S 258 requires landlords of public housing for seniors to waive late fees for tenants who are hospitalized or admitted to a health care facility. It mandates that landlords accept written proof of hospitalization to eliminate late charges during the stay and for five business days after discharge. Tenants remain responsible for rent due before lease termination, and the grace period doesn’t apply if they’re immediately admitted to another facility without returning home. Violations carry fines up to $500, enforced by the Attorney General. This bill directly affects seniors aged 62+ (or surviving spouses 55+) in subsidized senior housing.
This bill establishes minimum safety and sanitation standards for rental properties receiving federal subsidies (like Section 8 housing) in New Jersey. It requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions - such as working heat, plumbing, and pest control - and mandates that courts notify housing inspectors within two days if a tenant reports violations in subsidized units. Inspectors must assess the property within 10 days, with fees paid by the landlord if violations are found (e.g., lack of heat or structural hazards). Landlords must also register with local authorities, providing detailed contact information for emergencies and tenant communications. The bill directly affects subsidized landlords and tenants, ensuring taxpayer-funded housing meets health and safety codes.
S 220 establishes rules for when rental affordability controls expire on restricted housing units in New Jersey. It requires landlords to notify tenants 120 days before expiration and mandates income verification (based on 80% of regional median income) 90-180 days prior to determine if rent increases are permitted. If tenants remain at or below the income threshold after expiration, landlords cannot raise rents above affordability levels until the tenant moves out; if income exceeds the threshold, landlords may charge market rate at the next lease renewal or 60 days later. The bill also requires leases to prominently display expiration dates and potential rent changes. This bill applies directly to landlords of affordable housing units and their qualifying tenants.
This bill creates a New Jersey tax credit for first-time homebuyers purchasing eligible homes during specific periods. It provides a credit equal to 5% of the home price (up to $15,000) for homes used as a principal residence for 36 consecutive months. The program has a total funding cap of $100 million, allocated across four terms with separate limits for new homes and previously occupied homes. The credit is applied over three tax years, and applicants must pre-qualify through the state director's office before purchase.
This bill requires the New Jersey State to cover transportation costs for certain homeless students that exceed a district's average per-pupil transportation expense. It directly affects homeless students temporarily living in a district different from their school district of residence (e.g., due to shelter or displacement) and those displaced by terrorism or natural disasters. The key provision mandates the State pay for transportation costs above the district's standard average, rather than the district covering all excess costs. This applies when students attend school in their district of residence while temporarily residing elsewhere, or when students displaced by disasters remain in their original district for up to two years. The policy change clarifies state responsibility for a portion of transportation expenses, reducing financial burden on local school districts.
This bill requires New Jersey residential landlords to accept rent payments made by cash, certified checks, money orders, personal checks, or through rental assistance programs. Landlords cannot force tenants to use electronic funds transfers for rent payments. Violating these requirements results in a $2,000 penalty per offense for landlords, and tenants may also sue for an additional $2,000 plus legal fees. The law applies directly to landlords and tenants in residential leases across New Jersey.
This bill prohibits landlords in New Jersey from charging tenants or applicants additional fees, rent, or security deposits for keeping pets in residential rental units. Landlords may not require pet-related fees in leases or applications and may only charge a single, refundable pet security deposit of up to $500 (included within the existing security deposit limit). Tenants who face violations can seek court termination of the lease or sue for $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees. The law applies to all residential rentals (excluding hotels/motels) and directly affects renters, applicants, and landlords.
This bill establishes clear standards for courts to determine if a rent increase is "unconscionable" (extremely unfair), considering factors like the rent amount, landlord expenses (e.g., maintenance, insurance), local market rates, tenant bargaining power, and property condition. Landlords must prove their increase isn't unconscionable, shifting the burden of proof from tenants. It also requires courts to keep eviction case records private if tenants win, unless landlords secure a possession judgment. The law excludes rent-controlled areas and regulated affordable housing programs from these standards. The main provisions take effect immediately, while the record privacy rule starts six months after enactment.
This bill, S 2889 ("The Desegregate New Jersey Act"), requires New Jersey municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary living spaces on single-family lots - and mixed-use developments (combining residential and commercial spaces) in areas currently zoned only for single-family homes. It directly affects municipalities (by changing zoning rules) and homeowners (by allowing ADUs without triggering affordable housing quotas). Key provisions ban restrictions like mandatory passageways between units, parking fees for ADUs, or age requirements for occupants, and set a 65-day deadline for permit decisions. Municipalities failing to update zoning by June 2022 must follow these rules until compliance, removing barriers to denser, more diverse housing options.
This bill directs 50% of revenue from fees and taxes on real property transfers exceeding $1 million (applied to sellers of residential, commercial, and certain other high-value properties) to the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Instead of depositing these funds into the General Fund as current law requires, the bill mandates they support affordable housing programs. The change takes effect July 1 following enactment, with the Trust Fund managing these dedicated resources for housing initiatives.
