This bill seeks to enhance protections for residential tenants in New Jersey by prohibiting landlords and brokerage firms from imposing certain costs associated with brokerage services. It specifically forbids these entities from passing on fees, commissions, or charges for brokerage services to tenants, requiring tenants to engage a brokerage firm as a condition for leasing, or posting listings that suggest such fees are necessary. Furthermore, the bill mandates clear disclosure of any fees tenants are expected to pay in rental listings and requires landlords to provide an itemized written disclosure of any fees prior to signing a rental agreement.

To ensure compliance, landlords must affirm their adherence to these provisions under penalty of perjury in rental applications and Truth-in-Renting Statements. Violations are classified as unlawful practices under New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act, with penalties set at a minimum of $5,000 or three times the amount of any improperly charged fees. The bill also allows tenants to pursue legal action against landlords or brokerage firms for violations, enabling them to recover penalties, reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, and other related expenses. The bill is designed to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45:15-16.86, 45:15-16.96