Housing (Seniors)

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.

S 258 requires landlords of public housing for seniors to waive late fees for tenants who are hospitalized or admitted to a health care facility. It mandates that landlords accept written proof of hospitalization to eliminate late charges during the stay and for five business days after discharge. Tenants remain responsible for rent due before lease termination, and the grace period doesn’t apply if they’re immediately admitted to another facility without returning home. Violations carry fines up to $500, enforced by the Attorney General. This bill directly affects seniors aged 62+ (or surviving spouses 55+) in subsidized senior housing.