Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 1744: Establishes confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records; addresses adverse actions on rental applications.

This bill establishes confidentiality for landlord-tenant court records in New Jersey to prevent unfair housing denials. It requires all such records to remain private for 60 days after filing, and permanently confidential if the tenant wins, settles favorably, or the case is dismissed - only allowing public access if a landlord wins a judgment for possession. The law directly affects tenants (especially low-income renters) by stopping screening agencies from using bare court filings as a sole reason to deny housing, even when tenants had valid legal defenses like withholding rent for unsafe conditions. Landlords and tenant screening agencies must now wait for case outcomes before accessing records, reducing "blacklisting" based on incomplete information.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3459: Establishes "Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act."

S 3459 establishes a one-year pilot program in Hudson County for 50 homeless youth aged 18-24, providing a $5,000 one-time payment and a $1,200 monthly cash stipend for nine months. The program, administered by the state’s Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner, includes wraparound services like housing navigation, financial coaching, and mental health support. It requires collecting data on housing stability and economic outcomes without gathering citizenship or immigration information, and mandates a final report to the Governor and Legislature. The pilot aims to test whether direct cash assistance improves housing stability for youth facing homelessness in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness Property Development

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

A 3290: Extends time period for tenants receiving federal housing choice voucher program assistance to locate new housing after landlord sells property.

This bill would extend the time tenants using federal housing choice vouchers (Section 8) have to find new housing from 60 days to 180 days when they must vacate due to a landlord selling the property. Currently, tenants have a 60-day initial period to secure housing, with limited extensions possible. The bill requires New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs to establish this 180-day standard for all housing authorities administering the voucher program. It directly affects low-income renters in New Jersey who face displacement from properties sold by landlords.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1000: Allows gross income tax credits to certain renters whose rent exceeds 35 percent of gross income.

This New Jersey bill creates a refundable tax credit for renters whose rent exceeds 35% of their gross income. It directly affects low-to-moderate income residents (earning $60,000 or less annually) who live in their primary home and pay rent above that threshold. The credit amount varies: 100% of excess rent (up to $1,000) for those earning under $50,000 in high-cost areas or under $25,000 elsewhere; 75% for those earning $25,000-$60,000; and 50% for higher earners outside high-cost areas. The credit applies retroactively to the previous tax year, requiring eligible taxpayers to file amended returns within 90 days of the bill's enactment to claim it.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

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

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

A 199: Establishes expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized real property occupants.

This bill creates a faster court process to remove people occupying property without legal right, specifically targeting occupants who never paid rent, had no lease, and entered without the owner's consent. Property owners must certify in court that the occupant was never a tenant, never paid rent, and had no written permission to stay. If verified, courts must schedule a hearing within 3 business days and issue a writ of possession within 5 days, requiring immediate removal by court officers. Property owners who win such cases also receive triple damages for unlawful occupancy, while forging documents to manipulate the process is a criminal offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The bill directly affects property owners seeking to reclaim vacant properties and occupants facing removal under these strict criteria.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 3530: "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act"; provides certain protections to residential tenants and codifies certain warranty of habitability protections.

S 3530, the "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act," protects residential tenants in New Jersey from discrimination based on immigration status. It prohibits landlords from threatening to report a tenant’s immigration status, using it as a reason to evict, or requiring social security numbers/ID as a condition for tenancy. Tenants can sue landlords for violations and recover damages up to $2,000 per violation, plus attorney fees. The bill also prevents courts from inquiring into a tenant’s immigration status during housing rights cases unless directly relevant to the tenant’s claims.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 2518: Establishes distinction between residential tenant and other occupants of hotel or motel for purpose of determining permitted removal actions.

This New Jersey bill (A 2518) clarifies when hotel or motel occupants qualify as "residential tenants" rather than transient guests, directly affecting long-term guests seeking protection under the Anti-Eviction Act (P.L.1974, c.49). It establishes a seven-factor test: stay duration (3+ months), intent to stay long-term (e.g., changing address or school registration), owner notification, being the occupant’s only residence, presence of kitchen appliances, and personal housekeeping. Exceptions include occupants receiving emergency housing assistance (who retain tenant protections until benefits end) and those who fail to provide registration information (though property owners who neglect to collect this info cannot deny tenant status). The bill codifies existing court standards to ensure consistent application of residential eviction rules for qualifying long-term occupants.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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

A 3508: Requires standards for maximum development costs per unit for project supported by affordable housing trust fund.

This bill (A 3508) requires New Jersey's commissioner to establish maximum development costs per housing unit for projects funded by the state's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It mandates these cost standards be comparable to federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program limits. The commissioner must adopt implementing rules within five months of the bill's enactment. This directly affects developers seeking funding through the Trust Fund, ensuring projects adhere to specified cost limits for affordability.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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

A 2867: Extends eligibility for property tax benefits to veterans, 100 percent service-disabled veterans, and senior citizens and persons with disabilities who pay payments in lieu of property taxes.

This bill extends an existing property tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities (such as paraplegia, amputation, or total blindness) and their eligible surviving spouses to include those who pay "payments in lieu of property taxes" in urban renewal areas. It also clarifies that tenant shareholders in cooperative housing can claim the exemption for their proportionate share of taxes, provided the veteran or surviving spouse is the sole beneficiary. The exemption applies to the primary residence and is in addition to other existing property tax benefits, without replacing other available exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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

A 3102: Expands definition of landlords required to provide receipt for rent cash payment made by tenant.

This bill expands the requirement for landlords to provide receipts for cash rent payments to cover all residential landlords, removing previous exemptions for small-scale properties. It affects landlords renting single units or small multi-unit buildings (previously exempt if under two units or owner-occupied with three units), but excludes hotels, motels, and transient housing. The key change is broadening the definition of "landlord" to mandate written or emailed receipts showing payment details for all cash rent payments. This creates a uniform requirement for all residential rental agreements lasting at least one month, with penalties for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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