This bill establishes a new offense of harassment against residential tenants, outlining specific actions that constitute harassment, including creating unsafe living conditions, interfering with a tenant's peace, committing acts of violence, and using coercive tactics to force a tenant to vacate. Penalties for those found guilty can range from a disorderly persons offense to a third-degree crime, depending on the severity and frequency of the violations. A rebuttable presumption of harassment is created if a landlord engages in prohibited conduct within six months of a tenant asserting their rights or filing a complaint.

Additionally, the bill expands the liability of members of limited liability companies (LLCs) that own residential rental properties, making those with at least a 10 percent interest jointly and severally liable for harassment violations. It allows for civil actions against landlords, mandates that every residential lease includes a copy of the harassment provisions, and empowers municipalities to enforce these regulations. The bill also requires the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs to compile and report data on harassment charges and convictions, ensuring transparency and accountability in addressing tenant harassment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 46:8-28, 42:2C-30