This bill amends the definition of "landlord" in New Jersey law to include owners and operators of rooming and boarding houses, thereby allowing municipalities to enforce standards of responsibility for these types of housing. The revised definition specifies that a "landlord" now encompasses not only those who own buildings with fewer than four dwelling units but also those who manage rooming and boarding houses, as defined by existing law. This change aims to ensure that all landlords, regardless of the type of property they manage, are held to similar standards of conduct, promoting community welfare and stability.

The bill also clarifies that municipalities retain the authority to adopt ordinances aimed at addressing issues related to irresponsible rentals, which can disrupt community peace. While the new definition expands the scope of who is considered a landlord, it does not alter the applicability of existing municipal ordinances. If a municipality has already enacted an ordinance under the current law, it will need to create a new ordinance specifically addressing the responsibilities of rooming and boarding house owners and operators. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and will apply to ordinances adopted thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40:48-2.12