N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-15
Notice requiring respondent to answer charges; place of hearing
Operative Text
In case of failure so to eliminate such practice or discrimination, or in advance thereof if in his judgment circumstances so warrant, the Attorney General shall cause to be issued and served in the name of the division, a written notice, together with a copy of such complaint, as the same may have been amended, requiring the person, employer, labor organization, employment agency, owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent named in such complaint, hereinafter referred to as respondent, to answer the charges of such complaint at a hearing before the director at a time and place to be specified in such notice. The place of any such hearing shall be the office of the Attorney General or such other place as may be designated by him. L.1945, c. 169, p. 595, s. 14. Amended by L.1949, c. 11, p. 45, s. 10; L.1963, c. 40, s. 9.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-15, when a discrimination complaint cannot be resolved informally—or when the Attorney General determines that circumstances require immediate action—the Division on Civil Rights may issue a formal written notice requiring the named respondent to appear and answer the charges at an official hearing. The notice must include a copy of the complaint and specify the time and place of the hearing, which is typically held at the Attorney General's office or another designated location. This provision establishes the procedural mechanism by which civil rights discrimination complaints advance to a formal adjudicatory stage.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners, managers, lessees, and their agents named in a discrimination complaint under N.J.S.A. 10:5-15 may receive a formal written notice from the Division on Civil Rights requiring them to appear at a hearing before the director. Compliant operators generally maintain thorough records of their rental practices and communications so they are prepared to respond to any charges described in such a notice. Upon receiving a hearing notice, operators typically review the accompanying complaint carefully and consult qualified legal counsel familiar with New Jersey civil rights law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-15 supports tenants who have filed discrimination complaints by providing a formal hearing process if the matter is not resolved at an earlier stage. If the Attorney General determines that a hearing is warranted, the respondent—such as a landlord or property manager—is required to appear and formally answer the charges, giving the complaint official weight. Tenants who have filed or are considering filing a complaint may learn more about this process through the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights or a local tenant-rights organization.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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