Cal. Civ. Code § 5:11-2.4
Displacement caused by public utilities
Operative Text
Whenever a public utility acquires real property that causes the displacement of persons, businesses or farm operations the public utility shall provide relocation payments and assistance as provided in subchapter 3 of this chapter. The date of eligibility shall be the date of initiation of negotiations.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:11-2.4, when a public utility acquires real property and that acquisition forces residents, businesses, or farm operations to relocate, the utility is obligated to provide relocation payments and assistance in accordance with the standards set out in Subchapter 3 of the same chapter. The point at which a displaced party becomes eligible for those benefits is tied to the date the utility first initiates acquisition negotiations, not a later milestone such as a final sale or transfer of title.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers whose tenants are displaced by a public utility acquisition should be aware that N.J.A.C. § 5:11-2.4 places the relocation payment and assistance obligations squarely on the acquiring utility, not on the private landlord. Compliant operators generally document the timeline of any utility-initiated contact or negotiation, since that date establishes when displaced occupants become eligible for benefits. Keeping clear records of when negotiations began can help all parties establish eligibility under Subchapter 3 of this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:11-2.4 gives tenants displaced by a public utility's property acquisition the right to relocation payments and assistance as defined in Subchapter 3 of the same chapter. Eligibility begins on the date the utility first initiates negotiations, so documenting any early communications from the utility can be important for establishing a claim. Tenants who believe they are owed relocation benefits may consider contacting the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs or a local tenant-rights organization to understand the process for asserting those rights.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.