Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Last verified: · Confidence: low
New Jersey landlord deadlines
Statewide rules for New Jersey. Cities and counties can add their own rules. Statutes and agency pages: nj.gov.
Return deposit plus interest, with itemized deductions, within 30 days after tenancy ends Verified
Deadline: Within 30 days after move-out
Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, return the deposit plus interest minus lawful deductions by personal delivery, registered or certified mail, with an itemized list of deductions sent by registered or certified mail.
Applies to: any number of units, some owner-occupied buildings exempt, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: New Jersey · Topic: Security deposit return
Who it covers: Security Deposit Law does not apply to owner-occupied 2- or 3-family dwellings unless the tenant makes a written request (applies 30 days later) (N.J.S.A. 46:8-26). 5 business days if the tenant is displaced by fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation.
"Within 30 days after the termination of a tenancy, a landlord must return the security deposit, plus interest earned less deductions, to the tenant (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1)." nj.gov
"an itemized list of these deductions must also be sent to the tenant by registered or certified mail within 30 days from the termination of the tenancy." nj.gov
Notes: N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1, summarized in DCA's Truth in Renting guide. Statute text on njleg.gov not snapshotted. If a tenant breaks the lease, the 30 days start when the unit is re-rented or the lease expires, whichever is first. Tenant may sue for double the amount wrongfully withheld.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Written notice of bank/account details within 30 days of receiving deposit Verified
Deadline: Within 30 days after the lease starts
Within 30 days of receiving a deposit, tell the tenant in writing the name and address of the bank, the deposit amount, the type of account and its current interest rate. Also notify within 30 days of moving the deposit or transferring it to a new owner.
Who it covers: Security Deposit Law does not apply to owner-occupied 2- or 3-family dwellings unless the tenant makes a written request (applies 30 days later) (N.J.S.A. 46:8-26).
"Within 30 days of receipt of the security deposit and at the time of each annual interest payment, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing of the name and address of the banking institution ... the amount of the deposit, type of account, and current rate of interest for the account." nj.gov
Notes: N.J.S.A. 46:8-19. Anchor 'lease-start' approximates the date the deposit is received. Deposit cap: 1.5x monthly rent.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Pay or credit deposit interest annually (lease anniversary or January 31) with annual notice Verified
Deadline: Each year on the lease anniversary, or every January 31 if you told the tenant in writing you use that schedule
Each year, pay deposit interest to the tenant in cash or credit it toward rent on the lease renewal/anniversary (or on January 31 if you notified the tenant of that schedule), and repeat the written bank/account notice at that time.
Applies to: any number of units, some owner-occupied buildings exempt, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: New Jersey · Topic: Security deposit interest
Who it covers: Security Deposit Law does not apply to owner-occupied 2- or 3-family dwellings unless the tenant makes a written request (applies 30 days later) (N.J.S.A. 46:8-26). Alternative date: January 31 each year if the tenant was told in writing that interest is paid on January 31.
"shall be paid to the tenant in cash or credited toward rent due and owing on the renewal or anniversary of the tenant’s lease or on January 31, if the tenant has been given written notice, that the interest payments will be paid on January 31 of each year" nj.gov
Notes: If the landlord fails, tenant may (after written notice and 30 days) apply the deposit plus 7% annual interest to rent.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Landlord registration statement for 1-2 unit non-owner-occupied rentals (municipal clerk); amend within 20 days of changes Verified
Deadline: File before renting (no eviction allowed while unregistered); amend within 20 days after any change; notify tenants within 7 days of filing an amendment
Owners of non-owner-occupied 1-2 family rentals must file a landlord registration statement with the municipal clerk, give it to tenants and post it, and file an amendment within 20 days of any change.
Who it covers: 1-2 family non-owner-occupied: file with the municipal clerk. Owner-occupied two-family homes exempt. Give a copy to each tenant and post it. Many municipalities layer their own registration/fees.
"A landlord who owns a one or two-family non-owner-occupied home is required by law to file a registration statement with the clerk of the municipality in which the building is located." nj.gov
"must file an amended registration with the correct agency (Bureau of Housing Inspection or clerk of the municipality) within 20 days after any changes to the information on the certificate." nj.gov
Notes: N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to -37. Unregistered landlords cannot obtain eviction judgments until they comply.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Register 3+ unit buildings with DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection; certificate of registration filed annually Verified
Deadline: Every year from the registration date
Buildings with 3+ units must register with DCA's Bureau of Housing Inspection, post the certificate of registration, and file it annually. BHI inspects multiple dwellings on a 7-, 5- or 2-year cycle depending on violation history.
Who it covers: Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A). The guide does not specify the annual date.
"The law also requires that the owner of each multiple dwelling of three or more units must file a certificate of registration." nj.gov
"This certificate of registration must be filed annually." nj.gov
Notes: Specific annual due date not stated in the source; anchor is the prior registration date (assumption for scheduling).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Smoke/CO alarm compliance certificate before each new tenancy (1-2 family) VerifiedLow confidence
Deadline: Before the unit is leased / before a change of occupancy (new tenant)
Before leasing a 1-2 family home to a new tenant, obtain a smoke alarm/carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local enforcing agency (or the municipal CO that replaces it).
Who it covers: One- and two-family and attached single-family structures. Where the municipality has its own certificate-of-occupancy/inspection, that replaces the state certificate but must verify alarm compliance. Certificate is not transferable; reapply if occupancy change does not occur within six months. CO alarm not required if no fuel-burning appliances and no attached garage.
"Before any one- and two-family or attached single family structure is sold, leased, or otherwise made subject to a change of occupancy for residential purposes, the owner shall obtain a certificate of smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, and portable fire extinguisher compliance" nj.gov
"If the change of occupancy specified in the application for a CSACMAPFEC does not occur within six months, a new application shall be required." nj.gov
"When a one- or two-family dwelling undergoes a change of occupancy such as a sale or change of tenant, and a municipality requires a municipal certificate of occupancy or similar approval," nj.gov
Notes: N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3 as adopted in 2018 (50 N.J.R. 729(a)); later amendments (e.g., P.L. 2025, c.19; certificate now referred to as CSACMASPSIL; portable-extinguisher element changed) mean the current text may differ—confirm current N.J.A.C. text. Statutory basis N.J.S.A. 52:27D-198.1. Confirm the current rule: these quotes come from the 2018 adoption of N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, which has since been amended (the certificate now has a different name and contents). Check the current N.J.A.C. text or your local fire official before relying on the details.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: low · Status: verified · Report a correction
Lead-based paint inspection/lead-safe certification: every 3 years or at tenant turnover (pre-1978) Verified
Deadline: Every 3 years from the last lead safe certification; also: tenant turnover unless a lead-safe certificate (valid 2 years) is still valid
Pre-1978 rentals must be inspected for lead-based paint hazards every three years or at tenant turnover, whichever is first. A turnover inspection is not needed while a lead-safe certificate (valid 2 years) is in effect.
Who it covers: Single-family, two-family and multiple rental dwellings. Exempt: built 1978+, certified lead-free, short seasonal 1-2 family rentals (<6 months/yr, no consecutive renewals), certain multiple dwellings registered with DCA 10+ years without lead violations. Initial inspection deadline was July 22, 2024 (or earlier turnover). Owners must report tenant turnover to the municipality.
"After the initial inspection, all units shall be inspected for lead-based paint hazards every three years, or upon tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. An inspection upon tenant turnover is not required if the owner has a valid lead-safe certificate. Lead-safe certificates are valid for two years." nj.gov
"Dwellings that were constructed during or after 1978." nj.gov
"Property owners must also report all tenant turnover activity to the municipality." nj.gov
Notes: P.L.2021, c.182 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-437.16). Municipalities run or contract the inspections and charge a fee; owners may hire a DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor directly.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Lease notice and periodic notices about window guards (multiple dwellings) Verified
Deadline: Ongoing requirement with no fixed date
Leases must tell tenants that the owner must install window guards on written request where children 10 or younger live, and tenants must receive periodic written notices about the window guard rule.
Who it covers: Hotel and Multiple Dwelling regulations (N.J.A.C. 5:10-27.1). Not seasonal units, owner-occupied units, condos or co-ops. Guards required on request where children 10 or younger live.
"Leases must contain a notice advising tenants that, upon written request by the tenant, the owner is required to provide, install, and maintain window guards in dwelling units with children 10 years of age or younger. In addition, bi-annual written notices must be given to tenants" nj.gov
Notes: DCA guide says 'bi-annual' notices without defining whether that means twice a year or every two years and gives no date; frequency left 'ongoing' pending the regulation text. min_units=3 because the rule sits in the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling regulations, which the same guide applies to buildings with three or more units.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Rent increase requires terminating the lease with a written notice to quit and notice of increase Verified
Deadline: Serve written notice to quit and notice of rent increase before the current lease term ends; exact lead time not stated in the snapshotted guide
To raise rent, the landlord must serve a written notice terminating the current lease and offering a new lease at the higher rent; rent cannot be raised mid-lease.
Who it covers: No statewide rent control; many municipalities (e.g., Newark, Jersey City) have rent control ordinances with their own notice rules. Increase cannot take effect mid-lease and must not be unconscionable. Anti-Eviction Act good cause limits non-renewal (except owner-occupied 2-3 family, seasonal, etc.).
"before an owner can evict a tenant for nonpayment of an increased rent, they must first serve the tenant with a valid notice to quit and notice of rent increase." nj.gov
"A landlord cannot raise the rent mid-lease term." nj.gov
Notes: Notice period not stated in the DCA guide section reviewed; N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2 text was not snapshotted. Do not display a day count until confirmed.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
One day's notice for code-required inspections/repairs (multiple dwellings) Verified
Deadline: Before entering to inspect or make code-required repairs (at least 1 day before)
In multiple dwellings, tenants must allow entry on one day's notice for inspections, repairs or alterations needed to meet code; immediate access in emergencies.
Who it covers: N.J.A.C. 5:10-5.1 (multiple dwellings). Emergencies: immediate access. Otherwise NJ has no general statutory entry-notice period; entry terms come from the lease.
"upon one-day notice, shall allow the landlord or his representative to enter the unit to make any inspections, repairs, or alterations required in order to meet code requirements. In case of an emergency, immediate access shall be granted." nj.gov
"multiple dwelling is a building with three or more independent dwelling units" nj.gov
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction