New Jersey is a tenant-friendly state, and residential lease agreements are subject to certain disclosures and other rules and regulations that can adversely affect either or both the landlord and tenant if the rules are not followed.
The residential lease agreement lawyers at GLR&W in Mount Holly help landlords to negotiate and draft residential lease agreements that protect both parties in the residential property lease arrangement. Understanding the applicable rules and regulations is the first step in that process. This includes understanding the rights of tenants as well.
Landlord Disclosure Requirements in New Jersey
Virtually all residential lease agreements will include provisions that address the duration of the lease and monthly rent payments. Beyond these basic provisions, depending on the building’s characteristics, a New Jersey residential lease may need to disclose, among other matters:
- Whether the property is in a flood zone
- The tenant’s legal rights and responsibilities
- The tenant’s right to request child safety locks on windows
In addition, New Jersey state law limits how much of a security deposit the landlord can require and when that deposit must be returned. Consistent with the tenant-friendly attitude, other NJ laws and regulations regulate a landlord’s right to charge late fees for nonpayment of rent and a tenant’s right to withhold rent if requested repairs go answered. Parties may not avoid compliance with these statutory and regulatory obligations, but your GLR&W residential lease agreement lawyer will approve only lease agreements that ensure our clients fair and equitable resolution.
Other Matters that Affect NJ Residential Lease Relationships
New Jersey has codified other matters to protect tenants in residential leasing arrangements, including:
- Landlords must give tenants one day’s notice before entering a leased premises to make repairs
- A landlord cannot retaliate against a tenant that complains to authorities about the condition of the premises
- Tenants that are victims of domestic violence receive greater protection from eviction
- Landlords are limited with respect to what they can do with abandoned personal property
- Under both federal and state law, landlords cannot discriminate against a tenant on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, and other protected classes.
Residential Lease Types
Fixed-term lease agreements, under which a tenant has a property right for a set amount of time, are the most common type of residential lease. If a tenant breaks a fixed-term lease before it expires, that tenant might still owe the balance of the rent to the landlord.
Month-to-month residential lease agreements offer an alternative to the fixed-term model. They typically allow either the landlord or the tenant to terminate the lease with prior requisite notice on a month-to-month basis.
If more than one tenant resides on the premises, a landlord might consider offering the tenants either a joint lease or separate individual leases. In any case, a New Jersey residential leasing attorney is a landlord’s best resource to help determine the ideal duration for your unique situation.
Call New Jersey Eviction Law for Assistance with Your Residential Lease
The residential leasing attorneys at GLR&W in New Jersey understand that New Jersey landlords have high bar of legal responsibility when it comes to their tenants. To that end, we help negotiate, draft, and review residential lease agreements to ensure the most fair and equitable terms on their behalf. We hold landlords responsible for the same standards that we attack on behalf our tenant clients.
If you have questions about a residential lease agreement or need assistance with any matters involving a New jersey residential lease, please contact GLR&W in New Jersey. Please complete this form or by calling us directly to schedule a consultation.