The proposed Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act seeks to improve the quality of rental housing in New Jersey by imposing stricter regulations on landlords to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions. Key provisions include a requirement for landlords to register with detailed ownership and management information, particularly emphasizing that those accepting rental subsidies must be registered for at least 90 days before receiving state funding or tax benefits for property rehabilitation. The bill also mandates that courts verify if landlords receive rental subsidies in cases where tenants claim violations of the warranty of habitability, allowing for tenant rent payments to be deposited with a court-appointed administrator to address any defects.

Additionally, the legislation introduces a tiered inspection system for multiple dwellings, enabling the Commissioner of Community Affairs to classify properties based on their compliance history. It requires landlords to update their registration within 20 days of any changes and to certify its accuracy annually, with penalties for non-compliance. The bill also outlines a framework for inspections, including the establishment of self-inspection standards for condominium associations and the issuance of certificates of acceptance for compliant buildings. Overall, the bill aims to enhance tenant safety, ensure compliance with housing standards, and improve transparency in the inspection process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 46:8-28, 46:8-28.2, 55:13A-12, 55:13A-13, 55:13A-16, 55:13A-8, 55:13A-20