Housing (Tenant Rights) in New Jersey

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

A 3995: Establishes certain requirements concerning unconscionable rent increases for residential rental properties.

This New Jersey bill (A-3995) establishes standards to determine if rent increases for residential properties are "unconscionable" (extremely unfair). It directly affects landlords and tenants by requiring courts to consider factors like landlord expenses, comparable rents in the area, tenant bargaining power, and property condition when reviewing hikes. Key provisions include shifting the burden of proof to landlords to justify increases, mandating transparency (e.g., proper registration), and giving tenants 10 days to request written justification for proposed increases. If a court finds an increase unconscionable, tenants can recover treble damages, a $2,000 penalty, and attorney fees. The bill excludes rent-controlled properties and those under affordable housing programs.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3990: Establishes NJHousing pilot program for rental assistance.

This bill establishes a 24-month pilot program providing monthly cash assistance to 300 low-income renters in New Jersey at risk of eviction. It targets households where rent consumes a high percentage of income ("rent burdened"), with eligibility based on income, rent burden, and eviction risk. Selected households receive direct monthly cash payments (no spending restrictions) calculated using a department formula, funded by a $6.55 million appropriation. The program includes random county-based lottery selection, public outreach, and post-program surveys to evaluate impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 259: Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings.

This bill criminalizes squatting in vacant homes by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering without permission to live there), "unlawful occupancy" (living in a vacant home without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning after being evicted via court order). It presumes people know they lack permission unless they have a notarized rental agreement with the owner's contact details. The law directly affects individuals occupying vacant properties without legal authorization, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The bill aims to replace current eviction processes with criminal penalties for unauthorized occupancy.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole Tenant Rights

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

A 2585: Requires notice of development applications be given to residential tenants on that property.

This bill (A2585) requires developers to provide written notice of upcoming development hearings to residential tenants living on the property at least 10 days before the hearing. It directly affects tenants in residential buildings where development applications are filed, ensuring they receive notice about proposed changes impacting their living environment. The notice must be delivered via mail or personal service to the tenant's address on file, as specified in the amended notice requirements under New Jersey law. This policy change aims to improve tenant participation in local development decisions affecting their homes.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Development Tenant Rights

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

A 4136: Establishes five-year housing advisory plan.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to create and update a five-year housing advisory plan. It directly affects all state residents, with specific focus on homeless and near-homeless individuals and vulnerable populations. The plan must assess housing market trends, identify needs across income groups, inventory affordable housing supply, track progress toward meeting needs, and pinpoint regulatory barriers to affordable housing development. The department must submit the initial plan to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Housing Affordability within 18 months of enactment, with updated versions every five years thereafter.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 3997: Prohibits class action waivers in residential rental agreements for claims arising from violations of rent control laws.

This New Jersey bill (A3997) prohibits landlords from including class action waivers in rental agreements for claims related to rent control law violations. If passed, such waivers would be void, making it illegal for landlords to prevent tenants from joining class-action lawsuits over rent control issues. Landlords violating this would face a $1,000 penalty per affected unit and could be liable for tenant damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law would apply immediately to all current and future rental agreements, including past rent control violations.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1669: Requires landlord to attach certificate of inspection or occupancy to residential lease.

This bill (A 1669) requires landlords in New Jersey to attach a copy of a municipal inspection or occupancy certificate to residential leases and deliver it to tenants at lease signing, with tenants acknowledging receipt by initialing the certificate. Landlords must provide this certificate within 30 days if omitted, or tenants may void the lease and vacate without further payment. If a tenant exercises this right, landlords must return security deposits plus interest within 30 days. The bill directly affects landlords of units subject to municipal inspection requirements and ensures tenants know rental units have passed safety inspections before moving in.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 2089: Requires establishment of residential rental habitability database and provides certain penalties and causes of action concerning residential leases.

This bill requires New Jersey to create a statewide database tracking habitability violations in rental properties, including court-verified issues (like unsafe conditions), municipal citations (e.g., for fire safety or utilities), and defect categories (e.g., hazardous or persistent problems). Landlords who fail to comply face penalties: $500 for a first violation and $1,000 for subsequent offenses, plus potential tenant lawsuits seeking the same penalties plus attorney fees. Tenants gain new legal recourse by filing lawsuits in local courts to recover these penalties, and landlords must include specific lease clauses about attorney fee recovery if they seek fees from tenants. The database will be accessible in court cases, with its contents treated as evidence.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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

A 3322: "Homeless Bill of Rights."

New Jersey's A-3322, the "Homeless Bill of Rights," prohibits discrimination against homeless residents in public spaces, services, employment, healthcare, voting, and privacy. It guarantees homeless individuals the same rights as other residents, including free movement in public areas, equal treatment by government agencies, protection from employment discrimination due to lack of permanent address, access to emergency medical care, and confidentiality of shelter records. The bill allows individuals to sue for violations and seek court-ordered remedies, damages, and attorney fees. It directly affects all homeless residents in New Jersey by legally protecting their access to public life and services without housing status discrimination.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Homelessness Tenant Rights Employment Discrimination

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

A 4242: Extends grace periods for rental late charges for certain tenants who receive public assistance payments.

This bill extends the existing 5-business-day grace period for rental late fees to begin only after a tenant receives their monthly public assistance payment. It directly affects tenants receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability benefits, or Work First New Jersey payments. Under the bill, landlords cannot charge late fees before the tenant’s public assistance payment date, and leases must list when these payments are scheduled. The grace period now starts after the public assistance payment is received, not just the rent due date, preventing late fees during the waiting period for benefits. This applies to the same tenant groups currently covered under New Jersey’s rental grace period law.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

All housing bills