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.
This New Jersey bill requires landlords to provide two specific appliances in residential rental units to ensure habitability: a refrigerator that maintains safe food storage temperatures (32-50°F) and a stove that is safely connected (electric with sufficient capacity or gas with permanent fixtures to prevent leaks). It applies to landlords leasing standard residential units (excluding hotels, motels, or transient accommodations) for terms of at least one month. Violations carry a $500 penalty per offense, enforceable by the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Attorney General, or aggrieved tenants, who may also sue for damages including attorney fees. The law takes effect for new leases entered on or after the second month following enactment.
This bill establishes a four-year pilot program allowing low-income tenants in subsidized housing to build credit by reporting rent payments to credit bureaus. Landlords who volunteer must report tenants' rent payments (on-time, late, or missed) to approved agencies, with tenants paying a $10 monthly fee max for this service. Tenants can voluntarily join or leave the program, but must wait six months to rejoin after opting out. The program will be evaluated after two years to assess participation, tenant demographics, credit impacts, and costs before determining if it continues.
This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 77) urges Congress to pass federal legislation requiring mortgage lenders to count rent payments as part of credit assessments when evaluating homebuyers. It directly aims to help lower-income renters - particularly people of color with limited credit history - who consistently pay rent but are currently excluded from mortgage approvals due to lack of traditional credit. The resolution cites Fannie Mae's data showing 17% of previously disqualified applicants (many from marginalized groups) could qualify for mortgages if rent history were considered. It emphasizes that federal law currently blocks states from mandating this practice, making Congressional action necessary to expand homeownership opportunities.
This bill establishes a 24-month pilot program that provides monthly cash payments to up to 300 New Jersey households struggling with rent burden (rent as a percentage of income) and at risk of eviction. Eligible households will be selected via a random lottery by county, based on criteria including income, rent burden, and eviction risk. The Department of Community Affairs will administer the program, calculating monthly payments based on each household’s rent burden and income, with payments starting eight months after enactment and continuing for 24 months. The program uses state funds to cover administrative costs, outreach, and the cash transfers, and includes a post-program survey to collect data from participants and applicants.
This bill (NJ A432) requires landlords in New Jersey to inspect rental properties within 90 days for lead service lines (pipes connecting water mains to buildings) or lead plumbing. If lead pipes are found, landlords must disclose this to current tenants and provide written notice about health risks to prospective tenants before new leases. Violations carry a $500 penalty per offense, with each day of noncompliance considered a separate violation. The law directly affects all landlords of residential rental properties in New Jersey and aims to ensure tenants are informed about potential lead exposure in drinking water.
This New Jersey bill (A 1308) requires landlords to provide tenants with a written explanation when increasing rent. It directly affects all residential tenants receiving rent increase notices, mandating that the notice must explain why the increase isn't "unconscionable," confirm compliance with local rent laws, and list relevant property expenses. Landlords who fail to provide this explanation face a $500 penalty per violation or potential tenant lawsuits for $500 plus legal fees. The law aims to give tenants clearer information to challenge rent hikes before disputes escalate to court.
This New Jersey bill (A2656) increases the percentage of rental payments that count toward property tax deductions for tenants from 18% to 30%. It directly affects renters living in qualifying residential rental properties used as their principal residence. The key change modifies how "rent constituting property taxes" is calculated, allowing tenants to deduct a larger portion of their rent from gross income. This adjustment lowers taxable income for eligible renters but does not change the $15,000 deduction cap. The bill amends the Property Tax Deduction Act (N.J.S.A. 54A:3A-15 et seq.) and applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2020.
This concurrent resolution (ACR 119) urges the U.S. President and Congress to enact federal legislation similar to two 2019 bills: the "Eviction Crisis Act" and the "Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act." It directly addresses the housing crisis affecting low-income families, citing that 3 in 4 low-income households in need of housing aid are denied help, 6 million families lack stable housing, and over 150,000 New Jersey families faced eviction in 2018. The resolution requests Congress to pass comparable measures - such as improving eviction data, reducing preventable evictions, and creating 500,000 new housing vouchers - to help families spend less than half their income on housing. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new programs but formally advocates for federal action based on these specific legislative models.
This bill requires New Jersey's Bureau of Housing Inspection to create a 24/7 toll-free hotline and a statewide database for public housing residents to report health, safety, or living condition issues. The hotline must offer English and Spanish support, protect caller anonymity, and provide referrals. The database will track verified complaints by facility, complaint types, corrective actions taken, and response times, then publish this data online for public access. It directly affects residents in public housing covered under the federal Housing Act of 1937, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in addressing housing conditions.
