Home · Landlord-tenant rules · New Jersey
Deposit, notice, and late-fee figures cited to the state statute.
| Rule | Rule text |
|---|---|
| Security deposit cap | An owner or lessee may not require more than 1 1/2 times 1 month's rental as security for a dwelling. When additional security is collected, the amount collected annually shall not be greater than 10 percent of the current security deposit. N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Notice for a rent increase | Failure to pay rent after a valid notice to quit and notice of increase of that rent is a ground for removal, if the increase is not unconscionable and complies with other laws or municipal ordinances governing rent increases. N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f). As of 2026-10-09. |
| Eviction notice | No judgment of possession shall be entered for premises covered by N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, except for nonpayment of rent under subsection a. or f., unless the landlord has made written demand and given written notice for delivery of possession. The required notice is three days for disorderly conduct, injury to the premises, or grounds under subsection m., n., o., p., q., or r.; one month for a continued violation of rules and regulations, a substantial breach of covenant, or habitual failure to pay rent; three months for grounds under subsection g.; 18 months for permanent retirement from the rental market, and no action may be instituted until a current lease expires; one month for refusal to accept reasonable lease changes; two months for grounds under subsection l., and no action until a written lease expires; and three years for grounds under subsection k., and no action until a written lease expires. In public housing, the notice period for a substantial breach follows federal regulations for public housing leases. N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2. As of 2026-10-09. |
An owner or lessee may not require more than 1 1/2 times 1 month's rental as security for a dwelling. When additional security is collected, the amount collected annually shall not be greater than 10 percent of the current security deposit.
No judgment of possession shall be entered for premises covered by N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, except for nonpayment of rent under subsection a. or f., unless the landlord has made written demand and given written notice for delivery of possession. The required notice is three days for disorderly conduct, injury to the premises, or grounds under subsection m., n., o., p., q., or r.; one month for a continued violation of rules and regulations, a substantial breach of covenant, or habitual failure to pay rent; three months for grounds under subsection g.; 18 months for permanent retirement from the rental market, and no action may be instituted until a current lease expires; one month for refusal to accept reasonable lease changes; two months for grounds under subsection l., and no action until a written lease expires; and three years for grounds under subsection k., and no action until a written lease expires. In public housing, the notice period for a substantial breach follows federal regulations for public housing leases.
Figures are from New Jersey statutes, retrieved 2026-10-09. Primary sources: https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/44283/44474, https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/112/670, https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/112/679.
An owner or lessee may not require more than 1 1/2 times 1 month's rental as security for a dwelling. When additional security is collected, the amount collected annually shall not be greater than 10 percent of the current security deposit. Source: N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2, https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/44283/44474, as of 2026-10-09.
Failure to pay rent after a valid notice to quit and notice of increase of that rent is a ground for removal, if the increase is not unconscionable and complies with other laws or municipal ordinances governing rent increases. Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f), https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/112/670, as of 2026-10-09.
No judgment of possession shall be entered for premises covered by N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, except for nonpayment of rent under subsection a. or f., unless the landlord has made written demand and given written notice for delivery of possession. The required notice is three days for disorderly conduct, injury to the premises, or grounds under subsection m., n., o., p., q., or r.; one month for a continued violation of rules and regulations, a substantial breach of covenant, or habitual failure to pay rent; three months for grounds under subsection g.; 18 months for permanent retirement from the rental market, and no action may be instituted until a current lease expires; one month for refusal to accept reasonable lease changes; two months for grounds under subsection l., and no action until a written lease expires; and three years for grounds under subsection k., and no action until a written lease expires. In public housing, the notice period for a substantial breach follows federal regulations for public housing leases. Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2, https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/112/679, as of 2026-10-09.
Estimates for planning; not tax/legal advice.