Housing (Tenant Rights) in New Jersey

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

A 1686: Consolidates certain affordable housing and assistance applications.

This bill creates a single online application portal for New Jersey residents to pre-apply for multiple affordable housing options (rental, for-sale, temporary, and priority housing) across the state. It consolidates 10 separate housing subsidy programs - including Section 8 vouchers, rental assistance, and homeless prevention programs - into one application that can determine final eligibility. The portal will let applicants select specific municipalities or regions and replace the current system where residents must submit duplicate applications for each program. This change aims to simplify the process for low-income residents seeking housing assistance.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

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

A 3469: Establishes "Guaranteed Rental Payment Pilot Program" for certain low-income tenants; appropriates $10,000,000.

This bill creates a pilot program to help low-income tenants with poor credit histories avoid eviction for missed rent payments. It selects 1,000 randomly chosen households from New Jersey’s State Rental Assistance Program or Section 8 voucher program (after credit counseling) to participate. If a tenant misses rent, the program pays the landlord directly but requires the tenant to repay the amount within 90 days. The program tracks default rates by credit score and reports findings to the legislature, funded by $10 million in state appropriations.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1925: Establishes "Security Deposit Assistance Pilot Program" in Passaic, Union, Essex, Hudson, Gloucester, Atlantic, Camden, and Mercer counties; appropriates $400,000.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program in eight New Jersey counties (Passaic, Union, Essex, Hudson, Gloucester, Atlantic, Camden, and Mercer) to help low-income renters cover security deposits. It appropriates $400,000 to create a dedicated fund that reimburses landlords if tenants violate leases, while requiring eligible tenants to pay 1/12 of their security deposit monthly for the first year. To qualify, households must meet "very low income" housing standards under state law and rent must not exceed 40% of their income. Landlords cannot refuse leases to participants, as this would violate the state’s anti-discrimination law. The program requires the commissioner to report on its effectiveness after three years.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1587: Directs COAH to adopt regulations to require municipalities to prioritize current residents in affordable housing applications.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to prioritize current residents when processing applications for affordable housing units. It directly affects municipalities administering affordable housing programs and current residents seeking housing. The key provision mandates that municipalities must give preference to existing residents in their communities during the application review process. This change modifies existing housing regulations to ensure local residents have first access to newly available affordable units. The policy creates a concrete requirement for municipalities to implement this residency priority in their housing allocation systems.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

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

A 2622: Establishes Rent Control Enforcement Unit in DCA; authorizes residential tenant to petition for review of alleged violation of local rent restriction.

This bill creates a Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to handle tenant complaints about rent violations. It directly affects residential tenants and landlords in municipalities with local rent control laws (like rent stabilization or limits on increases for low/moderate-income housing). Tenants can petition the RCEU to investigate and challenge rent increases they believe violate local rules, with the unit authorized to order rent reductions (as low as the lowest rate in the past year), impose penalties up to four months' rent, or allow lease termination. The unit will also provide a dedicated helpline and portal for reporting violations, operating under rules requiring tenants to first try local administrative remedies where available.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3754: Clarifies and expands landlord registration procedures; creates certain rights for tenants; makes certain changes concerning tenant notifications, inspections, and maintenance in multiple dwellings; permits percentage of affordable housing obligation to be satisfied by certain rehabilitation projects.

This bill establishes the "Landlord Registration and Tenant Protection Act" to update New Jersey's landlord registration system and strengthen tenant protections. Landlords (including owners of condos, cooperatives, and multi-unit buildings) must register with local authorities within seven days of taking ownership, providing detailed contact information like names, addresses, and phone numbers. It creates new tenant rights regarding advance notice for inspections, maintenance requests, and repairs, while also allowing landlords to meet affordable housing requirements through rehabilitation projects instead of new construction. The law directly affects landlords managing rental properties and their tenants in multiple-dwelling buildings across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Landlords Tenant Rights

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

A 3326: Makes use of algorithmic systems to influence price and supply of residential rental units unlawful.

This bill prohibits landlords and property management software companies from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental prices across multiple properties. It defines a "coordinator" as any entity operating software that collects price data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental rates or occupancy levels. The law makes it unlawful for landlords to subscribe to such services or for coordinators to facilitate price-fixing agreements that reduce competition. The bill addresses New Jersey's affordable housing crisis, where median rents for three-bedroom apartments rose 35% from 2021-2024 and over half of renters spend more than 30% of income on rent.

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 2627: Prohibits residential landlord from imposing certain surcharges for rent payments.

This New Jersey bill (A 2627) prohibits landlords from charging tenants more than $5 per month for using digital payment methods (like credit cards or online platforms) to pay rent. It directly affects renters - especially fixed-income tenants, seniors, and low-wage earners - who often face cumulative fees of hundreds of dollars annually. Landlords must cover any fees exceeding $5 per payment or reimburse tenants within 10 days, and provide itemized receipts showing compliance. Violations trigger penalties under existing housing laws, including potential consumer fraud claims.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 4326: Prohibits imposition of costs of certain realtor services on residential tenants.

This bill prohibits landlords or property managers from charging residential tenants for real estate brokerage services related to rental agreements. It directly affects renters in New Jersey who would otherwise pay fees for services like agent commissions or listing costs typically associated with securing a rental unit. The law amends existing real estate regulations to ban these charges, ensuring tenants only pay rent and standard fees outlined in their lease, not brokerage-related costs. This policy change applies to all residential rental transactions under New Jersey law.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SCR 100: Urges U.S. Secretary for Housing and Urban Development to prioritize transitional housing for homeless individuals and families, including survivors of domestic violence.

This non-binding resolution urges the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary to prioritize transitional housing programs. It specifically targets homeless individuals and families, with special emphasis on survivors of domestic violence who face barriers to permanent housing. Transitional housing provides up to 24 months of safe shelter alongside support services like financial counseling, job training, and mental health resources. The resolution highlights that current emergency shelters often limit stays to 90 days and that over half of domestic violence victims needing housing assistance do not receive it.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Mental Health Homelessness Property Development Tenant Rights

All housing bills