Housing (Renters) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3096: Establishes Rent Control Enforcement Unit in DCA; authorizes residential tenant to petition for review of alleged violation of local rent restriction.

This bill establishes a new Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to enforce local rent control laws. It directly affects residential tenants in municipalities with rent restrictions (such as rent stabilization ordinances) and landlords who may face violations. Tenants can petition the RCEU to investigate and challenge rent increases they believe violate local rules, and the unit can order rent reductions, impose fines up to four months' rent, or allow lease termination. The RCEU will also operate a dedicated helpline and online portal for tenant reporting.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 137: Increases income eligibility limit for homestead property tax reimbursement program.

This bill increases the income eligibility limit for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program. It raises the annual income cap from $80,000 to $160,000 for qualifying single or married homeowners (or renters) aged 65+ or disabled individuals. The change directly affects low-to-moderate income seniors and disabled residents who own or rent homes as their primary residence. This adjustment expands access to tax reimbursement by allowing higher-earning eligible residents to qualify under the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3049: Allows certain senior citizens to apply for rent increase limit.

This bill, the "Senior Citizen Tenant Protection Act," would allow renters aged 55 or older who live in the same rental unit for at least 10 years to apply for rent increase limits. To qualify, applicants must have an annual income under $80,000 (adjusted annually), not use federal or state housing assistance, and reside in non-public housing. If approved, landlords could only raise rent by an amount tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), not exceeding the current rent multiplied by an annual CPI-based rate factor. Landlords may request waivers for financial hardship, but the rent cap would remain in effect unless a waiver is granted.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1223: Requires landlords of certain properties providing child care services who refuse lead service line replacements to install and maintain water filters.

This bill requires landlords of properties used for child care services (such as daycares, after-school programs, or preschools caring for six or more children under 13) to install and maintain NSF/ANSI-certified water filters at all drinking, food prep, and baby formula fixtures if they refuse access to replace lead service lines. Landlords must annually certify filter installation to the Department of Environmental Protection and face $500 daily penalties for noncompliance. Tenants can notify landlords of violations, triggering a 30-day correction period, after which they may seek court-ordered rent escrow to fund required filter installation. The requirement applies only if lead service lines remain connected and active.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Renters

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1602: Establishes disabled veteran tenant gross income tax credit.

This bill creates a tax credit for disabled veterans who rent their primary residence (homestead), allowing them to claim a credit of up to $1,000 annually for the portion of their rent that covers property taxes. The credit applies to rent paid for residential rental units where the disabled veteran occupies the home as their primary residence, based on 18% of rent being considered equivalent to property taxes. Married disabled veterans filing separately can each claim half the credit, while those sharing the home with others (not their spouse) can only claim the credit for the rent they personally paid. The credit is nonrefundable, cannot reduce taxes below zero, and works alongside an existing $50 credit for older or disabled renters. The bill is pending in the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee as of its introduction date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 433: Establishes limit on rent increase for senior citizen tenants of certain properties financed with assistance from HMFA.

This bill limits annual rent increases for senior tenants (62+ years old) living in rental housing funded by New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). It caps rent hikes at the greater of 2% or the local cost-of-living adjustment (based on the Consumer Price Index), preventing increases that outpace fixed incomes. The law applies specifically to "covered dwelling units" (rental units in HMFA-funded properties rented to seniors as their primary residence) and exempts duplexes where landlords live in one unit and existing affordable housing agreements. Tenants can seek legal remedies if landlords violate the cap, including $500 for first offenses.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 1821: Allows gross income tax credits to certain renters whose rent exceeds 35 percent of gross income.

This bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey renters whose rent exceeds 35% of their gross income. It directly affects low-to-moderate income residents (earning under $60,000 annually) living in the state, with credit amounts based on income level and location: up to 100% of excess rent for those earning under $25,000 (or under $50,000 in high-cost areas), 75% for middle-income renters, and 50% for higher-income renters in non-high-cost areas. The credit, capped at $1,000 per year, is applied against state income tax and can be claimed retroactively for the previous tax year. Renters receiving federal or state housing subsidies instead receive a credit equal to 1/12 of their unsubsidized rent.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3025: Grants credit against business income taxes to developer of rental housing reserved for occupancy by veterans.

This bill creates a 10% tax credit against New Jersey business income taxes for developers who build or rehabilitate rental housing exclusively reserved for veterans. The credit covers 10% of "approved costs" (including land, construction, materials, and labor) for qualifying projects, with a maximum annual credit of $5 million statewide. Developers must reserve all units for veterans for at least 15 years and apply for state approval through the Department of Community Affairs. The policy directly affects developers of new or rehabilitated rental properties meeting specific veteran-occupancy requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Property Development Renters Veteran Employment Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2746: Establishes four-year "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" in Department of Community Affairs.

S 2746 establishes a 4-year "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" in New Jersey, enabling low-income tenants in subsidized housing (renting units funded by state or federal aid) to build credit history through rent payment reporting. Participating landlords voluntarily report tenants' rent payments (including timely, late, or missed payments) to credit bureaus, with tenants paying a maximum $10 monthly fee for this service. Tenants may join or leave the program anytime but cannot rejoin for six months after opting out. The Department of Community Affairs will review the program after two years to assess participation, tenant demographics, credit impacts, and cost, then recommend whether to continue it.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2671: Concerns mortgage and loan forbearance, rent suspension, and consumer reporting during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

This New Jersey bill (S 2671) pauses mortgage and rent payments for affected residents and small businesses during the pandemic emergency. It requires property owners to grant 90-day mortgage forbearance (extendable to 180 days total) without proof of hardship, and landlords to suspend rent for residential tenants and small business commercial tenants for up to 180 days total, with no fees or penalties. The bill also prohibits foreclosures and evictions for 90 days after the emergency declaration and mandates landlords to provide written notices about payment suspensions. It directly affects homeowners, residential renters, and small business tenants in New Jersey during the covered emergency period.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters

All housing bills