Housing (Renters)

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

A 750: Removes initial mortgage period on new construction from exemptions to municipal rent control and rent leveling ordinances.

This bill repeals exemptions that previously allowed new construction to be exempt from municipal rent control and rent leveling rules during an initial mortgage period. It requires new housing developments to comply with local rent control ordinances from the start, rather than having a temporary exemption. The change applies to new construction projects with development applications submitted after the bill's effective date. This directly affects developers and landlords of new residential buildings in municipalities with rent control or rent leveling laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves exemption allowing new construction to bypass rent control, requiring immediate compliance with tenant protection ordinances. Strengthens tenant rights by eliminating temporary rent control exemption for new units.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 484: Permits certain local units and authorities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons.

New Jersey bill A-484 allows local sewer and water authorities to create programs reducing monthly fees for low-income residents. It directly affects households with incomes at or below federal poverty guidelines (capped at existing state assistance thresholds), requiring applicants to own or rent a dwelling unit and meet specific residency criteria. Authorities must establish eligibility procedures, verify income documentation, and ensure sufficient budget funds to cover reduced revenue before implementing these fee cuts. The bill also requires authorities to advertise available reductions to residents and prohibits overlapping discounts with existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces utility fees for low-income households, providing fiscal relief and aligning with tax relief indicators for lower income while requiring budget adjustments by authorities.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces utility fees for low-income households meeting federal poverty guidelines, directly advancing affordability by lowering housing cost burdens for eligible residents.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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

A 1766: Establishes guidelines for creditworthiness determinations concerning affordable housing programs.

This bill bans landlords from using credit scores or credit reports to screen applicants for affordable housing programs. It directly affects low- and moderate-income renters applying for subsidized housing or units restricted to income-eligible households. The law requires landlords to conduct individualized assessments of applicants' ability to pay rent, rather than relying on credit scores, which often unfairly reject tenants facing financial hardship. It also defines key terms like "affordable housing applicant" and specifies income thresholds based on rent share, not total rent.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans credit score screening for affordable housing, protecting low-income tenants from financial bias and requiring individualized rent assessments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3498: Authorizes residential tenant action for alleged unconscionable rent increase; appropriates $2 million.

This bill establishes a process for New Jersey residential tenants to challenge rent increases they believe are "unconscionable" (excessively high). Landlords must provide tenants with a detailed written rationale for rent hikes within 10 days of a tenant's written request, including specific data on Consumer Price Index changes, property expenses, profitability, market comparisons, and property condition. Tenants can then negotiate a lower rent or, if unresolved before the new lease term begins, file a court case where the landlord bears the burden of proving the increase is reasonable. The law directly affects tenants receiving rent increase notices and landlords managing residential properties in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 million for tenant rent challenge process, directly funding a public service program under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes tenant protections against unconscionable rent increases by requiring landlord justification and dispute resolution, directly strengthening tenant rights in housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 3507: Establishes standards for determining an unconscionable rent increase; excludes from public access landlord tenant records in certain circumstances.

This bill establishes clear standards for courts to determine if a rent increase is "unconscionable" (extremely unfair), directly affecting landlords and tenants in New Jersey. Courts must consider factors like the rent amount, landlord expenses, comparable local rents (including HUD data), tenant bargaining power, and property condition, with landlords bearing the burden of proof. It also excludes certain eviction court records from public access - specifically dismissed cases and cases where possession was granted over seven years ago - while exempting rent-controlled properties or regulated housing programs. The law codifies existing court practices to provide consistent, objective criteria for rent disputes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes court standards to prevent unconscionable rent hikes, places burden on landlords to protect tenants, directly strengthening tenant protections in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 2589: Establishes confidentiality of court records of landlord-tenant disputes after five years.

This bill requires New Jersey court records related to landlord-tenant disputes (such as evictions or rent collection cases) to become permanently confidential to the public starting five years after the case was filed. After this five-year period, landlords, tenant screening services, and the public cannot access these records unless a court specifically approves disclosure for public interest, while removing all tenant-identifying information. Landlords are also prohibited from using these old court records when screening new tenants. Public entities must ensure these records remain confidential, though demographic data about eviction trends (without tenant names or addresses) may still be used for research.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents landlords from using old tenant dispute records, reducing barriers to housing access and strengthening tenant protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 4322: Concerns prohibition of certain residential tenant evictions and removals due to residential foreclosure during federal government shutdown.

This bill (A4322) protects specific tenants during federal government shutdowns by preventing evictions or foreclosures from residential properties. It applies to federal employees furloughed without pay or recipients of SNAP (food assistance) benefits. During a shutdown, the Governor may issue an executive order halting enforcement of eviction/foreclosure judgments for these "eligible residents," with the order lasting up to one month after the shutdown ends. Exceptions allow enforcement if the court deems it necessary for justice or if the eviction is unrelated to rent nonpayment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents evictions/foreclosures for furloughed federal employees and SNAP recipients during shutdowns, directly strengthening tenant protections during financial hardship.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 2081: Prohibits landlords from requiring rent to be paid by certain means of payment or at any off-site location.

This bill prohibits landlords in New Jersey from restricting how tenants pay rent or where they must pay it. Specifically, landlords cannot require rent to be paid only by cash, check, or card, must accept all standard payment methods, and cannot demand payment outside the building or charge fees for common payment methods. It applies to all residential leases signed after enactment and requires landlords to accept cash, checks, or card payments made by tenants. Violations are punishable as disorderly persons offenses, with fines up to $1,000 or six months in jail.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from restricting payment methods, protecting tenant rights by ensuring acceptance of standard payments without fees or off-site requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1432: Establishes disabled veteran tenant gross income tax credit.

This bill establishes a nonrefundable tax credit for disabled veterans in New Jersey who rent residential property. It allows qualifying disabled veterans to claim a credit of up to $1,000 annually for the portion of their rent that covers property taxes (calculated as 18% of rent paid). Married veterans filing separately each receive half the credit, and veterans sharing housing with non-spouses can only claim credit for their own rent payments. The credit applies in addition to existing rent tax credits for seniors or other disabled renters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a tax credit for disabled veterans to reduce rent-related tax burden, providing targeted tax relief for a vulnerable group.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit reducing rent burden for disabled veterans, directly advancing affordable housing access for vulnerable tenants.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes tax credit expanding financial benefits for disabled veterans' housing costs, directly advancing veteran support through tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Renters Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 3481: Revises "Homelessness Prevention Program"; requires new charge for filing of eviction action.

This bill adds a new fee for landlords filing eviction actions related to unpaid rent in New Jersey. It targets renters facing imminent homelessness due to inability to pay rent, requiring them to be New Jersey residents with income under 80% of area median income and not hiding assets. The bill also changes how mortgage-related homelessness assistance is provided, requiring it as a secured loan (not direct cash) for owner-occupied homes. Eligibility includes prioritizing vulnerable groups like seniors, disabled individuals, domestic violence victims, and families with children facing separation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill targets homelessness prevention by adding eviction fees for unpaid rent, prioritizing low-income renters (under 80% AMI), and changing mortgage aid to secured loans for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters Tenant Rights

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