STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Increases penalty for landlord in violation of "The Truth-in-Renting Act" from $100 to $1,000; permits tenant to recover reasonable attorney's fees.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act increasing penalty for violation of "The Truth-in-Renting Act," and amending P.L.1975, c.310.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 5 of P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-47) is amended to read as follows:
5. Any landlord who violates any provision of [this act] P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-43 et seq.), contrary to the legal rights of tenants, shall be liable to a penalty of [not more than $100.00] $1,000 for each offense. Such penalty shall be collected and enforced by summary proceedings pursuant to ["the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.)] the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The tenant shall be permitted to recover the penalty, reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, expenses for expert witnesses, and other related fees and expenses incurred in proving a violation of P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-43 et seq.). The Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part in the county in which the rental premises are located shall have jurisdiction over such proceedings. Process shall be in the nature of a summons or warrant, and shall issue upon the complaint of the commissioner, the Attorney General, or any other person.
(cf: P.L.1991, c.91, s.460)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill increases the penalty against a landlord who violates the "The Truth-in-Renting Act," P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-43 et seq.), from $100 to $1,000. "The Truth-in-Renting Act," with certain exceptions:
· requires a landlord to distribute a guidance document, on the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, known as the Truth-in-Renting Guide, to their residential tenants;
· prohibits a landlord from requiring electronic payment;
· requires a landlord to provide a receipt for cash payments made by a tenant; and
· requires a landlord to accept rent by certain payment methods within three business days following a lockout after an eviction order has been entered, which provides a tenant the opportunity to be restored to the rental unit.
The bill makes a landlord in violation of this statute liable for the increased penalty.
The bill also permits the tenant to recover reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, expenses for expert witnesses, and other related fees and expenses incurred in proving a violation of "The Truth-in-Renting Act."