Cal. Civ. Code § 5:11-3.7
Replacement housing payments for owners
Operative Text
(a) Except as otherwise provided in N.J.A.C. 5:11-2.1(c), an individual who owns and occupies a dwelling unit for a period of not less than 180 days prior to the eligibility date as specified and who vacates the dwelling unit after notice to vacate and as a direct result of the cause of displacement and who purchases and occupies within one year a comparable replacement dwelling unit shall be eligible for a replacement housing payment in an amount not to exceed $ 15,000. (b) The amount of the replacement housing payment is the difference, between the reasonable cost, on the open market, of a comparable replacement dwelling, and the acquisition price (in the case of acquisition) or fair market value (in all other cases). (c) The reasonable cost of a comparable replacement dwelling shall be estimated by any of the following methods at the option of the displacing agency: 1. Three comparables based on the asking price as adjusted for selling price as shown by market study; 2. An area-wide schedule; or 3. An alternative method approved by the Department. (d) In no event shall the amount of the replacement housing payment exceed the actual difference in the actual cost of a decent, safe and sanitary replacement dwelling, including incidental expenses and the acquisition price. (e) If the dwelling unit occupied by the displacee also included an area used for non-residential purposes the amount of the replacement housing payment shall be based on the imputed value of the residential portion of the dwelling unit. (f) The payment shall also include the following elements: 1. The amount, if any, which will compensate a displaced person for any increased interest cost which such person is required to pay for financing the acquisition of a comparable replacement dwelling. Such amount shall be paid only if the dwelling acquired was encumbered by a bona fide, duly recorded mortgage which was a valid lien 180 days prior to the issuance of formal notice to vacate. Such amount shall be equal to the excess in the aggregate interest (and other debt service) of the mortgage on the acquired dwelling, over the remainder of the term of the mortgage on the acquired dwelling, reduced to a discounted percent value. 2. Any other incidental expenses incurred in the purchase of a replacement dwelling.
N.J.A.C. § 5:11-3.7 establishes a replacement housing payment program for owner-occupants who are displaced from their homes. An eligible owner who has lived in the dwelling for at least 180 days before the eligibility date, vacates due to displacement, and purchases a comparable replacement home within one year may receive up to $15,000. The payment is calculated as the difference between the reasonable market cost of a comparable replacement dwelling and the acquisition price or fair market value of the displaced property, and may also cover increased mortgage interest costs and other incidental purchase expenses.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:11-3.7, displacing agencies are responsible for calculating and administering replacement housing payments to eligible owner-occupants. A compliant displacing agency typically documents the acquisition price or fair market value of the displaced property, estimates the reasonable cost of a comparable replacement dwelling using one of the three approved methods (comparables, area-wide schedule, or a Department-approved alternative), and ensures the total payment does not exceed $15,000 or the actual cost difference. When a displaced dwelling includes non-residential space, the agency bases the payment on the imputed value of the residential portion only.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:11-3.7 provides displaced owner-occupants with a right to claim a replacement housing payment of up to $15,000 when they meet the eligibility requirements, including 180 days of prior occupancy and purchasing a replacement home within one year. Displaced owners may also be entitled to reimbursement for increased mortgage interest costs and incidental purchase expenses as part of this payment. Those who believe they qualify or have questions about how their payment was calculated can contact the displacing agency directly, reach out to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, or consult a tenant- or homeowner-rights organization familiar with relocation assistance programs.
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.
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