Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4234: Establishes homestead exemption against forced sale for certain persons in debt.

This bill creates a new homestead exemption in New Jersey that protects a homeowner's primary residence from being seized to pay debts, except in criminal cases. It allows owners to shield up to $250,000 of their home's equity, or $500,000 for married couples, from forced sales resulting from court judgments. The protection applies automatically to the home's value without requiring the owner to file any paperwork, and it covers various types of residential properties including houses, condominiums, and manufactured homes. Homeowners can voluntarily give up this protection by officially waiving it in writing, selling the property, or permanently moving out of the state.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5026: Requires organizations providing services to homeless persons to participate in Homeless Management Information System to track occupancy of shelter beds.

This bill requires organizations that provide services to homeless individuals in New Jersey to join the Homeless Management Information System to track shelter bed occupancy. It establishes an Office of Homelessness Prevention within the Department of Community Affairs to coordinate services and manage data from state, county, and municipal agencies. The legislation also allows for the transfer of the Homeless Management Information System from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to the new office and provides funding to help organizations cover the costs of participation.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 5143: Restricts purchase of single-family homes by certain institutional investors.

This bill restricts certain institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes in New Jersey that are listed for sale on the market. It defines "institutional investors" as large corporations, partnerships, or trusts, while explicitly exempting small investors who own 20 or fewer homes, family trusts, and nonprofits focused on affordable housing. The law aims to prevent large investment firms from buying up residential properties, thereby keeping homes available for individual buyers and local families.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

ACR 142: Proposes constitutional amendment eliminating cap on certain benefits to qualify for senior and disabled citizens' $250 property tax deduction.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the income limit that currently restricts eligibility for New Jersey's $250 property tax deduction for seniors and disabled citizens. Under the current rules, only residents with an annual income of $10,000 or less qualify for this benefit, but the amendment would allow individuals earning more than that threshold to still receive the deduction. The change directly affects elderly and disabled homeowners, cooperative residents, and their surviving spouses who currently cannot access the tax relief due to higher incomes. If passed by voters, the amendment would expand financial assistance to a broader group of low-to-moderate income residents while maintaining the existing $250 deduction amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 4066: Requires State to issue biennial report of unutilized State-owned property and potential for use as affordable housing.

This bill requires the New Jersey State Department of the Treasury to create a list of unused state-owned land and buildings that are not currently generating revenue or serving a public purpose. State agencies must submit these lists every two years, after which officials will analyze each site to determine if it can be developed into low- or moderate-income housing. The final report detailing these findings will be sent to the Governor and the Legislature and made available online every two years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4097: Lowers age of eligibility for surviving spouse under homestead property tax reimbursement program from 65 to 62 years of age.

This bill modifies New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program by lowering the age requirement for surviving spouses from 65 to 62 years old. The change directly affects widowed individuals who own their primary residence and meet the program's existing income limits, allowing them to qualify for tax relief at an earlier age. By amending the state statute, the legislation expands eligibility without altering other financial thresholds or residency rules. This adjustment aims to provide financial assistance to a broader group of older widows and widowers facing property tax burdens.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4856: Expands liability of certain individuals associated with limited liability companies and other commercial entities, when acting as residential landlord.

This New Jersey bill allows courts to hold individual owners of limited liability companies and corporations personally responsible for unpaid housing, building, or health code fines when they act as residential landlords. To trigger this personal liability, the property must have at least three unpaid code violations that remain outstanding for a full year, and the individual must own at least 10% of the business or hold a leadership role. The law requires that proper legal notice be sent to the owners and their agents before enforcement can proceed, while also allowing individuals to argue they were not responsible if their involvement with the company was too brief to ensure payment.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4816: Revises "Administrative Procedure Act" concerning socio-economic impact statements for proposed rule-making.

This bill amends New Jersey's Administrative Procedure Act to require state agencies to prepare and publish detailed statements analyzing the socio-economic impacts of proposed rules. Specifically, agencies must include assessments of job creation or loss, effects on agriculture, housing affordability, smart growth development, and racial and ethnic community criminal justice outcomes. The legislation also mandates that these documents be made available online and distributed to the public alongside the standard notice of proposed rule-making. By formalizing these requirements, the bill aims to ensure that citizens and stakeholders receive clearer information about how new regulations might affect their communities before rules are finalized.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4098: Requires certain notice prior to placing liens related to water utility service.

This bill requires water utilities in New Jersey to send written notice to property owners and tenants within 30 days if a water meter stops registering. It prohibits these utilities from placing, selling, or enforcing liens for unpaid water charges during the period when the faulty meter was not working unless they have provided this specific notification. The law applies to both municipal and public water utilities and mandates that notices be sent via individual service or certified mail to the owner, their representatives, and affected residential customers. Utilities that fail to comply with these notice requirements face a civil penalty of at least $2,500 for each violation.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4831: Requires inclusion of information about discriminatory housing practices in Truth in Renting Guide.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to update the Truth in Renting Guide to include specific information about discriminatory housing practices related to rental subsidies. The amendment mandates that the guide explicitly state it is illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to individuals using Section 8 vouchers or other lawful rental subsidies, as well as to advertise such refusals. By adding these details, the bill aims to inform tenants and landlords that housing vouchers are considered a protected source of lawful income under the state's Law Against Discrimination. The updated guide must be available in both English and Spanish and posted on the department's website annually. This change directly affects landlords, tenants, and the general public by clarifying existing legal protections against discrimination based on income sources.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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