N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.1c
5-year restriction
Operative Text
The Department of Community Affairs shall not approve an application for registration of conversion pursuant to "The Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act," P.L. 1977, c. 419 (C. 45:22A-21 et seq.) for any premises for a period of five years following the date on which any dwelling unit in the premises becomes vacant after notice has been given that the owner seeks to permanently board up or demolish the premises or seeks to retire permanently the premises from residential use pursuant to subsection g.(1) or h. of section 2 of P.L. 1974, c. 49 (C. 2A:18-61.1). Within five days of the date on which any owner provides notice of termination to a tenant pursuant to subsection g.(1) or h. of section 2 of P.L. 1974, c. 49 (C. 2A:18-61.1), the owner shall provide a copy of the notice to the Department of Community Affairs. L. 1986, c. 138, s. 3, eff. Oct. 29, 1986.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.1c, when a property owner gives notice of intent to permanently board up, demolish, or retire a residential building from residential use, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is barred from approving any condominium or planned real estate conversion registration for that property for five years after a unit becomes vacant following such notice. The provision also requires the owner to send a copy of any termination notice to the Department of Community Affairs within five days of delivering it to a tenant. This creates a cooling-off period intended to prevent owners from using demolition or retirement notices as a pretext for quickly converting residential buildings to other uses.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.1c should be aware that once a termination notice citing permanent boarding, demolition, or retirement from residential use is served on a tenant, a copy of that notice must be delivered to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs within five days. Compliant operators also understand that pursuing a conversion registration under the Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act for the same premises will be blocked for five years from the date a unit becomes vacant following such a notice. Keeping accurate records of notice dates and submission receipts to the Department is a standard practice for operators navigating this provision.
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:18-61.1c provides tenants with a structural protection: if an owner serves notice of intent to permanently board up, demolish, or retire a building from residential use, the state is prohibited from approving a conversion registration for that property for five years after a unit vacates. Tenants who receive such a notice can verify whether the owner has complied with the five-day requirement to notify the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and may raise any non-compliance as relevant in proceedings before a court or housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices familiar with New Jersey landlord-tenant law can help residents understand how this provision may apply to their circumstances.
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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