N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-73
Notice to tenant prior to disposition
Operative Text
2. To dispose of a tenant's property under this act, a landlord shall first give written notice to the tenant, which shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested or by receipted first class mail addressed to the tenant, at the tenant's last known address (which may be the address of the premises) and at any alternate address or addresses known to the landlord, in an envelope endorsed "Please Forward." "Receipted first class mail" for purposes of this section means first class mail for which a certificate of mailing has been obtained by the sender but does not include certified or registered mail. When the property subject to disposal is a manufactured or mobile home, a copy of the notice required pursuant to this section shall also be sent to the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles and to any lienholders with security interests in the property which have been recorded with the Division of Motor Vehicles. L.1999,c.340,s.2.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-73, before a landlord may dispose of a tenant's abandoned or left-behind property, the law requires that written notice first be delivered to the tenant by certified mail with return receipt, or by receipted first-class mail sent to the tenant's last known address and any alternate address the landlord knows. When the property in question is a manufactured or mobile home, additional copies of that notice must go to the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles and to any recorded lienholders. This provision establishes a procedural safeguard ensuring tenants have an opportunity to reclaim their belongings before a landlord takes any disposal action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords operating under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-73 generally send the required written notice via certified mail with return receipt requested, or via receipted first-class mail obtained with a certificate of mailing, to every address associated with the tenant before disposing of any left-behind property. Compliant operators keep records of all mailing receipts and document every address to which notice was sent, including any alternate addresses in their files. When the property includes a manufactured or mobile home, operators also direct copies of the notice to the Division of Motor Vehicles and any known lienholders recorded there.
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:18-73 gives tenants the right to receive written notice before a landlord disposes of any property left behind, and that notice must be sent to the tenant's last known address as well as any alternate address the landlord has on file. If a tenant believes a landlord disposed of property without providing this required notice, that failure may be raised as a legal issue in a civil proceeding or explored with a tenant-rights organization familiar with New Jersey law. Tenants who own a manufactured or mobile home should also be aware that the law requires notice to be sent to the Division of Motor Vehicles and any recorded lienholders, adding an additional layer of procedural protection.
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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