Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 2589: Establishes confidentiality of court records of landlord-tenant disputes after five years.

This bill requires New Jersey court records related to landlord-tenant disputes (such as evictions or rent collection cases) to become permanently confidential to the public starting five years after the case was filed. After this five-year period, landlords, tenant screening services, and the public cannot access these records unless a court specifically approves disclosure for public interest, while removing all tenant-identifying information. Landlords are also prohibited from using these old court records when screening new tenants. Public entities must ensure these records remain confidential, though demographic data about eviction trends (without tenant names or addresses) may still be used for research.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3506: Promotes housing availability and prevents speculation by imposing fee for institutional ownership of certain unproductive residential property.

This bill imposes a fee on institutional investors (like real estate investment trusts or corporations) owning single-family residential properties that meet specific "unproductive" criteria, such as overgrown vegetation, disconnected utilities, or lack of furnishings. It directly affects institutional owners of residential properties that are deemed abandoned or vacant under the bill's detailed definitions. The fee mechanism aims to incentivize productive use of these properties, increase housing availability, and generate revenue for housing needs. The legislation targets the growing role of institutional investors in reducing housing supply, as documented in a 2022 state study.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4322: Concerns prohibition of certain residential tenant evictions and removals due to residential foreclosure during federal government shutdown.

This bill (A4322) protects specific tenants during federal government shutdowns by preventing evictions or foreclosures from residential properties. It applies to federal employees furloughed without pay or recipients of SNAP (food assistance) benefits. During a shutdown, the Governor may issue an executive order halting enforcement of eviction/foreclosure judgments for these "eligible residents," with the order lasting up to one month after the shutdown ends. Exceptions allow enforcement if the court deems it necessary for justice or if the eviction is unrelated to rent nonpayment.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4296: Requires development and promulgation of tenant legal resources notice for tenants of certain multiple dwellings.

This bill requires landlords of multi-unit rental properties (excluding very small owner-occupied buildings with three or fewer units) to provide tenants with a legal resources notice. Landlords must distribute the notice at move-in, lease renewal, and when legal action is taken against a tenant, and post it prominently in the building. The notice, developed by the state Department of Community Affairs, lists free and private legal services, common tenant rights, and a $1,000 penalty for non-compliance. It directly affects landlords in qualifying properties and ensures tenants have accessible information about legal assistance.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homeownership Landlords Tenant Rights

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

A 2081: Prohibits landlords from requiring rent to be paid by certain means of payment or at any off-site location.

This bill prohibits landlords in New Jersey from restricting how tenants pay rent or where they must pay it. Specifically, landlords cannot require rent to be paid only by cash, check, or card, must accept all standard payment methods, and cannot demand payment outside the building or charge fees for common payment methods. It applies to all residential leases signed after enactment and requires landlords to accept cash, checks, or card payments made by tenants. Violations are punishable as disorderly persons offenses, with fines up to $1,000 or six months in jail.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 202: Repeals "Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act."

This bill repeals New Jersey's "Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act" and redirects its previously collected fees into the newly established "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund." The fund will receive money from the repealed fee system, municipal development trust funds, and other dedicated housing funds. It will finance specific affordable housing projects - including rehabilitation, accessory dwelling units, and conversions for low- and moderate-income households - in municipalities with approved housing plans or receiving state aid. The bill requires projects to be certified by municipal governing bodies and ensures housing units remain affordable for qualifying households.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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

A 224: Establishing veterans' affordable housing preference; authorizing bonus fair share credit for veterans' affordable housing.

This New Jersey bill requires municipalities to reserve at least 50% of affordable housing units in new developments for veterans who served in time of war or other emergency, as defined by state law. It mandates that veterans applying within the first 90 days of a project's marketing period receive priority for these units, with remaining units then open to the general public. After the initial 120-day marketing period, veterans are placed on a special waiting list to maintain the 50% reservation as units become available. The bill adds this veterans' preference to existing affordable housing requirements without altering the overall fair share obligations for low and moderate income housing.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 2696: Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support programming to address family homelessness.

This bill creates the "New Jersey Family Homelessness Fund" allowing taxpayers to voluntarily add contributions to their state income tax refunds or enclose payments. It directly affects families facing homelessness in New Jersey by funding services through Family Promise affiliates. Key provisions require the state to annually allocate all collected funds to Family Promise's local affiliates for homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, and housing stabilization programs. Taxpayers can choose to contribute via their tax return, with no mandatory fees or tax increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Income Tax Homelessness

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

A 3184: Requires municipalities to file copies of tax abatement and exemption agreements with county chief financial officer and county counsel within 10 days of execution.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to submit copies of property tax break agreements (like abatements or exemptions) to their county chief financial officer and county counsel within 10 days of signing. It directly affects municipalities that grant temporary property tax breaks to incentivize development. The bill also adds an annual requirement for municipalities to report total tax exemptions and abatements to county officials by October 1 each year, expanding current reporting to include county-level officials. This shifts filing responsibilities from state agencies (like the Division of Local Government Services) to county-level offices, increasing local oversight of tax incentive programs.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Development Property Taxes Tags Local Government

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

A 2592: Requires landlords to provide tenants with certain notice concerning conditions that may cause damage or hazards on rental property.

New Jersey bill A 2592 requires most residential landlords to give tenants written notice within five business days if nearby construction (like neighbor property work) or their own maintenance might cause property damage or hazards. This applies to landlords renting properties with more than two units or seasonal rentals, excluding small owner-occupied homes (up to three units) and hotels. Notices must be delivered by mail, posted prominently, or electronically before work begins. Landlords who fail to provide notice face fines up to $200 per violation, enforceable through local courts.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights

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