The proposed Landlord Registration and Tenant Protection Act aims to enhance the landlord registration process and improve tenant protections in New Jersey. It requires landlords to file a certificate of registration within seven days of becoming a landlord, which must include detailed information such as mailing addresses, primary residence, and emergency contacts. Landlords are also mandated to provide tenants with a copy of the registration certificate and display it in accessible locations within the rental premises. The bill emphasizes the importance of timely updates to registration information, requiring landlords to file amended certificates within ten business days of any changes.

Additionally, the bill introduces stricter inspection protocols, mandating that the Commissioner of Community Affairs notify landlords of significant violations within 48 hours, with a specified timeframe for corrections. Significant violations are defined as conditions that threaten tenant health or safety. The bill modifies penalties for non-compliance, reducing the first offense penalty to $100, with subsequent offenses increasing to $500 and $1,000. It also allows municipalities to meet a portion of their affordable housing obligations through the rehabilitation of substandard units for low-income rentals, while repealing outdated sections of law to consolidate these new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 46:8-27, 46:8-28, 46:8-28.1, 46:8-28.2, 46:8-28.3, 46:8-29, 46:8-31, 46:8-32, 46:8-33, 46:8-35, 55:13A-16