Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3050: Creates program for installing standby emergency power generators in new senior housing.

This bill requires new senior housing complexes (where at least 90% of units are occupied by residents aged 62 or older) to install standby emergency power generators. It mandates weekly checks, monthly load testing, and annual servicing of these generators to ensure reliable power during outages, prioritizing resident health and safety. Generators must comply with Department of Environmental Protection regulations on air pollution. The law applies to newly constructed buildings where construction permits were not finalized before the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✓ Housing

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 2192: Requires landlords to disclose existence of lead service lines and lead water supply plumbing to tenants.

This bill (S 2192) requires New Jersey landlords to inspect rental properties within 90 days of the law taking effect to identify lead service lines (pipes connecting water mains to buildings) or lead plumbing. Landlords must then disclose this information to current tenants and provide written notice about lead risks to prospective tenants before new leases are signed. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per offense, with daily violations considered separate offenses. The law directly affects landlords of rental properties and their tenants by mandating transparency about potential lead exposure in drinking water.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords

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 2254: Concerns notification requirements for certain utility assistance programs; repeals law establishing notification requirements for public and local utilities during coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

S 2254 repeals a law requiring utilities to notify customers about assistance programs during the coronavirus pandemic (P.L.2021, c.97). It updates existing requirements so that electric, gas, water, and sewer utilities must prominently display information about available programs - like the Winter Termination Program and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program - on residential customer bills and communications about overdue payments. The bill mandates that this information include websites and phone numbers for assistance, in English and the most common non-English language in the customer's area. It maintains the core obligation for utilities to share program details but removes the pandemic-specific mandate. The repeal takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

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 1097: Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities with 1.5 units of fair share affordable housing obligation for each unit of transitional housing occupied by a veteran.

New Jersey bill S 1097 would allow municipalities to count each unit of transitional housing occupied by a veteran as 1.5 units toward their state-mandated affordable housing obligation. This applies to transitional housing with supportive services that helps veterans move to permanent housing within 24 months, requiring affordability for veterans for at least 10 years. The bill directly affects local governments (municipalities) by providing a new credit mechanism to meet housing requirements and veterans accessing transitional housing. It amends existing law (P.L.1985, c.222) to specifically include qualifying veteran housing in fair share calculations.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1816: Requires Division of Purchase and Property to issue annual report on State-owned underutilized real property with potential for other uses.

S 1816 requires New Jersey's Division of Purchase and Property to create an annual report on state-owned properties that are underutilized (not fully used for their current purpose). The Division must inventory all such state-owned land - including property owned by agencies or authorities - and analyze its potential for redevelopment, including uses like affordable housing, homeless services, or health services for low/moderate-income residents. This report must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within 13 months of the bill's effective date, then updated annually, with the report posted online. The bill directly affects the Division of Purchase and Property and state agencies managing property, but does not mandate specific actions - only requires the annual analysis and reporting.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2909: Prohibits sewerage authorities, municipal authorities, and local units of government from charging interest on unpaid sewer fees and charges attributable to State or local entities, including housing authorities.

This bill prohibits sewerage authorities from charging interest on unpaid sewer fees for properties owned by the State, local governments, or their agencies (including housing authorities). It amends existing law to explicitly exclude these entities from interest charges that previously applied to unpaid sewer service fees. The key change removes the 1.5% monthly interest rate and lien rights for these properties, while maintaining standard collection procedures for other property owners. The policy directly affects state/local government entities and housing authorities that pay sewer fees for their properties.

Topics ✓ Housing

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