N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.16a
Rent defined
Operative Text
"Rent" means the amount currently payable by the tenant to the landlord pursuant to lease or other agreement, without regard to any modification thereof by any authorized board or agency, or any court. L.1981, c. 495, s. 4; expired as a supplement to 1978,c.139 by operation of s.10 of 1978, c.139 as amended by 1984,c.177.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.16a, 'rent' is defined as the amount a tenant currently owes a landlord under a lease or other agreement, measured before any adjustments made by a rent board, government agency, or court. This definition anchors the baseline figure to the contractual obligation between the parties, not to any officially modified amount. The provision was enacted in 1981 and later expired as a supplement to the 1978 rent-control framework by operation of law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under New Jersey's eviction and rent statutes should be aware that N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.16a defines 'rent' as the contractually agreed amount, not a figure that has been reduced or altered by a rent board, agency, or court order. Compliant operators typically document the original lease amount separately from any officially adjusted figures so that the baseline contractual rent is clearly identifiable. Keeping clear records of both the lease-stated rent and any board-approved modifications helps avoid confusion when the statutory definition of 'rent' becomes relevant in a legal proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.16a establishes that 'rent,' for purposes of this statute, is the amount set by the lease or agreement—not a lower figure that may have been set by a rent board or court. Tenants should understand that this definition can affect how rent-related claims or eviction proceedings are calculated, since the baseline is the contractual amount rather than any officially adjusted rate. Those with questions about how this definition interacts with local rent control protections may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with New Jersey housing law.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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