Housing (Tenant Rights)

This New Jersey bill (S 1842) requires landlords to provide tenants with specific eviction prevention resources. Landlords must distribute a bilingual (English/Spanish) statement and separate eviction avoidance materials within 30 days of availability, to all current tenants and new tenants at lease signing or renewal, with tenants signing an acknowledgment. The materials must include the New Jersey Eviction Guide, contact information for the Office of Eviction Prevention, Eviction Prevention Program details, and local court resources. Landlords who fail to comply face a $1,000 penalty per violation, enforceable through court proceedings.

This bill prohibits rental property owners and software companies from using technology that coordinates rent increases across multiple properties. It specifically bans "coordinating functions" where software collects real-time pricing data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends uniform rent prices - effectively enabling tacit price-fixing agreements. The law applies to all residential rental properties (excluding certain facilities) and makes such coordination a violation of New Jersey’s Antitrust Act. Enforcement would occur through existing antitrust mechanisms, with education efforts to inform tenants about suspected violations.

This bill (S 1507) increases penalties for landlords who violate New Jersey's "Truth-in-Renting Act" from $100 to $1,000 per violation. It directly affects tenants who face landlord violations, such as failing to provide required rental guides, refusing cash receipts, or blocking payment methods. The bill also allows tenants to recover reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses when suing for these violations. These changes aim to strengthen tenant protections by raising financial consequences for landlords and reducing legal barriers for tenants seeking redress.

S 760, the "Mold Safe Housing Act," requires landlords in New Jersey to address mold hazards in rental properties within 72 hours of tenant notification. It mandates inspections before occupancy changes for certain buildings and creates a process where tenants can request mold remediation, with landlords facing financial liability if they fail to comply. The bill establishes a relocation program for tenants in unsafe housing, allowing the state to seek reimbursement from negligent landlords for relocation costs. This law directly affects renters in mold-prone housing, landlords, and local housing authorities, focusing on health safety through enforceable cleanup deadlines and financial accountability.