N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.64
Report of violation, investigation, penalties
Operative Text
3. a. A tenant or prospective tenant may report a violation of the provisions of P.L.2002, c.133 (C.2A:18-61.62 et seq.) to the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The director shall investigate any complaint within 10 days of receipt of the complaint. b. If the director determines that a violation of this act has occurred: (1) a penalty may be assessed against the landlord in an amount equal to six times the monthly rental sought to be imposed upon a tenant in contravention of the "Notice of Rent Protection Emergency"; or (2) any penalties for violations of the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) may be sought by the director. c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections a. and b. of this section, a tenant shall have the right to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to terminate a lease containing a provision in violation of the provisions of P.L.2002, c.133 (C.2A:18-61.62 et seq.). L.2002,c.133,s.3.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.64, tenants and prospective tenants may report violations of New Jersey's rent protection emergency law to the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, who must investigate within 10 days of receiving a complaint. If a violation is confirmed, the director may impose a penalty equal to six times the monthly rent the landlord sought to charge in contravention of the Notice of Rent Protection Emergency, or may pursue penalties under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. Separately, a tenant retains the right to go to court to seek termination of any lease that contains a provision violating the underlying rent protection statute.
Plain English — not legal advice.
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.64 establishes that landlords who charge or attempt to charge rent in violation of a Notice of Rent Protection Emergency face investigation by the Division of Consumer Affairs and potential financial penalties calculated at six times the improperly sought monthly rent. Compliant operators generally ensure that any rent increases or new rental amounts are consistent with applicable emergency rent protection notices before presenting them to tenants or prospective tenants. Operators familiar with this provision also recognize that violations may trigger parallel enforcement under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, which carries its own separate penalty exposure.
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:18-61.64 gives tenants and prospective tenants the ability to file a complaint with the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs if a landlord charges or attempts to charge rent in violation of a Notice of Rent Protection Emergency, with the director required to begin an investigation within 10 days. Beyond the administrative complaint route, this provision also preserves a tenant's right to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to terminate a lease that contains a provision violating the rent protection law. Tenants seeking to understand which path may be appropriate for their circumstances can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.