Housing (Renters) in New Jersey

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

A 1991: Restricts landlord from imposing charge on applicant or tenant for keeping pets in residential rental units.

This New Jersey bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants (including applicants) extra rent, fees, or security deposits for keeping pets in residential rentals. Landlords may only charge a single, refundable pet security deposit of up to $500, which must be included within the existing total security deposit limit. The law bans any lease terms requiring pet-related fees and allows tenants to sue landlords for violations, seeking $1,000 per offense plus legal fees. It directly affects renters with pets and landlords managing residential properties (excluding hotels/motels).

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3996: Requires certain record keeping related to municipal rent control compliance; appropriates $2 million.

This bill (A 3996) requires landlords in New Jersey municipalities with rent control ordinances to submit annual compliance forms to their local clerk, detailing unit information, rent registrations, exemptions, complaints, and enforcement actions. Municipalities must maintain and publicly share these records online through a new Department of Community Affairs internet system, with $2 million appropriated to fund municipal digitization efforts. Landlords face a $150 civil penalty for knowingly submitting false information, and missing or incomplete records create a legal presumption that rent control applies to the unit. The bill directly affects landlords in rent-controlled areas and municipal clerks responsible for record-keeping.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 271: Increases annual income limit for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement.

This bill raises the annual income limit for New Jersey residents to qualify for homestead property tax reimbursement. It increases the threshold from $80,000 (for tax years 2009-2016) to $100,000 or less for both single and married individuals in tax year 2017 and subsequent years. The reimbursement program assists seniors (65+) and disabled residents who own or rent homes as their primary residence and meet income requirements. This change directly affects eligible homeowners and renters whose income falls below the new $100,000 cap, expanding access to tax relief. The policy modifies eligibility criteria without altering the program's core mechanism of reimbursing the difference between current and base-year property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters

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

A 755: Establishes certain notice and compensation requirements for residential tenant displaced for purpose of renovation.

Bill A 755 requires landlords to compensate residential tenants $12 months' rent plus the cost of a moving truck/van when displacing them for renovation purposes. It applies when landlords: (1) file eviction actions citing renovation, (2) falsely claim renovation as the reason for personal occupancy, or (3) actually renovate within six months of displacement. Landlords must pay compensation 5 days before move-out (for eviction cases) or within 5 days of displacement (for occupancy cases), with 18% annual interest for late payments. Unpaid amounts become a priority lien on the property, recorded with the county clerk, to secure tenant compensation.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3989: Restricts use and sale of algorithmic devices for establishing rent price or occupancy of residential property.

New Jersey's A-3989 prohibits landlords from using or purchasing algorithmic software that sets, recommends, or advises on residential rent prices or occupancy rates. It specifically bans tools analyzing non-public competitor data (like actual rent prices or lease details from other landlords) to coordinate pricing, including AI-based systems. The bill exempts aggregated rental reports published by trade associations and tools used for government affordable housing programs. Violations trigger penalties under New Jersey's Antitrust Act, such as fines up to $500 per day per unit or criminal charges, and do not restrict landlords from setting rents based on public data or internal management.

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Landlords Renters Artificial Intelligence

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

A 1667: Criminalizes certain actions of individuals who offer rental of residential property that they do not own or legally possess.

This bill makes it a crime for someone to falsely claim ownership or possession of a residential rental property they don’t legally own or control, with the intent to rent it out or gain a benefit. Violations are classified as fourth-degree crimes (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine) and also violate New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act. It specifically targets "imposter landlords" who misuse online platforms like Craigslist to rent properties they don’t own, while exempting actual tenants, subtenants, and real estate professionals acting in good faith. The law does not apply to internet platforms or override existing civil/criminal liabilities for fraud or theft.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters

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

A 3403: Limits increases to certain recurring fees charged to residential tenant.

This New Jersey bill (A 3403) limits how much landlords can increase certain recurring fees charged to residential tenants. It prohibits landlords from raising fees like pet, parking, or amenity charges by more than 10% within any 12-month period, with exceptions for initial fees in new tenancies. Tenants can seek remedies including lease termination, $1,000 penalties per violation per unit, and recovery of legal fees if landlords exceed the limit. The bill directly affects residential landlords and tenants in New Jersey and does not override existing rent control laws or eviction procedures. It is currently pending before the Assembly Housing Committee.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3994: Enhances oversight of enforcement of municipal rent control and rent leveling ordinances; establishes Rental Control Ombudsman in DCA; appropriates $4 million.

This bill (A 3994) strengthens enforcement of local rent control and rent leveling laws in New Jersey municipalities. It directly affects tenants in rent-controlled areas by creating new tools to hold municipalities accountable when they fail to enforce these ordinances. Key provisions include establishing a Rental Control Ombudsman in the Department of Community Affairs to handle complaints and refer cases to the Attorney General, and allowing tenants (or tenant associations) to sue municipalities for non-enforcement after 30 days of missed deadlines or no response. The bill appropriates $4 million total ($2 million to the Attorney General and $2 million to fund the Ombudsman's office) to support these enforcement mechanisms, which take effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4218: Provides rental and lease protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

This bill protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from housing discrimination. Landlords cannot evict, refuse to renew, or deny rentals based on a tenant’s victim status. To qualify, tenants must provide documentation like restraining orders, law enforcement records, medical reports, or certifications from domestic violence specialists. Violating this law could lead to civil lawsuits where victims recover damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The bill amends New Jersey's eviction statutes to explicitly prohibit housing decisions based on victim status.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Domestic Violence Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1198: Requires reservation of portion of funding under State rental assistance program for households ineligible for federal Section 8 program due to leave resulting from pregnancy or newborn care needs.

This bill (A 1198) requires New Jersey's State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) to reserve a portion of its funds specifically for households that cannot access federal Section 8 housing assistance due to time taken off work for pregnancy or newborn care (within six months). It directly affects low-income pregnant individuals or new parents who currently face barriers to federal Section 8 participation because their pregnancy or childcare responsibilities don't qualify for federal exemptions. The key mechanism reserves existing SRAP funds - without creating new money - for this group, supplementing the state program already designed for those ineligible for federal help. This creates a targeted state-level housing support option for a specific gap in federal policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Renters

All housing bills