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. Specifically, it 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 of leasing, or posting listings that suggest such fees are necessary. Furthermore, the bill mandates that all rental listings must clearly disclose any fees that tenants are required to pay, and landlords must provide an itemized written disclosure of these fees prior to executing a rental agreement.

To ensure compliance, landlords are required to affirm their adherence to these provisions under penalty of perjury in rental applications and Truth-in-Renting Statements. Violations will be 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 private legal action against landlords or brokerage firms for violations, enabling them to recover the same penalties along with reasonable attorneys' fees and related expenses. The legislation is designed to promote transparency and fairness in the rental market, protecting tenants from unexpected financial burdens.

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