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Landlord Registration

Landlord Registration, N.J.S.A. 46:8-26 et seq

  1. The landlord registration requirement applies to all rental premises or units used for dwelling purposes except owner-occupied premises with not more than two (2) rental units.
  2. Within thirty (30) days of transfer of ownership, or creation of new apartments, owner must file appropriate registration statements with:
    1. The Municipal Clerk of the municipality, or with such other municipal official as is designated by the Municipal Clerk, in which the residential property is situated for one or two family non-owner occupied rental dwelling; 12/02
  3. For dwellings with more than two (2) rental units:
    1. Landlord must go to the Bureau of Housing Inspection in the Department of Community Affairs.
    2. DCA sends copy of filed statement to Municipal Clerk for the public records of the municipality.

Certificate of Registration

  1. Certificate of Registration shall show the following information:
    1. The name and address of the record owner(s) of the premises and the record owner(s) of the rental business if not the same person.
    2. In the case of a partnership, the names and addresses of all general partners shall be provided;
    3. In the case of a corporation, the name and address of the registered agent and corporate officers of said corporation shall be provided.
  2. If the address of any record owner is not located in the county in which the premises are located, the name and address of a person who resides in the county in which the premises are located and is authorized to accept notices from a tenant and to issue receipts therefor and accept service of process on behalf of the record owner shall be provided.
  3. The name and address of the managing agent of the premises, if any
  4. The name and address, including the dwelling unit, apartment or room number, of the superintendent, janitor, custodian or other individual employed by the record owner or managing agent to provide regular maintenance service, if any.
  5. The name, address and telephone number of an individual representative of the record owner or managing agent who may be reached or contacted at any time in the event of an emergency affecting the premises or any unit of dwelling space therein, including such emergencies as the failure of any essential service or system, and who has the authority to make emergency decisions concerning the building and any repairs thereto or expenditure in connection therewith.
  6. The name and address of every holder of a recorded mortgage on the premises.
  7. If fuel oil is used to heat the building and the landlord furnishes the heat in the building, the name and address of the fuel oil dealer servicing the building and the grade of fuel oil used.

Amendment of Certificate

  1. After any change in the information required to be included, every landlord shall file an amended certificate of registration within twenty (20) days of the change. 

Certificate of Registration and Amendment to Tenants 

  1. At the time of filing a Certificate of Registration, the landlord shall provide each occupant or tenant in the premises with a copy of the Certificate of Registration.
  2. Upon the filing of an amendment to a Certificate of Registration, the landlord shall provide each occupant or tenant in the premises with a copy of the Amended Certificate of Registration within seven (7) days of filing.

Eviction/Possession of Premises 

  1. In any action for possession instituted by a landlord who has failed to comply with the provisions of this act, no judgment for possession shall be entered until there has been compliance.
  2. The Court shall continue such case for up to ninety (90) days, and if there has not been compliance within such period, the action is dismissed.

Certificate on File, Available for Public Inspection 

  1. Upon filing of a Certificate of Registration with the Municipal Clerk or with such other municipal official as is designated by the Municipal Clerk, the Municipal Clerk or designated official shall index and file the certificate and make it reasonably available for public inspection. 12/02
  2. Upon filing of a Certificate of Registration with the Bureau of Housing, the Bureau shall validate the Certificate and issue a validated copy to the landlord and a validated copy to the Municipal Clerk of the municipality or such other municipal official as is designated by the Municipal Clerk in which the building is located. The Municipal Clerk shall index and file them or forward them to the designated official for indexing, and the certificates shall be made available for public inspection. 12/02