Southern New Jersey Overlook

The following news relase was received from our state Realtor association, updating it's members on the status of a New Jersey state bill that if passed will directly impact landlords and tenants. The question is still, how forceful it will be and in what form?...

On February 14, 2008, the New Jersey Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee passed S164 - Bucco (R25), Gill (D34) with NJAR® amendments. The bill allows a municipality to impose upon landlords and/or tenants who have violated occupancy requirements an overcrowding fine.

During the last legislative session, NJA® secured amendments excluding seasonal rental units from the bill, as well as amendments stating that tenants can also be fined for violating occupancy requirements, and when tenants would be responsible for an overcrowding violation.

At the committee hearing on February 14, NJAR® also secured an amendment to extend the implementation of the law for six months, in order to allow time to make the updated contracts and rental agreements available to NJAR® members.

The bill now heads to the full Senate.    (Source: NJAR, bold lettering added)


Whether you are a landlord or a tenant you need to follow this legislation closely.  As with all legislation, it has a positive goal to correct overcrowding conditions that effect the health, safety and property of the occupants and the community. However, legislation can also have negative impacts if not thought out carefully and fully, and if implemented improperly.

Another AR member has written a blog article, Fine the Landlord $5,000 for Overcrowded Units in NJ, in which he raises the red flag about what he sees as potential abuses in it's enforcement.

If you are a landlord or tenant, you should read the proposed bill (see link above) carefully to see how it might effect you and make your thoughts known to your state representative. 



For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
   
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
 
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.