This bill allows tenants in New Jersey to pay rent into an escrow account or perform repairs and deduct costs if a serious hazard, such as mold or a broken heating system, persists after they notify the landlord. The legislation protects tenants from eviction for failing to pay rent directly to the landlord while these issues are being addressed. Additionally, it authorizes tenants to make repairs themselves and deduct up to four months' worth of rent from future payments if the landlord does not fix the problem within a reasonable time. These measures are designed to ensure that living conditions remain safe and habitable without immediately triggering eviction proceedings.
This bill establishes statewide rent control in New Jersey, directly affecting landlords and tenants of residential rental units. It limits rent increases to a maximum of two percent in a single year or four percent over a five-year period for current tenants, while allowing a one-time increase of up to ten percent for new tenancies. The law includes specific exceptions for properties already under existing affordability programs and provides a mechanism for landlords to request waivers if they can prove an undue hardship, such as rising taxes or maintenance costs. Violations of these limits would result in penalties paid to the tenant, and the act takes effect immediately but remains inactive until the seventh month following its enactment.
This bill creates the "Tenant Anti-Retaliation & Anti-Harassment Act" to protect renters from unfair treatment by landlords following complaints. It establishes a rule where if a landlord takes adverse actions, such as issuing eviction notices, illegal lockouts, utility shut-offs, or harassment, within six months of a tenant's complaint, these actions are presumed to be retaliatory unless proven otherwise. When a violation is found, the landlord faces a $5,000 civil penalty for each offense, plus the tenant can recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs through a streamlined legal process. The law applies to all rental properties in New Jersey and takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill creates a new criminal offense for landlords who harass residential tenants with the intent to force them out of their homes. It defines harassment to include actions such as cutting off essential services, threatening violence, repeatedly entering the property, or filing frivolous eviction cases. The law also expands liability for members of limited liability companies that own rental properties, holding them personally accountable for these actions. Penalties range from disorderly persons offenses to fourth- or third-degree crimes depending on the severity and frequency of the behavior, while also allowing victims to seek civil penalties and damages. Additionally, the bill provides a mechanism for prosecutors to delay charges if the landlord agrees to fix the problematic behavior within ten days.
This bill creates a $2 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities establish snow removal services for seniors. Under the plan, local governments can apply for up to $100,000 to clear snow and ice from the driveways, entrance paths, and sidewalks of homes occupied by residents aged 62 or older with incomes below 65% of the area median. The funding is restricted to single-family homes and does not cover seniors living in rental units or communities where the landlord or association already provides equivalent snow removal services. The Department of Community Affairs will manage the fund and create necessary rules to oversee the distribution of these grants.
This New Jersey bill allows tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent to use a federal interruption in their Social Security benefits as a legal defense. To qualify, tenants must prove that their benefits were stopped, delayed, or reduced by the federal government and that this loss directly prevented them from paying their rent. If a tenant provides this evidence, the court must pause the eviction process for up to six months or until benefits are restored, whichever comes first. Once benefits resume, the tenant must either pay all overdue rent or agree on a payment plan with the landlord, after which the eviction case should be dismissed. The law does not prevent courts from ruling that a tenant was already behind on rent before the Social Security issue occurred.
This bill establishes protections for tenants in New Jersey against the disconnection of water and wastewater services when the property owner is the utility customer. It requires utility companies to provide a 30-day written notice before shutting off service and prohibits disconnection if the tenant informs the provider they are not the customer of record or lives in a multi-unit building with a single service connection. Under these rules, any unpaid bills must be collected from the property owner rather than the tenant, and the owner cannot later seek reimbursement from the tenant for those costs. The Department of Community Affairs and the Board of Public Utilities are tasked with notifying utilities of these new requirements and creating regulations to enforce them.
This bill expands registration requirements for residential landlords in New Jersey and increases the penalties for non-compliance. It mandates that landlords of single-family rentals, duplexes, and larger apartment buildings file detailed certificates with local officials, which must include owner information, contact details for maintenance staff, emergency representatives, and proof of insurance. Additionally, the bill requires landlords to complete approved training on tenant rights and housing safety standards, with specific certification deadlines for different property types. Violations of these new rules could result in fines of up to $500 per offense and the potential revocation of the landlord's registration certificate.
This bill allows tenants in New Jersey to defend against eviction if their inability to pay rent is caused by a federal government interruption to their Social Security benefits. To use this defense, a tenant must prove that their benefits were delayed, reduced, or stopped by federal action and that this loss directly prevented them from paying rent. If the court accepts this evidence, it will pause the eviction process for up to six months or until the benefits are restored. Once the tenant's income is recovered, they must either pay all owed rent or agree on a payment plan with their landlord to have the eviction notice dismissed.
This New Jersey bill creates a new criminal offense for landlords who harass residential tenants with the goal of forcing them to leave their homes. It defines harassment to include actions such as cutting off essential services, threatening violence, repeatedly entering the property, and filing frivolous eviction cases. The law also expands liability for members of limited liability companies that own rental properties, ensuring they can be held personally responsible for such conduct. Additionally, the bill allows victims to seek civil penalties and damages, while offering prosecutors a brief window to let landlords fix minor violations before charges proceed.
