This bill prohibits real estate sellers and their agents in New Jersey from using photos in advertisements that have been created or edited with generative artificial intelligence or other software intended to fundamentally alter an image. It requires all property photos to reflect the actual current state of the dwelling and be no older than five years. Sellers may still use AI or editing tools to add furniture or non-fixed items, provided they disclose the use of such technology in advertisements and provide original unaltered images upon request. Violations of these rules could result in civil penalties of $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.
This New Jersey bill (A3997) prohibits landlords from including class action waivers in rental agreements for claims related to rent control law violations. If passed, such waivers would be void, making it illegal for landlords to prevent tenants from joining class-action lawsuits over rent control issues. Landlords violating this would face a $1,000 penalty per affected unit and could be liable for tenant damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law would apply immediately to all current and future rental agreements, including past rent control violations.
This bill requires property owners of hotels and multi-unit buildings with two or more floors (excluding small owner-occupied homes) to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities during elevator outages. Specifically, owners must restore elevator service within two hours or provide alternative access (like evacuation chairs, ramps, or stairlifts) if elevators are out longer. Owners must also immediately notify residents of outages and estimated repair times. Violations carry daily penalties up to $2,500 for ongoing issues, with a grant program available to help cover costs for accessibility equipment.
This bill amends New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 budget to redirect $500,000 originally designated for the City of Camden's Capital Projects fund to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local nonprofit. The reassignment shifts funds from city capital projects to support the nonprofit's work revitalizing Camden's Parkside neighborhood through commercial development, housing, and community initiatives. This is a procedural budget adjustment that changes fund allocation without creating new policies or altering overall spending levels. The bill specifically updates the appropriations act's line items to reflect this reallocation.
This bill (A2127) prohibits electric and gas public utilities in New Jersey from charging residential tenants in multi-unit dwellings (like apartments) a meter-reading fee that exceeds the actual cost of their electricity or gas usage for a billing cycle. It specifically targets fees charged to customers who have opted out of smart meter installation and require manual meter readings. The law sets a clear cap: utilities cannot charge more for manual readings than the customer’s regular utility usage cost. This applies directly to renters in shared housing who choose manual metering, ensuring fees align with actual consumption rather than arbitrary charges.
This bill establishes clear standards for courts to determine if a rent increase is "unconscionable" (extremely unfair), directly affecting landlords and tenants in New Jersey. Courts must consider factors like the rent amount, landlord expenses, comparable local rents (including HUD data), tenant bargaining power, and property condition, with landlords bearing the burden of proof. It also excludes certain eviction court records from public access - specifically dismissed cases and cases where possession was granted over seven years ago - while exempting rent-controlled properties or regulated housing programs. The law codifies existing court practices to provide consistent, objective criteria for rent disputes.
This bill reassigns $500,000 in state funds from the City of Camden's Capital Projects budget to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local nonprofit organization. The funds, originally designated for Camden city capital projects, will now support the nonprofit's neighborhood revitalization work in Camden's Parkside area, focusing on commercial development and housing. The change modifies the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to shift the funding source while maintaining the same total appropriation amount. This is a procedural reallocation of existing funds, not a new policy or funding increase.
This bill (A3586) requires New Jersey's Division of Purchase and Property to create an annual report analyzing all state-owned real property for potential use as affordable housing. The report must inventory all state-owned land and buildings, including those held by agencies or authorities, and assess feasibility for low- and moderate-income housing development under existing law. The Division must submit this report to the Governor and Legislature within 13 months of the bill's effective date, then annually thereafter, and post it online. The bill directly affects state agencies managing property and requires them to systematically evaluate underutilized assets for housing opportunities.
This bill protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from housing discrimination. Landlords cannot evict, refuse to renew, or deny rentals based on a tenant’s victim status. To qualify, tenants must provide documentation like restraining orders, law enforcement records, medical reports, or certifications from domestic violence specialists. Violating this law could lead to civil lawsuits where victims recover damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The bill amends New Jersey's eviction statutes to explicitly prohibit housing decisions based on victim status.
