New Jersey Statutes Annotated Title 2A Chapter 33 — Distress for Rent
N.J.S.A. 2A:33 (~23 sections): New Jersey Distress for Rent — the common-law remedy allowing a landlord to seize a tenant's personal property on the leased premises as security for unpaid rent, without prior court order. FLAGGED FOR REVIEW: constitutional validity is uncertain following Fuentes v. Shevin, 407 U.S. 67 (1972) (pre-judgment seizure without notice violates Due Process). NJ courts have not definitively upheld the full 2A:33 procedure post-Fuentes. Ingested for completeness as a primary source; sections carry manual-review flag in the audit log. Do not rely on these provisions for compliance guidance without independent legal review. Confirmed ~23 sections in TOC as of 2026-10-06.
Provisions (23)
§ 2A:33-1
Authorized distraints; liability for wrongful distraint; prohibition on money owed on lease of residence
§ 2A:33-10
Sale of distrained property; notice
§ 2A:33-11
Impounding and sale on premises
§ 2A:33-12
Selection of articles to be exempted; when by appraisers
§ 2A:33-13
Procedure if landlord fails to proceed with appraisement; selection
§ 2A:33-14
Officers aiding in execution; fees
§ 2A:33-15
Distress for residue
§ 2A:33-16
Pound breach or rescue; remedy; damages
§ 2A:33-17
Wrongful distress and sale for rent; remedy
§ 2A:33-18
Wrongful acts after distraint for rent; remedy; damages
§ 2A:33-19
Actions against distrainor; double costs in certain cases
§ 2A:33-2
Place of impounding chattels
§ 2A:33-20
Distraint of property removed; bona fide purchasers
§ 2A:33-21
Liability of tenant for removing or concealing property subject to distraint
§ 2A:33-22
Seizure of property locked up; breaking and entering
§ 2A:33-23
Remedy where rent apportionable
§ 2A:33-3
Exemptions
§ 2A:33-4
Impounding of strays
§ 2A:33-5
Distraint for levying of penalty inflicted or money directed to be paid by law; warrant and sale by judge or magistrate
§ 2A:33-6
Property subject to distraint for rent
§ 2A:33-7
Limitation of right to distrain for rent
§ 2A:33-8
Distraint after term or estate ended
§ 2A:33-9