert E. Dwight, Jr., Raquan Ellis, Zahir Atkins, and Sebastien Manzalaoui Act"; revises window guard requirements in certain residential rental units and multiple dwellings.

This bill revises New Jersey's window guard requirements for residential rental units and multiple dwellings. It expands the protected group to include children under 13 (previously 10) and persons with disabilities, requiring window guards on windows in units where these individuals reside or are regularly present. Key provisions mandate that window guards must prevent falls by limiting space between the guard and window to less than four inches, include sound features like chimes, and prohibit rigid metal stops as a safety method. Landlords must install and maintain compliant guards upon tenant request, with specific notice requirements for common interest communities (like condos) to their associations. The law updates technical specifications for installation and design to enhance safety for vulnerable occupants.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 939: Establishes grant program for homeless veterans shelters.

This bill creates a grant program to help homeless veterans in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties by funding the development of shelters. Counties must apply for grants by proposing specific locations and offering property for the state to build and operate shelters. Grants are available only if the legislature appropriates funds and are awarded based on criteria set by the state's Adjutant General. The program aims to improve access to shelter services for homeless veterans who face geographic barriers in southern New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4444: Concerns exemptions to municipal rent control and rent leveling ordinances.

This bill clarifies rules for exemptions from municipal rent control in New Jersey. It specifies that only the original developer who built new rental units with initial mortgage financing can claim an exemption, and only if filed before construction completion. The exemption period is limited to the initial mortgage term, and subsequent owners cannot restart the exemption if the original filing wasn't made. This directly affects developers, landlords of new multi-dwelling properties, and municipalities enforcing rent control ordinances.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters Tenant Rights

All housing bills