New Jersey Residential Lease Agreement
New Jersey caps most security deposits at 1.5 months' rent (1 exception applies), and requires its return within 30 days after the lease ends.
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New Jersey lease rules at a glance
New Jersey lease disclosures checklist
At or before move-in, give the Truth in Renting statement, a copy of the landlord registration certificate and the emergency-assistance list notice; before signing, give the Flood Risk notice and include the flood-insurance statement in the lease; and for pre-1978 units attach the lead-safe certification and give the federal lead-paint disclosure (N.J.S.A. 46:8-29, 46:8-29.1, 46:8-46, 46:8-50, 52:27D-437.16). (N.J.S.A. 46:8-29, 46:8-29.1, 46:8-46, 46:8-50, 52:27D-437.16, NJ DCA, Truth in Renting (rev. Aug. 2025), pp. 2, 31)
- DCA Truth in Renting statement of tenant and landlord rights (also posted on the premises) — At or before move-in (not required for buildings of 2 or fewer units or owner-occupied buildings of 3 or fewer)N.J.S.A. 46:8-46
- Copy of the landlord's certificate of registration (owner and agent contact information) — At the start of each new tenancy, and within 7 days of filing an amended certificateN.J.S.A. 46:8-29
- Notice that the municipal clerk keeps a list of residents needing special help in an emergency — At the creation of the tenancy (once the clerk has notified the landlord)N.J.S.A. 46:8-29.1
- DCA model 'Flood Risk' notice: whether the property is in a FEMA 100-year or 500-year flood zone and any known flood history; plus the statutory renters' flood insurance notice in the lease — Before lease signing or renewal (not required for buildings of 2 or fewer units, owner-occupied buildings of 3 or fewer, or seasonal rentals under 120 days)N.J.S.A. 46:8-50
- Evidence of a valid lead-safe certification, attached as an exhibit to the lease — At tenant turnover in pre-1978 rental units that must be inspectedN.J.S.A. 52:27D-437.16(e)(2)
- Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet — Housing built before 197842 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart F
MakeLease generates a customizable lease; add these New Jersey disclosures and terms.
Before you sign in New Jersey
- Deposit cap exceptions in New Jersey
- One and one-half months' rent; any annual increase limited to 10% of the current deposit N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2, NJ DCA, Truth in Renting (rev. Aug. 2025), p. 12, citing N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2 and 46:8-26, N.J.S.A. 46:8-26
- Owner-occupied premises with not more than two rental units, unless the tenant gives the landlord 30 days' written notice invoking the Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-26): no cap
- If a deposit is withheld wrongly
- A court that finds for the tenant in a deposit-return action must award double the amount due plus full costs, and may also award reasonable attorney fees (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1, NJ DCA, Truth in Renting (rev. Aug. 2025), p. 14)
- Deductions from the deposit
- Landlords who make deductions must send an itemized list of them by registered or certified mail within 30 days after the tenancy ends (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1, NJ DCA, Truth in Renting (rev. Aug. 2025), p. 14)
- Interest on the deposit
- Landlords must keep deposits in an interest-bearing New Jersey account and pay or credit the interest to the tenant every year (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, NJ DCA, Truth in Renting (rev. Aug. 2025), p. 13, citing N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 and 46:8-19.1)
- Rent control and increases
- New Jersey has no statewide rent control, but municipalities may adopt rent control or rent leveling ordinances, so check the local ordinance before raising rent (NJ DCA, Truth in Renting; N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f)). (NJ DCA, Truth in Renting (rev. Aug. 2025), 'Rent Control/Rent Increases', N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f))
No statewide rent control, but the state does not preempt local rent control: many municipalities have rent control or rent leveling ordinances enforced by local boards. Per the DCA Truth in Renting guide, newly constructed multiple dwellings can be exempt from local rent control for a period under the Newly Constructed Multiple Dwellings Law (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.5).
- If rent goes unpaid
- New Jersey requires no notice to quit before filing an eviction for unpaid rent; the Anti-Eviction Act exempts nonpayment from its written-demand rule, though federally subsidized tenancies need a 14-day notice (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a), 2A:18-61.2). (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a), 2A:18-61.2, NJ DCA, Truth in Renting (rev. Aug. 2025), 'Causes for Eviction')
New Jersey lease FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New Jersey?
Landlords may not collect a security deposit above one and one-half months' rent, and any yearly increase may not exceed 10% of the current deposit (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2).
How long does a New Jersey landlord have to return a security deposit?
Landlords must return the deposit plus interest, less itemized deductions, by personal delivery or registered or certified mail within 30 days after the tenancy ends (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Is there a limit on late fees in New Jersey?
New Jersey has no statewide cap on residential late fees, but the fee must be stated in the lease and courts treat it as rent in eviction cases only when the lease says so (DCA Truth in Renting, pp. 2–3) (NJ DCA, Truth in Renting (rev. Aug. 2025), pp. 2–3 and 18–19). Only tenants who are seniors receiving Social Security or equivalent government pensions, or who receive SSDI, SSI or Work First New Jersey benefits, and whose rent is due on the 1st, get a statutory 5-business-day grace period before a late fee; other New Jersey tenants have no statutory grace period (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-6.1, -6.3).
How much notice must a New Jersey landlord give before entering a rental?
In a New Jersey multiple dwelling (three or more units), tenants must allow the landlord in for inspections and required repairs on reasonable notice, which ordinarily means one day, with immediate access in safety or structural emergencies (N.J.A.C. 5:10-5.1(c)).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in New Jersey?
Most New Jersey landlords cannot end a month-to-month tenancy without a statutory good cause under the Anti-Eviction Act; owners of owner-occupied buildings with two or fewer rental units may end it with one month's notice to quit (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1; 2A:18-56(b)).
What disclosures does a New Jersey lease need?
At or before move-in, give the Truth in Renting statement, a copy of the landlord registration certificate and the emergency-assistance list notice; before signing, give the Flood Risk notice and include the flood-insurance statement in the lease; and for pre-1978 units attach the lead-safe certification and give the federal lead-paint disclosure (N.J.S.A. 46:8-29, 46:8-29.1, 46:8-46, 46:8-50, 52:27D-437.16). The list covers DCA Truth in Renting statement of tenant and landlord rights (also posted on the premises), Copy of the landlord's certificate of registration (owner and agent contact information), Notice that the municipal clerk keeps a list of residents needing special help in an emergency, DCA model 'Flood Risk' notice: whether the property is in a FEMA 100-year or 500-year flood zone and any known flood history; plus the statutory renters' flood insurance notice in the lease, Evidence of a valid lead-safe certification, attached as an exhibit to the lease and Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet.
More on renting in New Jersey
- New Jersey landlord-tenant law — every topic in full, compared with neighbouring states
- New Jersey security deposit law — limit, return deadline and a deadline calculator
- Delaware residential lease agreement
- New York residential lease agreement
- Pennsylvania residential lease agreement
- Notice to vacate
- Lead paint disclosure
- Lease agreements for other states
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