This New Jersey bill amends the Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect immigrants and non-citizens from discrimination based on their immigration status or citizenship status. It adds these categories to the list of protected characteristics in employment, housing, and public accommodations, alongside existing protections for race, gender, disability, and other factors. The law ensures individuals cannot be denied jobs, housing, or services due to their immigration or citizenship status, and clarifies that discrimination against people for these reasons harms both individuals and the state. This expands existing anti-discrimination law to directly address barriers faced by immigrant communities.
New Jersey's bill A 1078 requires landlords to distribute annual eviction prevention information to tenants, including a statement of legal rights and a separate resource guide in English and Spanish. Landlords must provide this information within 30 days of its release by the Department of Community Affairs, at lease signing or renewal, and post it prominently in rental properties. The materials list specific resources like the New Jersey Eviction Guide, contact details for the Office of Eviction Prevention, and local court programs. Landlords who fail to comply face penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, with tenants able to recover the penalty and related costs.
This bill requires renters in New Jersey to obtain renter's insurance before signing or renewing a lease for a dwelling unit (a self-contained residential space like an apartment or house). The insurance must protect tenants against loss of personal belongings, liability claims, and additional living expenses if they're displaced from their home due to an incident like a fire. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to all new or renewed leases after that date. It directly affects all individuals leasing residential housing in New Jersey, mandating insurance coverage rather than merely allowing it.
This bill (A 226) establishes a process for New Jersey municipalities to be exempt from certain affordable housing obligations if designated as "extensively flood-prone" by the housing council. It allows municipalities to avoid fulfilling fair share housing requirements - including past obligations - when flood risk would jeopardize development or preservation efforts. The exemption applies when flood-prone areas prevent feasible housing development, alongside existing adjustment factors like historic preservation or infrastructure constraints. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1985, c.222) to formalize this flood-risk exemption as a specific pathway for municipalities. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Housing Committee.
This New Jersey bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants (including applicants) extra rent, fees, or security deposits for keeping pets in residential rentals. Landlords may only charge a single, refundable pet security deposit of up to $500, which must be included within the existing total security deposit limit. The law bans any lease terms requiring pet-related fees and allows tenants to sue landlords for violations, seeking $1,000 per offense plus legal fees. It directly affects renters with pets and landlords managing residential properties (excluding hotels/motels).
This bill requires developers of certain affordable housing projects to meet specific green building standards. It applies to new inclusionary affordable housing developments and existing units undergoing major renovations, mandating compliance with Energy Star standards for construction and renovation. Key provisions include using LED lighting with occupancy sensors, requiring Energy Star-rated appliances, incorporating solar facilities where feasible (with a formal exemption process), and implementing features like EV charging stations and native landscaping. Developers must also test soil for contamination before new construction on inclusionary housing sites. These requirements aim to reduce energy use and environmental impact in affordable housing developments.
This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to count certain dwellings used by agricultural workers toward their fair share housing obligation. Specifically, it permits municipalities to credit one housing unit for every existing or newly constructed dwelling on agricultural land that serves low- or moderate-income migrant or seasonal farm workers. To qualify, the dwelling must be exclusively for farm workers, meet income standards, and be on agricultural property. This change directly affects municipalities with agricultural land seeking to comply with state housing requirements. The policy modifies how housing obligations are calculated under existing law, focusing on crediting existing farm worker housing rather than requiring new construction.
This bill prohibits home sellers in New Jersey from requiring potential buyers to disclose their down payment amount when submitting an offer. It directly affects residential real estate sellers and buyers, covering properties serving as single-family or small multi-unit dwellings (excluding buildings with over four residential units). The key provision bans sellers from asking about down payment details during the offer process, with violations subject to a $1,000 civil penalty. The law aims to prevent sellers from using down payment information to screen buyers unfairly.
S 3652 creates a New Jersey home purchase grant program for veterans who served at least 90 days in federal active duty. It provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants of up to $10,000 per veteran to cover closing costs, equity payments, or other home-buying expenses, with no income requirements. Eligible veterans must be New Jersey residents with proof of service and intent to buy a primary residence in the state. The bill appropriates $2 million to fund the program, which will operate through the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in coordination with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
This bill (A 3996) requires landlords in New Jersey municipalities with rent control ordinances to submit annual compliance forms to their local clerk, detailing unit information, rent registrations, exemptions, complaints, and enforcement actions. Municipalities must maintain and publicly share these records online through a new Department of Community Affairs internet system, with $2 million appropriated to fund municipal digitization efforts. Landlords face a $150 civil penalty for knowingly submitting false information, and missing or incomplete records create a legal presumption that rent control applies to the unit. The bill directly affects landlords in rent-controlled areas and municipal clerks responsible for record-keeping.
