Landlord-tenant law

New Jersey Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for New Jersey.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

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Security Deposit Max
1.5 months' rent initially; total deposit (including annual increases) may not exceed 1 month's rent above the initial deposit
N.J. Stat. § 46:8-21.2
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Deposit Return Deadline
30 days (5 days if tenant is displaced by fire or flood)
N.J. Stat. § 46:8-21.1
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Non-Payment Eviction Notice
No mandatory pre-filing notice for nonpayment (landlord may file directly). Exception: landlords who habitually accepted late rent must give 30-day notice.
N.J. Stat. § 2A:18-61.1; § 2A:18-61.2
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Month-to-Month Termination
30 days (one month)
N.J. Stat. § 2A:18-56
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Late Fee Cap
5% of monthly rent (after 5-day grace period)
N.J. Stat. § 2A:42-10.16
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Grace Period
5 days (for most tenants); seniors 62+ protected by extended grace period
N.J. Stat. § 2A:42-10.16a
New Jersey specific notes

New Jersey has strong tenant protections. Deposits must be held in interest-bearing accounts; annual interest must be credited or paid to tenant. NJ's Anti-Eviction Act (§ 2A:18-61.1) requires just cause for all evictions of protected tenants. Newark, Jersey City, and other NJ municipalities have local rent-control ordinances — always verify local rules.

FAQ

Common New Jersey landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in New Jersey?+
1.5 months' rent initially; total deposit (including annual increases) may not exceed 1 month's rent above the initial deposit. Governed by N.J. Stat. § 46:8-21.2. Deposit must be returned within 30 days (5 days if tenant is displaced by fire or flood) after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in New Jersey for non-payment of rent?+
No mandatory pre-filing notice for nonpayment (landlord may file directly). Exception: landlords who habitually accepted late rent must give 30-day notice.. Per N.J. Stat. § 2A:18-61.1; § 2A:18-61.2. This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in New Jersey?+
30 days (one month). Per N.J. Stat. § 2A:18-56. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in New Jersey?+
5% of monthly rent (after 5-day grace period). Per N.J. Stat. § 2A:42-10.16. Grace period: 5 days (for most tenants); seniors 62+ protected by extended grace period. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for New Jersey

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Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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