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 related to 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 tenants are expected to pay and requires landlords to provide an itemized written disclosure of these 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 related documents. 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 private legal action against landlords or brokerage firms for violations, enabling them to recover the same penalties along with reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs. The legislation is designed to promote transparency in rental agreements and protect tenants from unexpected financial burdens related to brokerage services, taking effect immediately upon passage.

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