Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3633: “Justin Christian El-Abiad, Robert E. Dwight, Jr., Raquan Ellis, Zahir Atkins, and Sebastien Manzalaoui Act"; revises window guard requirements in certain residential rental units and multiple dwellings.

This bill revises window guard requirements for residential rental units and apartment buildings in New Jersey. It requires landlords to install and maintain approved window guards on windows in units where children 13 years or younger, or people with disabilities, reside or spend significant time. Key changes include expanding the age limit from 10 to 13 years, adding disability protections, mandating audible alerts (chimes) on guards, and specifying that guards must prevent openings larger than 4 inches. The bill also clarifies that rigid window stops cannot replace compliant guards and establishes different notification rules for condo communities versus standard rental buildings.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4475: Lowers age of eligibility for surviving spouse under homestead property tax reimbursement program from 65 to 62 years of age.

This bill lowers the minimum age for surviving spouses to qualify for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program from 65 to 62 years old. It directly affects surviving spouses of eligible homeowners who were previously ineligible until age 65, allowing them to claim the benefit earlier. The change applies to any tax year for which reimbursement is sought, without altering other requirements like income limits or residency rules. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1997, c.348) to update the age eligibility threshold.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4483: “Justin Christian El-Abiad, Robert E. Dwight, Jr., Raquan Ellis, Zahir Atkins, and Sebastien Manzalaoui Act"; revises window guard requirements in certain residential rental units and multiple dwellings.

This bill revises New Jersey's window guard requirements for residential rental units and multiple dwellings. It expands the protected group to include children under 13 (previously 10) and persons with disabilities, requiring window guards on windows in units where these individuals reside or are regularly present. Key provisions mandate that window guards must prevent falls by limiting space between the guard and window to less than four inches, include sound features like chimes, and prohibit rigid metal stops as a safety method. Landlords must install and maintain compliant guards upon tenant request, with specific notice requirements for common interest communities (like condos) to their associations. The law updates technical specifications for installation and design to enhance safety for vulnerable occupants.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 939: Establishes grant program for homeless veterans shelters.

This bill creates a grant program to help homeless veterans in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties by funding the development of shelters. Counties must apply for grants by proposing specific locations and offering property for the state to build and operate shelters. Grants are available only if the legislature appropriates funds and are awarded based on criteria set by the state's Adjutant General. The program aims to improve access to shelter services for homeless veterans who face geographic barriers in southern New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4444: Concerns exemptions to municipal rent control and rent leveling ordinances.

This bill clarifies rules for exemptions from municipal rent control in New Jersey. It specifies that only the original developer who built new rental units with initial mortgage financing can claim an exemption, and only if filed before construction completion. The exemption period is limited to the initial mortgage term, and subsequent owners cannot restart the exemption if the original filing wasn't made. This directly affects developers, landlords of new multi-dwelling properties, and municipalities enforcing rent control ordinances.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters Tenant Rights

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 794: Modifies procedures for determination and payment of fair market value in distressed municipalities; concerns real property that is abandoned, vacant, or subject to unpaid taxes.

This bill (A 794) allows distressed New Jersey municipalities (those with a revitalization index score of 50 or higher) to acquire vacant, abandoned, or tax-delinquent properties by either paying the owner the fair market value or using eminent domain. It replaces older, more cumbersome processes like tax foreclosure with simpler methods, while permitting municipalities to deduct unpaid taxes and liens from the payment amount. Properties are defined as "abandoned" if at least four specific conditions exist (e.g., overgrown vegetation, disconnected utilities, or boarded windows), but exclude properties under active renovation or seasonal use. The law directly affects distressed municipalities seeking to revitalize blighted properties and property owners of abandoned real estate.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3694: Clarifies mortgage loans to mean loans made primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

This bill clarifies that a "mortgage loan" under New Jersey law means only loans made primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, secured by residential property (including up to six dwelling units). It directly affects consumers seeking home mortgages by confirming these loans are protected from prepayment penalties under existing law. The key provision redefines the term "mortgage loan" in statute to exclude commercial loans, ensuring consumer residential mortgages fall under current protections. This change applies to all mortgage loans entered into on or after the effective date, without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 22, 2026

S 3630: Imposes various taxes and fees on operators of private prisons to offset social costs of incarceration.

This bill imposes three new fees on private prison operators in New Jersey. Operators with government contracts must pay 8% of the contract value annually, while all operators must pay $15 per inmate per day detained at their facility. Non-S corporation operators must also pay a 3% surtax on their taxable income. Revenue from these fees will fund two programs: legal services for detained and deported individuals, and community initiatives including food security, housing, job training, and youth mentorship.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Corrections Detention

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3406: Permits association of planned real estate development to file application with Department of Community Affairs to lower reserve fund obligations based on risk-mitigating features of development.

This bill (S 3406) would allow associations of planned real estate developments to apply to New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to reduce their required reserve funds. It permits reductions based on "risk-mitigating features" of the development, such as lacking high-rise or multifamily structures, which lower the likelihood of needing major capital repairs. The DCA would establish rules defining eligible features and the application process. This change would directly affect homeowners' associations in planned developments by potentially lowering their annual reserve fund contributions. The bill amends existing law (P.L.2023, c.214) but remains pending legislation, not yet enacted.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1783: Establishes "Household Water Assistance Program"; appropriates $75 million.

This bill establishes New Jersey's Household Water Assistance Program, providing financial help to low-income households struggling to pay water, sewer, and stormwater bills. It directly affects households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, those receiving specific benefits like SNAP or veterans' payments, or those facing temporary hardship (e.g., job loss, medical costs). Key provisions include direct bill assistance, debt relief for past-due payments, prevention of service disconnections, and support for water efficiency repairs. The program appropriates $75 million to cover these services, aiming to make water costs affordable while ensuring access to safe water.

Topics ✓ Housing

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