This bill aims to enhance protections for residential tenants in New Jersey by prohibiting landlords and brokerage firms from imposing certain costs related to 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 of leasing, or posting listings that imply such fees are necessary. Furthermore, the bill mandates that all rental listings clearly disclose any fees that tenants are expected to pay 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 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 penalties, reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, and related expenses. The legislation is designed to promote transparency and fairness in the rental market, protecting tenants from unexpected financial burdens associated with brokerage services, and will take effect immediately upon passage.

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