N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.50
Termination of protected tenancy
Operative Text
11. a. The administrative agency shall terminate the protected tenancy status authorized under the provisions of this act immediately upon finding that: (1) the dwelling unit is no longer the principal residence of the tenant, or (2) the tenant's annual household income exceeds the maximum amount permitted for qualification. b. Upon presentation to the administrative agency of credible evidence that a tenant is no longer qualified for protected tenancy status under this act, the administrative agency shall proceed, in accordance with such regulations and procedures as the department shall adopt and prescribe for use in such cases, to investigate and make a determination as to the continuance of that status. c. Upon the termination of the protected tenancy status by the administrative agency, the tenant may be removed from the dwelling unit pursuant to P.L.1974, c.49 (C.2A:18-61.1 et al.), except that all notice and other times set forth therein shall be calculated and extend from the date of the expiration or termination of the protected tenancy period, or the date of the expiration of the last lease entered into with the tenant during the protected tenancy period, whichever shall be later. d. Any protection afforded to a person under the "Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act," P.L.1981, c.226 (C.2A:18-61.22 et al.) shall remain in full force and effect. If the administrative agency determines that a tenant is no longer qualified for protected tenancy under that act, the administrative agency shall proceed to determine the eligibility of that tenant under the "Tenant Protection Act of 1992," P.L.1991, c.509 (C.2A:18-61.40 et al.), or, in any case in which the administrative agency is not the same as the agency administering the "Tenant Protection Act of 1992" in the municipality, shall refer the case to the appropriate administrative agency for such determination. If the tenant is found by such determination to be eligible, his protected tenancy status shall be continued. The protected tenancy status of the tenant shall remain in full force pending such determination. L.1991,c.509,s.11.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.50, a protected tenancy status granted to qualifying tenants can be ended by the administrative agency when the dwelling unit is no longer the tenant's principal residence or when the tenant's household income rises above the eligibility threshold. Before terminating status, the agency must investigate upon receiving credible evidence of disqualification, following prescribed procedures. Once status is terminated, standard eviction notice timelines under New Jersey's anti-eviction law begin running from the later of the protected tenancy's expiration or the last lease's expiration, and any overlapping protections under the Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act are preserved and evaluated separately.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.50, compliant property owners who believe a tenant no longer qualifies for protected tenancy status — because the unit is no longer the tenant's principal residence or because household income now exceeds the limit — present credible evidence of that fact to the administrative agency rather than acting unilaterally. Operators generally document changes in residency or income carefully, since the agency must conduct its own investigation and make a formal determination before status is terminated. Once the agency terminates protected tenancy status, notice and removal timelines are calculated from the later of the protected tenancy period's expiration or the last lease's expiration, so property owners track those dates precisely.
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:18-61.50 establishes that a tenant's protected tenancy status cannot simply be revoked without an administrative investigation — the agency must receive credible evidence and follow formal procedures before making any termination determination. Tenants retain the right to have overlapping protections, such as those under the Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act, evaluated before or alongside any determination under the Tenant Protection Act of 1992, and protected tenancy status remains in force while that review is pending. Tenants who receive notice of a potential termination of their protected status may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the investigation process and available responses under this provision.
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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