Housing (Renters)

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

A 2622: Establishes Rent Control Enforcement Unit in DCA; authorizes residential tenant to petition for review of alleged violation of local rent restriction.

This bill creates a Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to handle tenant complaints about rent violations. It directly affects residential tenants and landlords in municipalities with local rent control laws (like rent stabilization or limits on increases for low/moderate-income housing). Tenants can petition the RCEU to investigate and challenge rent increases they believe violate local rules, with the unit authorized to order rent reductions (as low as the lowest rate in the past year), impose penalties up to four months' rent, or allow lease termination. The unit will also provide a dedicated helpline and portal for reporting violations, operating under rules requiring tenants to first try local administrative remedies where available.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Rent Control Enforcement Unit to investigate tenant complaints about illegal rent increases, directly strengthening tenant protections under rent control laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3326: Makes use of algorithmic systems to influence price and supply of residential rental units unlawful.

This bill prohibits landlords and property management software companies from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental prices across multiple properties. It defines a "coordinator" as any entity operating software that collects price data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental rates or occupancy levels. The law makes it unlawful for landlords to subscribe to such services or for coordinators to facilitate price-fixing agreements that reduce competition. The bill addresses New Jersey's affordable housing crisis, where median rents for three-bedroom apartments rose 35% from 2021-2024 and over half of renters spend more than 30% of income on rent.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans algorithmic price coordination by landlords/software, preventing coordinated rent hikes that harm tenants and reduce competition, strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits algorithmic systems used for rental price coordination, restricting a specific technology application to prevent anti-competitive practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 2299: Prohibits use and sale of algorithmic devices for setting rent price or occupancy of residential dwelling units.

This bill prohibits landlords and software sellers from using or providing algorithmic devices that set, recommend, or advise on rents or occupancy rates for residential properties in New Jersey. It directly affects landlords (including large corporate owners) and companies that develop or sell such software, banning tools that analyze non-public competitor data to influence pricing. The law defines "algorithmic device" to exclude software using public data or affordable housing program guidelines, ensuring it doesn’t restrict standard rent-setting practices. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, with the Attorney General able to seek damages or injunctions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans algorithmic rent-setting tools that could lead to unfair pricing, strengthening tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits algorithmic devices for rent pricing, restricting a specific technology application in housing markets.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Landlords Renters

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

A 2627: Prohibits residential landlord from imposing certain surcharges for rent payments.

This New Jersey bill (A 2627) prohibits landlords from charging tenants more than $5 per month for using digital payment methods (like credit cards or online platforms) to pay rent. It directly affects renters - especially fixed-income tenants, seniors, and low-wage earners - who often face cumulative fees of hundreds of dollars annually. Landlords must cover any fees exceeding $5 per payment or reimburse tenants within 10 days, and provide itemized receipts showing compliance. Violations trigger penalties under existing housing laws, including potential consumer fraud claims.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord surcharges >$5 for digital rent payments, protecting low-income tenants from annual fees and strengthening tenant affordability and rights.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCaps digital payment fees for rent, reducing financial barriers for low-income tenants using digital services, aligning with digital equity promotion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2094: Authorizes establishment of municipal homelessness trust funds and adoption of homeless housing plans by municipalities.

This bill would have allowed New Jersey municipalities to create dedicated "Municipal Homelessness Trust Funds" by adding a $5 fee to existing fines (like parking tickets). It required towns to adopt a homeless housing plan - developed with community groups - to address local homelessness through permanent housing solutions, rental assistance, and prevention programs. Funds would have been used exclusively for housing initiatives within four years, with unspent money transferred to the state for community-based organizations. The bill was withdrawn in January 2026 after similar provisions were enacted in P.L. 2025, c. 348.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a $5 fee tax to fund homelessness housing programs, directly allocating new revenue to public services under budget management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates municipal homelessness trust funds via $5 fees, mandates homeless housing plans with permanent housing solutions, rental assistance, and prevention programs, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters

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

A 4326: Prohibits imposition of costs of certain realtor services on residential tenants.

This bill prohibits landlords or property managers from charging residential tenants for real estate brokerage services related to rental agreements. It directly affects renters in New Jersey who would otherwise pay fees for services like agent commissions or listing costs typically associated with securing a rental unit. The law amends existing real estate regulations to ban these charges, ensuring tenants only pay rent and standard fees outlined in their lease, not brokerage-related costs. This policy change applies to all residential rental transactions under New Jersey law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents tenants from paying realtor brokerage fees, reducing rental costs and strengthening tenant protections under housing affordability measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3641: Requires landlord to provide written explanation for rent increase on tenant of senior citizen housing project.

This bill requires landlords in senior citizen housing projects to provide tenants with a written explanation when increasing rent. The explanation must detail why the increase is fair (not "unconscionable"), confirm compliance with local rent laws, and list specific property expenses that justified the increase. It applies only to tenants living in housing projects specifically designated as "senior citizen housing" under existing law. Landlords must provide this written notice alongside any rent increase notice, enhancing transparency for senior renters.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates written rent increase explanations for senior housing tenants, requiring fairness and compliance with local laws to strengthen tenant protections in vulnerable housing context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

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

A 2680: Increases gross income tax relief based on rent constituting property taxes for residential tenants and establishes refundable gross income tax credit in place of gross income tax deduction for residential tenants.

This New Jersey bill replaces a tax deduction for residential tenants with a refundable tax credit. It allows tenants renting their primary residence to claim a credit equal to 30% of their rent (capped at $15,000 annually) for the portion of rent treated as property taxes. The credit is refundable, meaning any amount exceeding the tenant's tax bill is paid directly to them. It directly affects renters in qualifying housing, such as apartments and mobile home rentals, who use the property as their main home.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit for renters, offering direct tax relief to middle/lower income tenants via 30% rent credit capped at $15k annually.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides refundable tax credit (30% rent, capped at $15k) for residential tenants, directly reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for renters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 585: Concerns application of residential rental property inspection findings in rental assistance determinations and eviction actions.

This bill requires landlords receiving state rental assistance to maintain compliance with New Jersey's housing standards and promptly fix violations. The Department of Community Affairs must use a statewide electronic database of rental property inspections to verify landlords' compliance and may end rental assistance for units failing inspections, unless this would cause unnecessary hardship to tenants. It also mandates that New Jersey courts can access this inspection database during eviction cases or related proceedings. The changes apply directly to landlords participating in New Jersey's State Rental Assistance Program (S-RAP) and the Department of Community Affairs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to maintain housing standards and fix violations, protecting tenants from unsafe conditions and preventing unjust evictions via court access to inspection data.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1907: Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans.

This bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax rebate to disabled veterans, reducing their tax burden and addressing financial hardship from high property taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax rebate to disabled veterans to prevent homelessness and reduce housing costs, directly addressing housing affordability for vulnerable residents.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides property tax rebate to disabled veterans to reduce financial hardship and prevent homelessness, directly expanding benefits for this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homelessness Property Taxes Renters Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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