New Jersey Lease Agreement Create a New Jersey Lease Agreement

New Jersey Lease Agreement

Published Dec 08, 2025
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A New Jersey Lease Agreement is a legal form that outlines the rental arrangement between a landlord and tenant, detailing the terms, responsibilities, and conditions for leasing property in New Jersey.

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NEW JERSEY LEASE AGREEMENT

I. THE PARTIES

This Residential Lease Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on the day of ______________, 20____, by and between:

Landlord:
("Landlord"), with a mailing address of:

Tenant(s):
("Tenant").

II. THE PROPERTY

The Landlord agrees to lease to the Tenant, and the Tenant agrees to lease from the Landlord, the following property ("Premises"):

Street Address:
City: State: New Jersey Zip Code:
Unit/Apartment Number (if applicable):

The Premises includes the following additional storage or parking space (if any):

III. TERM OF LEASE

The term of this Agreement shall be (check one):

IV. RENT

The Tenant agrees to pay the Landlord rent in the amount of $ per month.

Payment Due Date: Rent is due on the day of each month.

Payment Method: Rent shall be paid by:

payable to: .

Mailing Address for Rent (if applicable):

Late Fee: If rent is not paid within days after the due date, Tenant agrees to pay a late charge of $.

*Note: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:42-6.1, a grace period of five (5) business days is mandatory for tenants receiving Social Security Old Age Pensions, Railroad Retirement Pensions, or other governmental pensions in lieu of Social Security.*

V. SECURITY DEPOSIT

Amount: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of $ as security for the performance of Tenant's obligations under this Agreement.

*Note: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2, the security deposit may not exceed one and one-half (1.5) times the monthly rent.*

Banking Information (REQUIRED BY N.J.S.A. 46:8-19):
The Security Deposit will be held in an interest-bearing account at the following financial institution:

Name of Bank:
Address of Bank:
Account Type:
Current Annual Interest Rate: %

The Landlord shall notify the Tenant within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Security Deposit of the name and address of the banking institution where the deposit is held.

Return of Deposit: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1, the Landlord shall return the Security Deposit (plus accrued interest, less any allowable deductions) to the Tenant within thirty (30) days after the termination of this Agreement and delivery of possession of the Premises to the Landlord.

VI. UTILITIES AND SERVICES

Responsibility for payment of utilities and services shall be as follows:

Electricity:

Gas/Heat:

Water/Sewer:

Trash Removal:

Cable/Internet:

Snow Removal:

Lawn Care:

VII. FURNISHINGS

The Premises is being leased:

VIII. USE OF PREMISES

The Premises shall be used and occupied by the Tenant(s) and the following minor children/occupants exclusively as a private single-family residence:

Guest Policy: Guests may not stay more than days without prior written consent of the Landlord.

IX. PETS

X. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

Tenant's Responsibility: Tenant shall keep the Premises in a clean and sanitary condition. Tenant is responsible for minor repairs and damages caused by Tenant's negligence or misuse.

Landlord's Responsibility: Landlord shall be responsible for maintaining the structural soundness of the Premises and all major systems (plumbing, electrical, heating) in good working order in accordance with New Jersey State Housing Codes.

XI. REQUIRED NEW JERSEY DISCLOSURES

A. TRUTH IN RENTING ACT (N.J.S.A. 46:8-46):
(Applicable only if the building has more than 2 residential units and is not owner-occupied).

If applicable, Landlord shall provide Tenant with a copy of the booklet "Truth in Renting" regarding the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords in New Jersey.

B. WINDOW GUARD NOTIFICATION (N.J.A.C. 5:10-27.1):
**THE OWNER (LANDLORD) IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE, INSTALL AND MAINTAIN WINDOW GUARDS IN THE APARTMENT IF A CHILD OR CHILDREN 10 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER IS, OR WILL BE, LIVING IN THE APARTMENT OR IS, OR WILL BE, REGULARLY PRESENT THERE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME IF THE TENANT GIVES THE OWNER (LANDLORD) A WRITTEN REQUEST THAT THE WINDOW GUARDS BE INSTALLED. THE OWNER (LANDLORD) IS ALSO REQUIRED, UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE TENANT, TO PROVIDE, INSTALL AND MAINTAIN WINDOW GUARDS IN THE HALLWAYS TO

SIGNATURES

Landlord Signature: _________________________
Print Name: _______________
Date:

Tenant Signature: _________________________
Print Name: _______________
Date:

What is a New Jersey Lease Agreement?

A New Jersey lease agreement is a legally binding contract executed between a landlord and a tenant that outlines the terms and conditions for the rental of a residential or commercial property within the state. This document serves as the primary governing instrument for the tenancy, detailing critical obligations such as the monthly rent amount, payment schedules, property maintenance responsibilities, and the duration of the occupancy. Property owners and management companies utilize this agreement to secure their assets and ensure regulatory compliance, while tenants rely on it to understand their rights and housing security under state law.

Statutory Framework and Legal Compliance

The landlord-tenant relationship in New Jersey is governed by a complex set of statutes that are generally considered highly protective of tenant rights. The primary legislative framework includes the Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) and the Truth-in-Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43). Unlike many other states, New Jersey law prohibits landlords from evicting residential tenants without "good cause," even after a lease term expires, provided the tenant continues to pay rent and abide by reasonable lease changes. Furthermore, federal laws such as the Fair Housing Act prevent discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, familial status, or disability.

Security Deposit Regulations

Financial interactions regarding security deposits are strictly regulated under the Rent Security Deposit Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). In a New Jersey lease agreement, a landlord may not charge a security deposit exceeding one and a half times the monthly rent. If the landlord raises the rent annually, they may require additional security deposit funds, but this increase is capped at 10% of the current security deposit amount per year. Landlords are legally mandated to hold these funds in an interest-bearing account or a money market fund within the state and must notify the tenant of the bank's name and address within 30 days of receipt. Upon the termination of the lease, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit along with any accrued interest, less any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear.

Mandatory Disclosures in New Jersey

For a lease to be fully compliant, specific disclosures must be provided to the tenant prior to or at the time of signing. These requirements ensure transparency regarding the condition of the property and the legal rights of the occupants.

  • Truth in Renting Act: Landlords in buildings with more than two rental units (unless owner-occupied) must distribute the Department of Community Affairs' "Truth in Renting" guide.
  • Flood Zone: The landlord must disclose if the property is located in a FEMA-designated flood zone.
  • Window Guards: Leases must include a notice informing tenants of their right to request window guards if a child 10 years of age or younger resides in the unit.
  • Lead-Based Paint: Pursuant to federal law, any property built before 1978 must include a lead paint disclosure and an EPA information pamphlet.

Required Elements of a Valid New Jersey Lease Agreement

While the specific clauses may vary depending on the property type, a standardized New Jersey lease agreement generally must contain specific elements to be enforceable in court. Missing these components can lead to ambiguities that are often interpreted against the drafting party, usually the landlord.

  • Party Identification: Full legal names of the landlord and all adult tenants.
  • Property Description: The specific address and unit number of the premises.
  • Term of Tenancy: The start and end dates of the lease, or specification of a month-to-month arrangement.
  • Rent Specifics: The total amount due, due date, acceptable payment methods, and any grace periods.
  • Rights of Entry: Clauses specifying the notice period required before a landlord enters the unit (typically reasonable notice, often interpreted as 24 hours).
  • Signatures: Dated signatures from all parties involved.

Eviction and Lease Termination

New Jersey is distinct in its approach to lease termination. Under the Anti-Eviction Act, landlords cannot simply choose not to renew a lease for a compliant tenant. Eviction proceedings can only be initiated for specific statutory causes, such as nonpayment of rent, disorderly conduct, destruction of property, or violation of reasonable lease rules and regulations. If a landlord wishes to terminate a tenancy for reasons such as taking the property off the rental market or personal occupancy, they must provide strictly timed notices to quit, the duration of which varies based on the specific ground for eviction cited in the statute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, verbal lease agreements are valid in New Jersey for tenancies of less than three years. However, written agreements are strongly recommended to clearly define terms and avoid disputes regarding rent, duration, and responsibilities.
A landlord cannot charge more than one and a half times the monthly rent as a security deposit. This limit is established by the Rent Security Deposit Act to protect tenants from excessive upfront costs.
While New Jersey statutes do not specify an exact timeframe for non-emergencies, state courts generally hold that landlords must provide "reasonable notice," which is typically interpreted as at least one day (24 hours) prior to entry.
Yes, under the concept of the "implied warranty of habitability," tenants may withhold rent or use a "repair and deduct" remedy if the landlord fails to fix vital facilities like heat, water, or electricity, provided proper notice is given and the funds are kept in escrow.
New Jersey law does not set a specific cap on late fees, but courts require them to be "reasonable" (usually not exceeding 5% of the rent). Additionally, senior citizens receiving Social Security or other government pensions are legally entitled to a five-day grace period.
Yes, under the New Jersey Safe Housing Act, a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence may terminate their lease early by providing written notice and specific documentation, such as a restraining order or police report, to the landlord.

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